Many of you know that there are plans to connect Denver's existing light rail system (currently ending at 30th and Downing near Cole) to the proposed "40th-4oth Station", which will provide a much needed link between these light rail systems and Denver International Airport (currently located in Nebraska, from what I remember, LOL).
What many likely don't know is the debate on what this "link" will look like. Light rail, enhanced bus service, and even streetcars are all being proposed.
There was a meeting on this project on August 15th that my wife attended. I'm looking at some of the handouts they provided at the meeting right now. I'd love to tell you that there are copies at the website they refer to (http://eastcorridor.com) but if they're there, I can't find them.
From what I can tell, the likely solutions are either light rail, or streetcars. And, the major considerations are as such:
1. Cost. According to RTD, the light rail solution will cost between $75 and $80 million. The streetcar solution, they say, will be significantly less expensive, at $50-55 million.
2. Why the difference in cost? Because of consideration #2 I'm guessing: To do light rail, it will require RTD to aquire a significant amount of real estate to put the light rail on. They put the number at "27 buildings and portions of 15 properties on the west side of Downing Street".
3. Traffic disruption. RTD interestingly doesn't mention this, but I can't see how putting a streetcar in the middle of Broadway, Lincoln, and Downing, in the middle of rush hour isn't going to cause gridlock. These streets are already nightmares, without a streetcar taking up the space a Denver yuppie could park two SUV's in.
4. Handicap accessibility. According to RTD light rail requires ramps for people with disabilities for access. The streetcars, however, they say have lower floors and are more accessible. I'm a little fuzzy on this point, as I don't see why they couldn't just build ramps at every stop (like they do now for light rail).
5. Ease of travel to DIA. If they extend light rail through the neighborhood, one could board one train, and ride it all the way to DIA. Streetcars would require one to transfer from the light rail to the streetcar at 20th and Welton, and then, the best I can tell, transfer again at the 40th-40th station, back to light rail to get to DIA. If I have these points incorrect, someone please correct me.
Here's my take on the situation. First, I've walked up and down Downing a lot, and frankly, I don't see many historic gems that we'll risk losing if RTD has to aquire some land for the light rail. I'm sure I'd feel differently if I was a homeowner of an affected property, but I'm not, and I'd actually welcome the removal of many of the neglected structures on the west side of Downing.
Second, Denver's traffic is already bad enough, so unless I see data suggesting a streetcar won't disrupt traffic anymore than a light railcar running on the side of the road (while you're at it, can you get me a document showing how water will flow uphill?), I'm leaning again towards light rail.
Third, having uninterrupted light rail from far south of Denver, through Union Station, through our neighborhood, and out to DIA sounds as convenient as it gets. I'd just as soon have as few transfers as possible, and, I'm guessing, most travelers who might consider using the line would too.
So, I'm leaning towards the light rail, overwhelmingly so. What are your thoughts as Cole residents? And, what should you do if you'd like more information, or would like to be heard on this topic? Well, you can call RTD at 303-299-2401. Or, you can go to their awful website for updates, and, hopefully, upcoming meetings, at http://eastcorridor.com. The flyer I see here also mentions "joining Transit Working Group" and "subscribing to newsletters", but interestingly offers no instructions on how to do so, so I guess I'd start by giving them a call.
The good news is that whether it's light rail, or street car, its completion would be a huge step forward for Denver in providing a viable alternative to the automobile for people's travels to Nebraska... er... I mean, DIA. And, more directly for Cole residents, add a very, very tangible benefit to living in our neighborhood, likely significantly increasing our property values.
Thanks for reading.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Friday, August 11, 2006
Kiva Fusion Restaurant is now open!
Just an update on an earlier post:
Kiva Fusion Restaurant (http://kivadenver.com), after a week-long "soft opening" is open for lunch and dinner in the old Tosh's building at 31st and Downing.
We ate there several times during their soft opening, when entrees were $5. Today as I understand it is the first day they're open for both lunch and dinner, and, I think, at regular menu prices.
While they haven't had time to decorate, the quality of the food was encouraging (try the skirt steak!), and they seem very ambitious in what they want to do with the space.
A successful Kiva would be an important step forward for the neighborhood, so be sure and check them out! And come back here and record your comments on your experience.
Kiva Fusion Restaurant (http://kivadenver.com), after a week-long "soft opening" is open for lunch and dinner in the old Tosh's building at 31st and Downing.
We ate there several times during their soft opening, when entrees were $5. Today as I understand it is the first day they're open for both lunch and dinner, and, I think, at regular menu prices.
While they haven't had time to decorate, the quality of the food was encouraging (try the skirt steak!), and they seem very ambitious in what they want to do with the space.
A successful Kiva would be an important step forward for the neighborhood, so be sure and check them out! And come back here and record your comments on your experience.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Swain Burger and Barbecue: A Welcome Blast From The Past
I abandoned my current healthy-eating initiative for a good old-fashioned burger the other day. And, rather than go to one of the numerous corporate Mc-burger stands surrounding our neighborhood, I decided to get some local flavor (quite literally) instead.
Heading East on Bruce Randolph from our street, between York and Colorado Boulevard, I had noticed in the past a place called Swain Burger and Barbecue. Located on a quiet block and in a quaint house, it was very inviting, at least for a fan of roadside-cuisine like myself.
Walking in the door, I was instantly greeted by a nice younger lady behind the counter. Her smile was sincere, and quite a contrast from the blank stare I have grown accustomed to in fast-food drive throughs over the years.
