Downtown Denver Living – Living La Vida Lodo!
Denver living includes the Lower Downtown Historic District (LoDo). This area was formed by the City Counsel in 1988. The object was to get people interested in preserving this piece of the past – the historic buildings, architecture and the economy. The protection of the buildings, the 127 that remained, was guaranteed through the historic status. The 1960s and 1970s saw about 20% of the downtown buildings torn down because of ordinances for height limitations. Today Denver living includes the preservation of the area first settled by General William Larimer in 1858. The settlement was named Denver City and the area prospered growing from 4,749 people in 1860 to 35, 629 in 1880.
The citizens of Denver City raised the money to have the Transcontinental Railroad built from Denver to Cheyenne and Denver living as far as transportation became much easier. In 1989 a group of property owners in the Lower Downtown area joined forces with the District Collaborative to form the LoDo District. This effort was a mutual interest in the neighborhood needs.
The LoDo District today is a 501(c) 3, which takes care of this area by supporting the cultural, historical and retail marketing. The downtown area is the part of Denver more focused on but they also extend into the areas of Ballpark, River North, Prospect, Riverfront Park, the Central Platte Valley and Auraria. The LoDo District represents both business and residential communities.
The downtown area continues to become more evolved and is the place that it is due to the caring people who strive to take care of this historic piece of the past. The old buildings are a part of the past that they want to keep as a positive for the future.
The goals of the LoDo District organization are to preserve the integrity of the area designated as historic. They also want to influence the present public policies as well as future ones when it comes to issues regarding this neighborhood. The promotion of the businesses in the area to tourists, visitors and residents is another goal and sharing plans between the LoDo members for the good of the area is another.
The commitment of the members of this district want to create a balance between preserving their past and going forward into the future. There are more than 300 members that represent both the residential areas and the businesses in the LoDo District. Ongoing projects to promote this area include marketing, special events, a set of committees that handle the projects and they even have an e-newsletter that comes out twice a month. The LoDown on LoDo, is published and can be accessed online and the Old.New.Now. is a printed newsletter and a calendar of the ongoing events.
One of the many projects LoDo members have is the LoDo Cares Program. Since 1990, this program has been helping to brighten the lives of the Barth Hotel in the Lower Downtown area. The Barth Hotel is an assisted living center and is the home of 62 seniors who are either disabled or low income.
The LoDo Cares Program has taken Christmas gifts to every one of these residents on Christmas morning. Restaurants in the area donate food to make the tradition holiday meal for the residents. The LoDo program also ensures they spend birthdays with residents. Many have no outside family or contacts other than the members of the LoDo Cares Program.
Please contact New Era Realty to learn more about Denver living and Lodo at 303.991.9878 or 800.392.1950.
303.991.9878 or 800.392.1950 or you can
