The Covid-19 global pandemic may have dampened the spirits of some but at Gaylord Rockies in Denver, they are doing their best to keep the spirit alive with their Christmas at Gaylord Rockies. Mistletoe Village on the convention center wing of the hotel still features Build a Bear Workshop, cookies with Mrs. Claus, a gingerbread house decorating station, gift shop, and the all new I Love Christmas Movies exhibit. All of these are more spread out than years past, offering a chance for guests to feel more comfortable and social distance.
I Love Christmas Movies: Walk through your favorite Christmas movies in the all-new 17,000 sq. ft. multi-sensory exhibit. This multi-sensory journey will take you through over 13 scenes from five iconic Christmas movies.
The west side of the hotel features acres of twinkling lights and decorations and holiday activities including snow tubing, ice bumper boats, Merry-Go-Round and ice skating. The I Love Christmas Movies pop-up experience replaces the Ice exhibit this year (although Ice will return next year). A guide takes small groups through replica movie sets from movies such as Polar Express, Christmas Vacation, Elf, A Christmas Story, and A Year Without Santa Claus.
Although the Christmas spirit is alive at the resort, they have set up stringent safety protocols to keep their guests safe. The resort has directional arrows for walking through the resort and hand sanitizing stations throughout. The Pinyons bar now forms a single file line to order drinks which allows for social distancing. For the time being, the other restaurants offer food to go only. However, the resort does allow outside food to be brought in. Convenient options are services such as Uber Eats or GrubHub.
Snow Tubing: Features a four-lane tubing hill that’s fun for all ages and covered in real snow. Zoom down the lanes, race to the bottom, and enjoy unlimited runs on your ticket date ($17.99 per person).
The demanding standards of cleanliness have risen to an even higher level with new protocols for the current circumstances. Gaylord Rockies has elevated their cleanliness standards and changing hospitality norms. As a part of Marriott International’s family, they have put in place a multi-pronged approach designed to meet the health and safety challenges presented by COVID-19 as outlined in Marriott’s Commitment to Clean.
Enhanced technologies, including the testing of electrostatic sprayers and implementing the highest classification of disinfectants recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization are being used to sanitize surfaces throughout the hotel and convention center.
Gaylord Rockies has implemented extra-stringent daily cleaning procedures that are focused heavily on high touchpoint areas. Public spaces, including, but not limited to, the lobby, aquatic areas, fitness centers, and meetings and convention spaces, have dedicated staff to sanitize frequently throughout the day.
In guest rooms, they have added detailed cleaning practices, requiring all surfaces to be thoroughly cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectants and that this cleaning is done with increased frequency. They have also placed disinfecting wipes in each guest room for guests’ personal use. For more information on their protocols, visit www.gaylordhotelsclean.marriott.com.
Gaylord Rockies is near Denver International Airport and is a Marriott property that opened in December 2018. The 486,000 square feet of convention space makes it the largest combined resort and convention center in Colorado. It is the fifth Gaylord property to open with the others located in Washington, D.C., Nashville, Orlando, and Dallas.
Decked Out: The atrium of Gaylord Rockies features a giant Christmas Tree in the middle with the fireplace decorated with stockings and lights throughout the area.
The Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center is located at 6700 North Gaylord Rockies Boulevard. For more information about the resort or to make a reservation, visit www.gaylordrockies.com. Christmas at Gaylord Rockies runs until January 3, 2021. For more information or for tickets to the events, visit www.christmasatgaylordrockies.marriott.com.
Enjoy Heartwarming, Safe Choices Full Of Festive Cheer, Beautiful Scenery And Fun Activities
Sighting Santa: Youngsters and their families annually anticipate a stopover by Santa during Dec. 17 Glendale Sports Center’s holiday gala.
Three phrases wrap-up this year’s holiday season: Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men, plus Pandemic Precautions included. Nonetheless there are plenty of ways to enjoy a magical, safe season in good health. Because there’s no place like home for the holidays, we’ve rounded up a treasure trove of magical things to do in-person, outdoors and virtually from home:
In-Person
Cherry Creek North
Reimagined for 2020, district’s 16 blocks feature a Light Walk plus eight displays choreographed to music. More: Prismatica on corner of 3rd-Milwaukee is an interactive light installation. Holiday Thursdays through Dec. 17, has treats-giveaways, 5-8 p.m.
