Downtown Denver Partnership vows to bring a public market downtown

Denver has a lively downtown -- sometimes too lively, if you're on the 16th Street Mall at prime begging time -- and it promises to get even better if the Downtown Denver Partnership makes good on its vow to bring a public market to the center of town.

At yesterday's annual meeting, which attracted 650 movers and shakers, DDP president Tami Door outlined the organization's past accomplishments and future goals, including a new vending program it will soon roll out on the mall, adding more upscale retail opportunities than knock-off purses and sunglasses.

And that's in addition to the public market she's pushing. Here's Door's report:

Here's the President's report:

Tami Door, President & CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership, gave a report to the membership on future goals and objectives for the organization. Door announced that the first phase of 16th Street Mall renovation will begin in the early fall as transit lanes and sidewalks between Court and Tremont are restored, as well as the planting of new trees, furnishings and lighting.

A major planning process, similar to what initiated 14th Street's redevelopment, will begin on Curtis Street Curtis Street serves as a gateway from the DCPA to Arapahoe Square--an area with the potential to be Downtown's largest mixed-use development. The Partnership will identify catalytic projects to spur development in this area in the coming year, after successfully advocating for City Council to designate it as an Urban Renewal Area.

Door announced that the Partnership is committed to finding a site and funding sources to bring a Public Market to fruition in Downtown.

The Partnership will work with a list of nearly 300 prospective retailers in the next year in efforts to bring greater diversity in the quantity, quality and diversity to Downtown's retail offerings. The organization will also launch the first exclusively Downtown Denver mobile application, promoting shopping, dining and attractions in the area.

In the next month, the Partnership will roll out a new and improved outdoor vending program called "Marketplace on the Mall", featuring local and national merchants. Eight new retail kiosks will be placed on the 16th Street Mall.

Door announced that the organization will continue outreach to the largest employers in Downtown, contacting 30 over the next year and bringing representatives from the Mayor's and Governor's offices to meet with each. To grow the number of start-up companies in Downtown, the organization will also begin efforts to create a Downtown business incubator with Plug and Play Colorado, The Energy House and the Auraria Higher Education Center.

Door also announced that Southwest Airlines will again sponsor and ice skating rink in Skyline Park. The Partnership also plans to launch a new event - Make Music Denver - on June 21st, 2012, which will include organized and impromptu music performances throughout Downtown. This event began in Paris, and is now occurring in cities across the world.

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