University of Colorado A Line Celebrates Grand Opening, Region Now Taking the Train to the Plane
This past Friday, Denver welcomed a brand new addition to its commuter light rail. The University of Colorado A Line, which will connect Union Station to the Denver International Airport, began construction in August of 2010.
Also known as the East Rail Line, the new 23 mile path will take passengers along six stops en route to the airport every 15 minutes during peak hours. The ride will take under 40 minutes and cost nine dollars each way. The A Line has been a much anticipated project, as it will finally offer the metro area the ability to easily and frequently reach international travel options.
Visitors for the opening ceremonies wait for the next train. In honor of the new East Rail Line, all rides on the A Line were free of charge!
The Urban Land Conservancy has played a major role in ensuring that multiple affordable housing options will be present along the East Rail stops. Of the six stations, which includes 38th and Blake, 40th and Colorado, Central Park, Peoria, 40th and Airport boulevard and 61st and Pena, ULC is in direct partnership or ownership of three affordable housing developments.
Located adjacent to the A Line’s first stop is Blake TOD, a 1.4 acre parcel purchased by ULC in 2011 using Denver’s Transit Oriented Development Fund. While development of the parcel has not yet started, ULC has selected Medici Communities as its partner in building the mixed use space. This is set to include affordable and market rate housing options along with commercial space.
Taking the train just a few more miles east places passengers at the A Line’s second stop, 40th and Colorado boulevard in the Park Hill neighborhood. ULC has played an active role in guaranteeing that two separate affordable housing developments made their debut before the A Line’s grand opening ceremony.
Mark Marshall, ULC’s Real Estate Director, poses with Mayor Michael Hancock during the A Line Grand Opening celebration this past weekend.
In 2012, the Colorado Coalition of the Homeless purchased land near 40th and Colorado from the Urban Land Conservancy. Four years later, CCH celebrated the grand opening of Renaissance Apartments at North Colorado Station. The 103 unit affordable housing complex reserved 29 spaces for homeless individuals and their families. The Renaissance Apartment’s grand opening in February was the Coalition’s 17th affordable housing project.
Directly across the street sits a 9.4 acre site purchased by ULC in 2013. Park Hill Village West is a mixed use development, with phase one officially marking completion only one day prior to the A Line’s grand opening. The Park Hill Station Apartments opened last Thursday, and offer 156 affordable housing units. Developed by Delwest, the apartments feature state of the art design, vaulted ceilings, a fitness center and many more terrific amenities.
As Denver sees a rapid rise in population, focusing on new transit options like the University of Colorado A Line is key. The 23 mile track will provide important opportunities for many residents that can only afford public transit options as their means of transportation. In this same vein, focusing on transit oriented developments like the ones previously mentioned is equally important. In a city that currently faces a massive affordable housing gap (roughly 27,000 units in the Denver area alone), providing public transportation options near people’s homes is a necessity.