Winter Wonderland: To make spirits bright, meander through Denver Botanic Garden’s Blossoms of Light now through Jan. 16.
Cherry Creek Shopping Center
Santa’s Flight Academy returns as a socially distanced, non-contact experience thru Dec. 24. Photo sessions are by reservation. Plus across from Food Court there’s a free 75-vendor Gift Festival, Dec. 7-24.
City Of Glendale
Enjoy season’s magic during December Delights at Four Mile Park Dec. 4-27. Then attend Glendale Sports Center’s holiday gala Dec. 17, 5:30-7 p.m. This 1.3-sq.-mile enclave has 55-popular-unique retail stores plus delightful dining-entertainment venues.
Christmas At Gaylord Rockies
Lights, decorations, shows and events at Gaylord Rockies Resort through Jan. 3. There’s a new pop-up I Love Christmas Movies™ experience. Information: 720-452-6900.
Family Holiday Photos
Book a time, dress in your holiday best for 15-minute Eisenhower Chapel shoot provided by Lowry Aviator & Lowry Foundation, Dec. 12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 303-344-0481.
Nutcracker Suite
With a stellar cast, this one act performance is at Lone Tree Arts Center, Dec. 10 & 17 at 7 p.m., Dec. 11 & 18, 1 p.m. Information: 720-509-1000.
Pipe Organ Tour
Learn history, architecture, and organ music of Capital Hill’s largest venues beginning at the Cathedral Basilica Dec. 5, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Information: 303-534-5288, ext. 7.
Winter Wonderland: To make spirits bright, meander through Denver Botanic Garden’s Blossoms of Light now through Jan. 16.
Winterland
See world premiere of discotheque cabaret of titillating tales presented by Sunflower Bank at Wonderbound Studios. Information: 303-292-4700.
Outdoors
Blossoms Of Light
Meander through Denver Botanic Garden’s annual LED light wonderland with treats, cocoa and more through Jan. 16. Information: 720-865-3500.
Christkindl Market
German cuisine, live music & sweets in Civic Center Park, Sun.-Wed., 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Thur.-Sat. to 9 p.m. Information: gacc.co.org.
December Delights
Enjoy installations, ice skating, kids’ activities and a scavenger hunt at Four Mile Historic Park, Dec. 4-27. Event has snacks & full bar. Information: 720-865-0800.
The 16th St. Mall Festival
Enjoy shopping downtown next to the 100-ft. LED Christmas tree. Information: giftfestival.com.
Zoo Lights
Take family to see city’s wildest winter wonderland celebrating its 30th Anniversary through Dec. 31. Zoo is aglow with a million lights over 80 acres. Information: 720-990-5105.
Virtual
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Kicks off the season with holiday favorite starting Dec. 8. Additional music, theatre and dance available through Jan. 20. Information: 303-674-4002 or ovationwest .org.
Arvada Center Art Market
Shop market’s 34th annual selection of ceramics, drawings, paintings and glass by 70 artists through Dec. 18. Go to: acart market.com.
Aurora Singers
Celebrate the holiday season with family during Christmas at Gaylord Rockies in Denver. Explore acres of twinkling lights and decorations and holiday activities, shows, and events, from snow tubing and ice skating to the all-new I Love Christmas Movies pop-up experience. Christmas at Gaylord Rockies runs until January 3, 2021. For more information or for tickets to the events, visit www.christmasatgaylordrockies.marriott.com.
A free digital show of holiday favorites to enjoy at home Dec. 12., 7 p.m. Join link that evening on group’s website: aurora singers.org.
Granny Dances To A Holiday Drum
See Cleo Parker Robinson’s 29th production online Dec. 5-Jan. 2. Show is blend of dance, music and spoken word. Information: 303-295-1759.
Nutcracker Suite
View virtual performances from Lone Tree Arts Center Dec. 10 and 17th, 7 p.m. plus Dec. 11 and 18, 1 p.m. Information: 720-509-1000.
In October, city council adopted the East Central Area Plan (ECAP), a land use policy document authored by Community Planning and Development (CPD) that is meant to guide growth in the Capitol Hill, North Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Congress Park, City Park, and City Park West neighborhoods over the next 20 years.