My eyes instantly were drawn to their menu posted on the wall. Catfish, Ribs, Chicken, Whiting (which I learned was fish), and, lo and behold, "Swain Burgers", their signature item, which, as the hostess shared, had been made here since before she was born. I thought, how can I go wrong with one of those? So I ordered a Swain Burger with bacon and cheese combo. Parting with just over $7 for the meal, I realized again: This isn't McDonalds. But, I reassured myself, this was going to be made fresh! And I was supporting a local, independent business.
There is no dining area at Swain Burger, only a few chairs pushed up against the walls of the limited floorspace in front of the counter, where I sat to await my order. I soon noticed funky, Fat-Albert-ish paintings depicting urban, African-American neighborhoods adorning the walls. A young girl came in who the staff knew by name. She informed them she had only $2.00 to spend, at which point the woman behind the counter began listing off all the possibilities on the menu that would fit her budget. The young girl settled on Peach Cobbler A la mode.
A moment later, cobbler and ice cream in hand, she was on her way. "My Mom will probably be back later," she said, walking out the door. "Because I'm not sharing!"
A few minutes later I was presented with a brown-paper sack containing my burger and fries. My soda came in a medium-sized styrofoam cup with one of those coffee lids with the pull-top. No Biggie Size here, but my waistline didn't need it. My combo also came with a very warm and sincere "Thank you darlin', come and see us again!", which warmed my cheeks like a beautiful girl's kiss. This was definitely not McDonalds.
I felt like I had traveled back in time, back to the day of the independent corner store and burger stand, before the days of 7-Eleven and McDonalds. Back when providing a quality product at a reasonable price was enough. Back when inexpensive food still was prepared with tender loving care, and before it became discount-driven, homogenous and highly processed.
I drove my food a few blocks home so I could enjoy it at the back yard table. The burger was huge, and well garnished with a big slice of tomato, lettuce, ketchup, mustard, mayo, and, of course, thick slabs of cheese and bacon. The bun, devoid of sesame seeds, had a welcome sweetness to it. The fries, clearly fresh-cut and fried, were nothing short of fantastic.
This was not McDonald's--And I was thrilled! Good, simple food, from even better people. How can you go wrong?
I only hope that others in the neighborhood catch on to their offerings so they don't disappear. In this day of corporate, cost-driven fast food, I can't imagine it's easy to profitably run an old-fashioned, independent burger and barbecue joint.
Give 'em a try next time you're in the neighborhood! I'll be there as much as my diet allows!
Heading East on Bruce Randolph from our street, between York and Colorado Boulevard, I had noticed in the past a place called Swain Burger and Barbecue. Located on a quiet block and in a quaint house, it was very inviting, at least for a fan of roadside-cuisine like myself.
Walking in the door, I was instantly greeted by a nice younger lady behind the counter. Her smile was sincere, and quite a contrast from the blank stare I have grown accustomed to in fast-food drive throughs over the years.
My eyes instantly were drawn to their menu posted on the wall. Catfish, Ribs, Chicken, Whiting (which I learned was fish), and, lo and behold, "Swain Burgers", their signature item, which, as the hostess shared, had been made here since before she was born. I thought, how can I go wrong with one of those? So I ordered a Swain Burger with bacon and cheese combo. Parting with just over $7 for the meal, I realized again: This isn't McDonalds. But, I reassured myself, this was going to be made fresh! And I was supporting a local, independent business.
There is no dining area at Swain Burger, only a few chairs pushed up against the walls of the limited floorspace in front of the counter, where I sat to await my order. I soon noticed funky, Fat-Albert-ish paintings depicting urban, African-American neighborhoods adorning the walls. A young girl came in who the staff knew by name. She informed them she had only $2.00 to spend, at which point the woman behind the counter began listing off all the possibilities on the menu that would fit her budget. The young girl settled on Peach Cobbler A la mode.
A moment later, cobbler and ice cream in hand, she was on her way. "My Mom will probably be back later," she said, walking out the door. "Because I'm not sharing!"
A few minutes later I was presented with a brown-paper sack containing my burger and fries. My soda came in a medium-sized styrofoam cup with one of those coffee lids with the pull-top. No Biggie Size here, but my waistline didn't need it. My combo also came with a very warm and sincere "Thank you darlin', come and see us again!", which warmed my cheeks like a beautiful girl's kiss. This was definitely not McDonalds.
I felt like I had traveled back in time, back to the day of the independent corner store and burger stand, before the days of 7-Eleven and McDonalds. Back when providing a quality product at a reasonable price was enough. Back when inexpensive food still was prepared with tender loving care, and before it became discount-driven, homogenous and highly processed.
I drove my food a few blocks home so I could enjoy it at the back yard table. The burger was huge, and well garnished with a big slice of tomato, lettuce, ketchup, mustard, mayo, and, of course, thick slabs of cheese and bacon. The bun, devoid of sesame seeds, had a welcome sweetness to it. The fries, clearly fresh-cut and fried, were nothing short of fantastic.
This was not McDonald's--And I was thrilled! Good, simple food, from even better people. How can you go wrong?
I only hope that others in the neighborhood catch on to their offerings so they don't disappear. In this day of corporate, cost-driven fast food, I can't imagine it's easy to profitably run an old-fashioned, independent burger and barbecue joint.
Give 'em a try next time you're in the neighborhood! I'll be there as much as my diet allows!
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