Denver Union Terminal
Regional resources were pooled to fund the public purchase of the historic Denver Union Terminal train station. Working with the Denver Regional Council of Governments, the public transit authority, and private sector stakeholders, Denver was able to develop funding for the terminal’s purchase. At a total cost of more than $60 million, this project would not have succeeded without the funding commitments of a number of stakeholders, including the nearly 50 cities, towns, and counties.

The purchase ensures that the region’s public transportation facilities will continue to be anchored in downtown Denver. It also ensures excellent service for the extremely successful development in the Central Platte River valley adjacent to downtown. Transected by Colorado’s most heavily used interstate highways, the valley has seen tremendous growth. This community expansion was coupled with a topography that left the area plagued by high emission levels that often did not meet EPA air quality standards. A commitment to strengthening public transit to specifically serve these sites is a necessary part of development that benefits the entire region.  

The Trillium Corporation
The original valley land owner, Trillium worked closely with the city to develop the area trading land to help construct Commons Park and oversee the development of an urban design master plan and complementary zoning for the CPV. The Central Platte Valley Metropolitan District investments, including $500K for the park, were agreed to by Trillium as the sole landowner at the time. This was a significant financial investment by the private sector and helped ensure the success of the development.

Redevelopment of Central Platte Valley
Central Platte Valley, or CPV, owes its success to a number of important components – key partnerships with diverse stakeholders, a committed public and private sector, and the foresight of years of strategic planning.

The development of Commons Park is a central feature in the success of the CPV, and it provides a useful prism through which to view the public/private partnerships that defined this redevelopment. The park also embodies the commitment and fortitude of leaders in the public and private sector who advocated for years to see the extension of the density of downtown Denver to the banks of the South Platte River. Since 1893, Denver citizens have formulated plans for a Riverfront Park on this site. More than a century after this park was first envisioned, and after several failed attempts to acquire the land, the 25-acre site for Commons Park was successfully secured for the citizens of Denver in 1996. This landmark accomplishment was named "Deal of the Year" by Denver Business Journal, in large part because of the collaborative efforts among the Mayor's Office, the Downtown Denver Partnership's Central Platte Valley Development Council, the Trillium Corporation, and Great Outdoors Colorado.    

With construction of Commons Park complete and new zoning for mixed-use development in place, Trillium, the largest property owner in the valley, sold much of its land to East West Partners in 1999. In addition to the $30 million in acquisition and development costs Denver and its partners have invested in Commons Park, the Central Platte Valley Metropolitan District has committed more than $32 million in funding for design and construction of adjoining streets and streetscape.