ECAP: The East Central Area Plan is meant to guide growth in the Capitol Hill, North Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Congress Park, City Park, and City Park West neighborhoods over the next 20 years.
The area is comprised of more than 32,000 housing units, most of which are occupied by young renters, and runs between Broadway and Colorado Ave., from 7th Ave. up north to 23rd Ave.
And while the plan is supported by several neighborhood organizations, many residents feel left out, saying the plan doesn’t represent the needs their communities.
“We have serious concerns this plan was put together with a predetermined outcome in mind,” Jesse Morreale, president of the 7th Ave. Neighborhood Association (7ANA), told city council. “To us, this plan represents the city directing its agencies in ways that will harm our neighborhood.”
The plan makes six priority recommendations: strengthen the local economy through job training, increase affordable housing, improve services for people experiencing homelessness, make streets safer, expand historic preservation, and reduce carbon pollution.
District 9 representative Candi CdeBaca questioned the ability of the plan to accomplish the goals it sets out to accomplish.
Questioning: District 9 representative Candi CdeBaca questioned the ability of the plan to accomplish the goals it sets out to accomplish.
“We have multiple plans across the city that try to address the inequities in Denver’s zoning code, but when it comes to rezoning, our plans don’t come with any guarantee to achieve our goals, and they’re not yielding any results,” she said.
Left Out
Morreale and volunteer 7ANA board member Mark Spear both claimed CPD left their neighborhood in the dark about ECAP, even though the plan recommends several consequential changes for the area.
The 7th Ave. corridor is one of many streets classified as a transformative opportunity, a designation representing a need for increased multi-modal transportation in the area. Some ideas mentioned in the plan include building buffered bike lanes and other traffic calming designs that increase safety for pedestrians.
Morreale says these changes will increase density and property values in the area and thereby push out a lot of cost-burdened residents.
Concerned: Jesse Morreale, president of the 7th Ave. Neighborhood Association, has concerns the East Central Area Plan was put together with a predetermined outcome in mind.
“It’s amazing to me that city council would try to pass a plan of this magnitude without consulting all the people it affects,” Spear said.
Curt Upton, the principal city planner overseeing of ECAP, said CPD determined its outreach efforts by analyzing demographic trends in the comments residents submitted during community meetings.
Upton said CPD’s outreach meetings were primarily attended by property owners even though there are far more renters in the area. This fact alone made it necessary for CPD to focus its efforts on young renters, Upton said.
Other residents were concerned with the way CPD decided to define the neighborhoods ECAP will affect.
Instead of defining the plan area by the boundaries of neighborhood organizations, CPD used Statistical Neighborhood boundaries, which the agency created in the 1970s as a part of the Community Redevelopment Program.
Upton said CPD decided to use Statistical Neighborhood boundaries because they align with census tracts, thereby giving the agency access to data on the area’s demographic change.
“This plan is looking 20 years into the future, and hopefully by then we aren’t still in a housing crisis,” he added.
Historical Displacement
Many other residents believe ECAP will increase displacement because the plan’s transportation plans will increase investment and historic preservation in neighborhoods vulnerable to displacement like North Capitol Hill and City Park West.
“I remember a time when nobody cared about this neighborhood,” Julie Untiedt, volunteer president of the City Park West Neighborhood Association, told city council. “Now that the land is worth something, everyone wants to go changing the neighborhood.”
ECAP will focus on helping North Capitol Hill and City Park West meet Denver’s equity goals of providing multimodal transportation for residents and access to healthy food options. The plan also envisions high-comfort bike lanes running east-to-west through City Park West and North Capitol Hill along 16th Ave., and north-to-south along Franklin St. and Pennsylvania St., respectively.
As for the Colfax corridor, ECAP recommends rezoning the area to increase building height sizes up to eight stories. However, ECAP requires developers to provide a “community benefit” before they can build up. The plan does not specifically define what a community benefit is, but provides affordable business spaces, grocery stores, and daycare as examples. City council will have the authority to determine what benefit a developer must provide before approving a rezoning request.
