A “success story”
“Protecting Larimer Square, again,” June 7 commentary
As Larimer Square is again threatened by redevelopment, thank goodness Dana Crawford still remains active, along with Historic Denver, in protecting Denver’s heritage for future generations! (Everyone who cares about Denver should become a member of Historic Denver to help support their noble efforts.)
Union Station’s rebirth and the historic buildings of LoDo (Thank you, Dana Crawford) are a great success story. It is, therefore, mind boggling to read Larimer Square is again being threatened by developer greed and Denver’s cookie-cutter mega building mentality.
Hopefully the combination of Dana Crawford, Historic Denver and citizen support can permanently save Denver’s heritage.
Barbara Stratman, Denver
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As a past chairman of the AIA Denver Urban Design Committee I have had the experience of reviewing many development projects for Denver. I agree and support the position of Ms’ Crawford and Levinsky and with the article’s point that Larimer Square Associate’s February’s proposal is totally incompatible with the existing context of the neighborhood and would set a bad precedent for all other historically designated buildings and districts in Denver.
Larimer Square, however, is special and is not the only site available to alleviate Denver’s housing issue. Any development of this uniquely significant block in Downtown Denver must be made within the existing parameters of the current landmarks district and property zoning — and only when the character of the block and buildings is not severely altered as to make them a backdrop for something new.
Robert Charles Schmid, Denver
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Larimer Square is a critical economic and community asset linking Denver’s past, present and future. As one of the nation’s first commercial historic districts, Larimer Square is as much a part of Denver as the Empire State Building is to New York or the Golden Gate Bridge is to San Francisco. The new development plan that would loft towers over the Larimer Square Historic District is a cynical ploy to offer token community benefits and generate huge profits while destroying the asset that creates value in the first place. I am sympathetic to the owner’s need for assistance to preserve Larimer Square’s aging buildings and let’s hope the new advisory committee focuses on financial incentives such as tax increment financing, special districts, localized sales taxes, transfer of development rights, even citywide support, that can improve the existing buildings without sacrificing a big chunk of Denver’s soul.
A path for PERA
Brad Segal, Denver
Colorado’s 2018 legislature did well in passing SB 18-200, a bill KC Becker cosponsored. She deserves thanks from all Coloradans for her work on this legislation. SB 18-200 buys our state the time needed to get PERA’s fiscal house in order, but it does so primarily by cutting PERA pensions for current and future retirees. Far from putting PERA retirees on a path to prosperity, it puts them on a path to poverty. That path must be redirected soon.
At a time when inflation is 2 percent a year and rising, PERA’s “cost of living” increase will be 0 percent this year and next, and 1.5 percent after that. Even if inflation does not rise much above 2 percent, a retiree’s standard of living will be cut by 10 percent over the next 10 years or so (The first 10 years of retirement for future retirees). It will continue to decline every subsequent year that inflation exceeds 1.5 percent.
A straightforward way to redirect PERA’s “path to poverty” would be to establish in statute a maximum (e.g. 10 percent) that the purchasing power of each individual’s pension would be allowed to fall. When that level is reached, a true cost of living adjustment (like social security’s) would take effect. Such a provision would give past, present and future public employees a decent and predictable standard of living, while keeping PERA’s cost manageable.
Jim Lipscomb, Arvada