Thursday, June 28, 2007
Downtown Denver's Worst Parking Lot Candidate #1 - Block 039
Today we'll begin our review of the five most-nominated "worst parking lots" in Downtown Denver. After I've profiled all five, then will have the vote.
Some of the five have physical conditions that are just atrocious. Some have slightly better conditions but have locations that significantly disrupt the flow of Downtown's urban form. Some have both. Needless to say, the five we'll be looking at are just the tip of the iceburg. Almost 30 different parking lots were nominated, and virtually no one ventured into Northeast Downtown (aka Arapahoe Square), that sea of asphalt between 20th and Park Avenue that could easily dominate any "worst parking lot" competition.
Anyway, starting in no particular order, here's our first candidate for Downtown Denver's Worst Parking Lot: Block 039 in Lower Downtown.
Here's a color aerial:
The property in question is owned by Blecker LLC ("Bleaker" would be more appropriate) and the parking lot is managed by Central Parking Systems. Here's a composite of images from the site (click and expand to view at full size):
The large chunks of loose asphalt are a nice touch, don't you think?
Some of the five have physical conditions that are just atrocious. Some have slightly better conditions but have locations that significantly disrupt the flow of Downtown's urban form. Some have both. Needless to say, the five we'll be looking at are just the tip of the iceburg. Almost 30 different parking lots were nominated, and virtually no one ventured into Northeast Downtown (aka Arapahoe Square), that sea of asphalt between 20th and Park Avenue that could easily dominate any "worst parking lot" competition.
Anyway, starting in no particular order, here's our first candidate for Downtown Denver's Worst Parking Lot: Block 039 in Lower Downtown.
Here's a color aerial:
The property in question is owned by Blecker LLC ("Bleaker" would be more appropriate) and the parking lot is managed by Central Parking Systems. Here's a composite of images from the site (click and expand to view at full size):
The large chunks of loose asphalt are a nice touch, don't you think?
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Wow this one has it all. Ugly. Bombed-out. And most importantly, it completely destroys the walk from 16th St. to Coors Field. You see tourists start looking around when they reach this area, thinking they took a wrong turn. "No honey, the man said there were bars and restaurants down here somewhere."
Permalink Posted by 
: 6/28/2007 09:14:00 AM
: 6/28/2007 09:14:00 AM
I walk by this one so often I almost don't even notice, so I didn't think to nominate it! But, yes, this is absolutely one of the most atrocious utilizations of prime downtown realty that I can think of. Definitely a top 5 (or should that be bottom 5?)!
I like how they just painted the stripe over that one chunk of asphault... classy.
Permalink Posted by : 6/28/2007 01:22:00 PM
: 6/28/2007 01:22:00 PM
I agree. In addition to this empty lot - the view of the back half of the buildings on this block is less than appealing as well, especially with the exposed garage and the equally adjoining parking lot on the opposite side of Market. Together, this makes this part of Denver seem like a crater, but to add insult to injury, the block south of this is full of parking garages on both sides of the street, which means someone has to walk two full blocks between 16th and party central without encountering anything of interest. It's painful.
Permalink Posted by : 6/28/2007 04:33:00 PM
: 6/28/2007 04:33:00 PM
This block really stands out in my memory for a long time. Maybe its the context of the place, so alien to its surroundings. Or perhaps its the parking garage who's backside is exposed. Like plastic bags stuck in a tree, that ain't right. I get the feeling when at this place that the earth has suddenly caved in.
Let's all take a pledge to not support these surface lots. Anyone else in?
Let's all take a pledge to not support these surface lots. Anyone else in?
Permalink Posted by : 6/28/2007 11:44:00 PM
: 6/28/2007 11:44:00 PM
This is by far one of the worst lots in the city. It's even worse than some found in the Arapahoe Square area...and that's not saying much. I know that Blecker has been selling many of their lots over town in the past year or two...perhaps this could be the next best thing. It would be nice if Corum could get their act together and construct 1800 Market...that project would definitely help this area of town immensely!
Permalink Posted by : 6/29/2007 08:26:00 AM
: 6/29/2007 08:26:00 AM
Not to mention that the sidewalk itself is pretty ill kept there...
Permalink Posted by : 6/29/2007 09:31:00 AM
: 6/29/2007 09:31:00 AM
I really like the image of the yellow toll booth, or whatever that is. It looks like the set of an indie movie.
This is the worst parking lot IMO.
posted; Bengy or blm3034L!fe
07-01-07
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posted; Bengy or blm3034L!fe
07-01-07
Permalink Posted by : 7/02/2007 08:48:00 AM
: 7/02/2007 08:48:00 AM Links to this post:
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