The plan will also transform Colfax into a bus rapid transit system corridor, with stops at nearly every intersection between Broadway and Colorado Blvd. When combined with the historic preservation measures, some residents are concerned the cost of living will negatively impact the neighborhood’s small businesses.
“The thing that worries me the most is that small business owners will sell out, smart developers will scoop up their property, taxes will increase, and residents will face displacement for no reason whatsoever,” Dr. Giles Rafsnider told the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle in an interview.
Upton verified these fears when he told city council that Denver doesn’t have the policy tools to address displacement of minority groups or small businesses. And, even though CPD discussed ECAP alongside concurrent efforts like the Missing Middle Housing Initiative and the Affordable Housing Zoning Incentive, the agency doesn’t fully understand how ECAP will impact other plans or legislative efforts.
During the 2020 session, Democrats in the General Assembly introduced legislation to overturn the Telluride Decision, a state Supreme Court ruling that struck down rent control policies.
However, Upton says, CPD believes its plans are flexible and capable of being molded to fit modern needs.
“As additional tools like state laws change, it’s only going to accelerate our efforts to provide affordable housing,” Upton said.
As a part of the city’s effort to spur development of affordable housing, which would drastically increase density in Denver, lawmakers are developing a pilot project to financially incentivize developers who build affordable and mixed-income units in Denver’s high-cost submarkets like Capitol Hill and Cheesman Park.
Linkage Fee: Developers are not always required to pay a linkage fee (linkage fees are typically charged to developers and then spent on affordable housing preservation or production through existing housing programs), causing the fund’s revenue to vary greatly year-over-year.
The pilot was developed by Community Planning and Development (CPD) and the Office of Housing Stability (HOST) to test the feasibility of offering incentives, like reductions in permitting fees, to support affordable housing projects that align with Denver’s Comprehensive Plan 2040 and Blueprint Denver, both of which provide recommendations to create a more expensive zoning code.
“Our goal with this pilot program is to identify ways we can help support critical projects that share our priorities of providing deep affordability as well as taking action to address climate change,” Laura E. Aldrete, executive director of CPD said in a press release.
However, some developers are unconvinced the plan would align supply-side and demand-side economic goals, especially when it comes to developing affordable multifamily units.
“It seems backwards,” said Jim Welland, a developer with Pallisade Partners, which sits on the city’s advisory committee for the plan. “The development costs in ‘high-cost’ submarkets are higher, which makes it difficult to develop more affordable housing. The goal could be met, but the incentive needs to be higher to match the costs.”
The plan is designed to work alongside other efforts such as the Group Living Proposal and including racially-sensitive language in the city zoning code. However, Annaliese Hock, the city planner in charge of developing the plan, said Denver residents should tamper their expectations because the plan is just one tool in Community Planning and Development’s (CPD) toolbox.
“We understand there are a lot of issues with the city’s zoning code that CPD is working to address. But, this plan shouldn’t be thought of as a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s just one tool we can use,” Hock said.
Incentives
Denver utilizes several zoning incentives to attempt to bolster its affordable housing stock. One example is allowing developers to add additional height to their buildings in exchange for affordable units in the development. The goal is to cross-subsidize the affordable units with the added square-footage.
Partnership: Denver Community Planning and Development is partnering with the Office of Housing Stability (HOST) to find ways to encourage construction of affordable and mixed-income housing, particularly in transit-rich areas.
Two others include inclusionary zoning ordinances and linkage fees.
But, these efforts have not produced the effect the city intended. Denver replaced its inclusionary housing ordinances (IHO) in 2016 with the Affordable Housing Fund. According to CPD, IHOs were the city’s “primary tool to facilitate home ownership opportunities of workforce housing” for people earning between 50 and 90% percent of average median income.
However, its new tool has proven to be far less effective in incentivizing the development of affordable units. The fund partially consists of linkage fees, a mechanism that “links” market-rate development with affordable and mixed-income housing. For example, developers may pay up to $1.61 per square-foot for a multi-unit commercial building versus just $.65 for a multi-unit residential complex based on the project’s building type. These fees are adjusted for inflation in an amount equal to the percentage change from the previous year in the national Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.
