Southmoor Station Transit Oriented Development TAP Report

Report Summary: Southeast Denver is where the suburbs meet the city. Longtime residents and new families of Southmoor in southeast Denver value its safe, stable and comfortable suburban-like residential neighborhoods, high-performing schools, abundance of green space and trails, and central location. What residents say the area is missing, however, is any sort of main street or community gathering place. Outside of its high-quality neighborhoods, southeast Denver is car-oriented and dominated by major commercial corridors and strip malls. Community members want more pedestrian-friendly streets, improved restaurants and retail, and a main street or plaza that serves as a gathering space for residents. The immediate area around the Southmoor Light Rail Station could be the ideal location to create this type of space. There has been interest in redeveloping this site over the years, but so far no one has been willing to take on the various challenges—including the site’s configuration, diverse ownership, a homeowners association (HOA) that has the legal right to approve or deny development proposals, a mountain view ordinance, and lack of community planning—and overcome the obstacles. Councilwoman Kendra Black, who represents District 4 on Denver City Council, asked Denver Community Planning and Development (CPD) to partner with the community to create an area plan for Southmoor. CPD sponsored this ULI Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) as a first step. The purpose of the TAP is to inspire the community, developers, and CPD to come together to create a new gathering place for the people of southeast Denver.