Recent Streetsblog DENVER posts about transit-oriented development

The last electric streetcar, owned by the Denver Tramway Company, in existence. Photo: Denver Public Library Western History Digital Collection

Watch Denver’s Historic Streetcar Network Grow Rapidly — Then Disappear

By David Sachs | Aug 21, 2017 | 30 Comments

Just as the streetcar lines shaped neighborhood development in the first part of the 20th century, automobiles shaped the city in the second. But while streetcars encouraged close-knit, walkable places, cars encouraged sprawling, drivable development.

The Lakewood-Wadsworth RTD station is surrounded by a monolithic parking structure, a gas station, and general low density. Image: Google Maps

Instead of Turning People Away, Suburban Denver Could Surround Rail Stations With Transit-Oriented Development

By David Sachs | Jun 28, 2017 | 8 Comments

If the people running these localities don't embrace new people, there's good reason to believe that low suburban ridership will stay low, because the people running these localities don't seem to want new people moving in.

One of the Urban Land Conservancy's completed projects, the Evans Station Lofts, created 50 apartments with rents between $380 and $850. Image: Urban Land Conservancy

A Model to Keep Homes Near Transit Affordable

By David Sachs | Feb 13, 2017 | 6 Comments

Housing is in short supply in Denver, and that applies to the areas near transit stations, where people are willing to pay a premium. Will the new transit-oriented development at 48th and Race be affordable to Denverites on the lower half of the income spectrum?

University Station, where car storage is king. Image: Google Maps

Retrofitting University and Colorado Light Rail Stations for People

By David Sachs | Jan 18, 2017 | 7 Comments

The two RTD stations are along the E, F, and H lines and combine for more than 9,000 trips per day. But ridership could be much higher if the stations were accessible.

The light pink areas around RTD rail stations represent areas where people should be able to walk to the train easily, but can't because of indirect walking routes thanks to things like parking lots and highways. Image: City and County of Denver

Denver’s Unwalkable Rail Network, Visualized

By David Sachs | Dec 13, 2016 | 6 Comments

Only 8 percent of Denverites live within a half-mile of a rail station -- about a 10-minute walk -- "despite growth in rail transit in Denver over the last 15 years."

How Can the Denver Region Prevent Displacement Around Transit?

By David Sachs | Oct 11, 2016 | 1 Comment

It makes a lot of sense to build walkable development around transit stations. Otherwise, few people will be able to live near transit, and you’ll never have a transit system that enables people to get to work or do their shopping without a car. But as the convenience of good transit access becomes more highly valued, how do you […]

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