The fund is designed to provide supplementary capital for affordable housing development projects that serve families earning 80 percent or less of the area median income (AMI) in 2016. According to the City’s website, “the fund is estimated to raise $150 million over the next 10 years to create or preserve 6,000 affordable homes for low- to moderate-income families.”
But, developers are not always required to pay the linkage fee, causing the fund’s revenue to vary greatly year-over-year. Single-family or duplex additions of 400 gross square feet or less, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), affordable housing, and rebuilding due to catastrophic events are exempt. Developers who build affordable units within a quarter-mile of a development without affordable units may be exempt as well.
As a result, the Affordable Housing Fund exempted “far more projects than originally anticipated,” according to a CPD study. In 2017, linkage fees generated just over $6 million for the fund. This sum grew to over $20 million in 2018. CPD currently projects the city to accrue $10 million from linkage fees in 2020.
Supply And Demand
Even with these incentives on the books, Denver has a hard time getting developers to build affordable multifamily units, primarily because the ratio of building costs to a project’s potential return don’t add up.
For example, granting developers height waivers to build above a maximum zoning height in exchange for affordable units often discourages development because of the extra associated construction costs.
According to the International Building Code, buildings taller than five stories must be built with steel frames. Since mid-March, the price of lumber has doubled and the price of steel has increased 10 percent.
On top of that, Denver’s increasing minimum wage and land values increase the risk for investors who back affordable housing projects. According to research by Realtor.com, the average land value in Denver is over $489,000. Coupled with increasing material and labor costs, developers say building multifamily affordable housing units is not a good investment.
The result is that over 75 percent of Denver’s affordable housing development goes toward building studio and one-bedroom units, according to data from CPD.
While the current pilot also includes incentives for developers based on the value of the land being developed, CPD says it does not have the ability to accurately track land value fluctuations in real time, making it nearly impossible for the incentive to have any real-world application.
“We need to consider that in the high-cost areas the different market rate and affordable thresholds is higher. Therefore, the incentive needs to be higher to account for the difference,” Welland said.
A Success Story?
As CPD and HOST continue to refine the pilot, they point to the 38th and Blake Overlay project as evidence of the plan’s success.
The project began in 2018 and provided developers height incentives that allowed buildings to stretch up to 16 stories in some areas of the Five Points, Globeville and Cole neighborhoods near the RTD A Line in District 9.
It brought 36 affordable units to the area, but spurred the growth of several office buildings, further increasing property values and tax assessments in the neighborhood. This led some to contend the project accelerated displacement and gentrification in the area.
“The affordability ‘incentive’ is unlikely to be utilized as the up-zone is substantial enough without the height incentives, and the most we can expect of the entire rezone is less than 100 affordable units,” District 9 representative Candi CdeBaca told Denverite at the time.
Since being elected in 2019, CdeBaca has committed herself to undoing Denver’s strategy to build its way out of its housing crisis. CdeBaca supports moving away from linkage fees toward the inclusionary housing ordinances of yesteryear. She also supports charging developers fees upwards of 10 percent to support affordable housing and restricting property tax increases for a given cycle.
“I think right now is the best time to tax the big builders, tax the corporations in a way that creates the padding for us to execute the plans,” she said.
Pandemic Sparks Sweet Pop-up Music Series; Families Swing, Sway To Beat Of Groove Machine
by Glen Richardson
Music drifts on the breeze through the Valley’s quiet Cory-Merrill neighborhood on a Friday night. A group of musicians perform under a clutch of trees in front of a home as people flock to listen. They hear the unmistakable low-pitched sounds of a bass guitar, its tones forming the rhythm. Often dubbed as “feeling the beat,” the instrument’s sounds seem to vibrate through the encircled crowd.
Serenading In The Shade: Musicians play under a clutch of trees in front of a home in the Cory-Merrill neighborhood. The Friday night pop-up music series lifts the neighborhood’s spirts with amazing music and good times.
Standing or sitting on lawn chairs at homes adjacent and across the street, families are enjoying the music coming from a quartet of musicians known as the Groove Machine. Some break out in song while others dance in the street. The music seems to soothe, inspire and reassure the crowd.
