Lights dim for plan to overhaul Denver's Writer Square

For Immediate Release On: 9/3/2009

For Further Information, Please Contact:
Christopher Osher - The Denver Post at cosher@denverpost.com

Relevant Info on the Web: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13258879

Downtown residents Wednesday evening took a big step toward defeating plans to overhaul Writer Square with flashy LED screens and billboards.

After nearly three hours of testimony, the Denver Planning Board urged the city's zoning administrator, Kent Strapko, to reject the proposal by the applicant, Writer Square 08 A LLC.

Strapko has 15 days to make a decision.

Downtown residents, including those representing the LoDo area, turned out in force to express their displeasure at the proposal calling for ribbons of LED lighting on the premises and for a 96-square-foot LED video screen.

"I regret the notion that all the bright lights and gaudy look and Times Square-likeness is considered an improvement," said Jim Fuller, who lives in one of the 42 Writer Square condominiums.

The proposal attracted the opposition of City Council members Carla Madison, Carol Boigon, Judy Montero and Doug Linkhart.

Madison said plans for an overhaul of the city's zoning code would foster more mixed-use developments in the city that combine retail and residential uses. She said how the board tackled the Writer Square proposal would set an important precedent on how the city treats such mixed-use districts.

Gary Dragul, representing the applicant, noted plans for a 250-square-foot video billboard were scaled back to 96 square feet that could change images only hourly. The applicant also dropped plans for LED lighting along the clock tower on the premises.

But the concessions weren't enough to convince the zoning board to recommend approval. Brad Buchanan, the chairman of the board, recommended the applicants start over.

About Trenka & Associates: Trenka & Associates is one of Downtown Denver's leading Real Estate Companies. http://www.condosandlofts.com

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