People are rocking to the guitar tones coming from neighborhood bassist Frank Baier. No novice, he has performed with the Bee Gee’s, Jackie Wilson, the Coasters and Brook Benton among others. Belting out ballads and familiar ditties for the growing crowd is singer-entertainer Odell Stroud. The troubadour with an infectious smile and soothing presence wows residents with his singing style and versatile range. A few recognize him as Officer O’Dell in episodes of Rocky’s Auto commercials that have been a part of the Colorado media landscape for more than two decades. The gathered neighborhood audience expresses its gratitude with storms of applause during and following 90 minutes of music.
Sparking Spirits
With social events, wedding and music concerts shut down by the pandemic, Baier worries about the emotional toll it is taking on musicians. He has a Deano Quartet, the FTM Jazz Trio plus a Tony Bennett Tribute Group in addition to the party-dance band Groove Machine. Between not gigging or being able to practice he was becoming jittery and edgy. That’s when his wife Christine suggested the idea of a neighborhood pop-up music series. Christine and Frank are both on the Cory-Merrill Neighborhood Association board of directors.
Concert On The Lawn: Great music in a community environment delights young and old alike on Friday evenings. Folks stand or sit on lawn chairs at homes adjacent and across the street to enjoy the sunset concerts.
Initially Frank wasn’t keen on the idea but the more he considered the notion the more sense it made. In a time when things are uncertain he was certain it would be a good way to ease the anxiety for both himself and his fellow artists. Musicians, after all, thrive on live performances. Moreover, they had plenty of time on their hands. Plus the music series would bring the neighborhood together while offering a rewarding, enjoyable way to practice and get creative.
In City Council District 6, the Cory-Merrill community is tucked between University and Colorado Boulevard south of Bonnie Brae and east of Wash Park. Neighborhoods are historically and architecturally defined by bungalows and classic ranches. Newer homes are larger, often accented with Victorian tiling and mission-style stucco.
Talented Performers
On the musical keyboard for the Groove Machine is pianist and Denverite Tim Greenhouse. He has participated in Switzerland’s prestigious annual Montreaux Jazz Festival plus played with stars such as Bob Hope. Locally he has appeared with Hazel Miller, Lannie Garrett and the Arapahoe Philharmonic.
Baier’s Bass Beat: Cory-Merrill board member and bassist Frank Baier hosts sunset serenades with his band Groove Machine. The music man, his guitar and band are having a direct and positive impact on the community.
Influenced by the Bootsy’s Rubber Band and the Dizzy Gillespie Sextet, Groove Machine’s drummer is Doug Bainbridge who toured for several years around the Pacific Rim. He worked another half-dozen years as a drummer-percussionist on television in South Korea before returning to the U.S.
Valley’s musicians have always actively supported each other, whether they benefit or not. Odell Stroud, for example, is the lead singer with the five- to10-piece party band Montage but he and Baier have often collaborated over the years. Thus when asked by Frank, he didn’t hesitate to join the pop-up music series. When drummer Bainbridge couldn’t make a recent neighborhood series, Montage’s drummer Skip Lynch — aka Skippy Dee — jumped in to hold the pocket down for the group. He has gigged with flautist Bobbie Howard — who gave him the stage name Skippy Dee — as well as The Platters, Miki Howard, Surface, and many others.
Pandemic’s Impact
The detrimental effects of the pandemic on the music industry here and around the globe are loud and clear. The Valley is home to some of the best music and concert venues in Colorado. While the local market lags behind entertainment cities like New York and LA, Denver has one of the largest per-capita ticket markets on earth. But based on current guidelines a venue the size of the Levitt Pavilion — which has a 7,500 capacity — can only admit 175 people for a concert.
Spirited Singing: Crooner Odell Stroud — lead singer for Denver’s Montage Band — belts outs songs at sunset series. His singing style and versatile range lifts peoples’ spirits and brings joy during pandemic times.
Most of this summer’s outdoor music concert series have been canceled. They include the Shady Grove Picnic Series at Four Mile Historic Park plus the summer concert series at the Denver Botanic Gardens, both produced by Swallow Hill Music. Mid-level indoor venues such as the Ogden Theatre and Fillmore Auditorium depend on major promoters AEG Presents and Live Nation, respectively. At the Ogden, seven Aug.-Sept. live performances have been cancelled, while at the Fillmore a dozen have been postponed or cancelled.
The Colorado Symphony still hasn’t confirmed a date or when they will resume full-capacity and live concerts. Already more than a dozen autumn Symphony concerts have been canceled through November. Among them are the Cleo Robinson 50th Anniversary Celebration and the Halloween Spooktacular in November. Additional coronavirus casualties include the Vienna Boys Choir Concert and the Ten Tenors Home for the Holidays concert.
Music Magic
In these pandemic times music lifts the spirits and is doing so in the Cory-Merrill neighborhood. As one attendee put it, “As a community we are appreciative and better off. Their music is exceptional and they are helping to hold up Colorado’s music scene, inspire others and create opportunities.”
Getting In The Groove: Families swing and sway to the sounds of local band Groove Machine in Cory-Merrill neighborhood. When the tone and touch of Baier’s guitar is added people get up and their feet start to move.
The musicians say doing the Friday night gigs has raised their mood while improving their music and dispositions. For his part, Frank admits “I didn’t realize how much I missed collaborating with the other musicians and playing for people.”
The sunset serenades are free but contributions to a fund kitty are welcome. The bi-weekly Friday night concerts — Thursdays when forecasters predict blustery weather — are from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Information: frankdbaier@gmail.com.
In the midst of restaurants and breweries trying to reopen and stay open during the Covid-19 pandemic, a popular local brewery has plans to expand by adding a third location. Thriving and not just surviving, Denver Beer Co. (DBC) is opening a third metro area brewery and taproom slated to open in late fall of 2020.
Aerial View: Rendering of aerial view of the new Denver Beer Co. South Downing Street location slated to open later this Fall. Images provided by: Denver Beer Co.
The newest addition to the DBC family comes to 2425 South Downing Street, near the Rosedale and University neighborhoods. The owners, Charlie Berger and Patrick Crawford, purchased the south Downing Street property back in December 2019, after a long look for new real estate for their newest endeavor. Despite a few setbacks (not because of COVID-19, according to Crawford) they have steadfast plans to open their doors late this fall.
The purchase of the South Downing Street location, originally a gas station and most recently Maddie’s Restaurant, was well received in the area. The closing of Maddie’s was a shock to those in the neighborhood, and with locals anxious to fill the abandoned space, the opening of the new DBC came at an opportune time.
Plus, the recent announcement of the closure of nearby brewer, Declaration Brewing, who filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year, the news of DBC’s third metro location has given the neighborhood something to toast to. Despite those businesses that have come and gone, DBC joins good company with others still standing in the area such as The Roaming Buffalo, John Holly’s Asian Bistro, Little India, and the SoDo Village Market.
Sprawling Space: Rendering of the lawn space at the DBC South Downing Street location. This space is 10,000 square feet and features a beer garden, tiered decks, bike parking, a tiki bar, an outdoor game area, firepits, and a shady lounge area underneath the trees.
The renovation will include two separate buildings surrounding a communal patio and garden. The small taproom will be housed in the larger 2,563-square-foot building, that will include a tasting room, seating 60 to 70 people. Aside from the beer, the biggest attraction will be the 10,000-square-foot patio in front of the main building. The outdoor space will feature a beer garden, tiered decks, bike parking, a tiki bar, an outdoor game area, firepits, and a shady lounge area underneath the trees.
Be sure to come hungry as well as thirsty as they plan to offer food in a similar set up to their Arvada location with The Mighty Burger, a vintage airstream food truck serving gourmet burgers and fries. The adjacent, smaller 761-square-foot building is planned for an additional restaurant partner, that is yet to be determined.
“We hope this new taproom will become a community gathering place and hub for the surrounding south Denver neighborhoods including Platt Park, South Wash Park, DU area, and Harvard Gulch areas,” stated Crawford, co-founder for Denver Beer Co.
Like their other taprooms, they will offer a similar menu concept of rotating seasonal beers with their flagship brews including Princess Yum Yum and the Incredible Pedal IPA, plus several specialty brews specifically for the Downing Street location.
Plans are in place to adhere to all social distancing guidelines with groups of no more than eight people allowed, and tables outside will be kept six feet apart.
For more information and updates on the Denver Beer Co. Downing Street location visit denverbeerco.com/downingst or follow them on social media @DenverBeerCo.
