Colorado Real Estate Journal - December 3, 2014
Four hundred leaders and visionaries spanning all industry sectors from across the Denver metro region recently came together to celebrate how “we are revitalizing our communities in tandem with the development of transit infrastructure.” The fourth Annual Transit Event included presentations from Phil Washington of the Regional Transportation District and Mark Imhoff, Colorado Department of Transportation. Transit Alliance Executive Director Kathleen Osher opened the program, challenging attendees to think about how “we stand on the cutting-edge as we work to revitalize our communities in tandem with the development of more choices in transportation.” She added that “the positive impacts that can be realized on growth patterns, community development and the health of our citizens are tremendous.” Washington, general manager and CEO of RTD, delivered the State of Transit Address and unveiled his National Infrastructure Day. Washington is calling for leaders at all levels to elevate the importance of investing in infrastructure in April. Washington was elected as chairman of the American Public Transportation Association in October. Imhoff then debuted the new statewide bus service, the Bustang. This new interregional express bus system along Interstate 25 and I-70 includes 3 lines: the Green Line/North Route between downtown Denver and Fort Collins; the Blue Line/ West Route between Glenwood Springs and downtown Denver; and the Orange Line/South Route between downtown Denver and Tejon Street in Colorado Springs. Service starts in March. The final part of the program celebrated outstanding leadership in three areas: an outstanding graduate of the Transit Alliance Citizens’ Academy, outstanding leadership by an organization and outstanding leadership by an individual. The award honorees included Sen. Rachel Zenzinger as outstanding graduate of the Transit Alliance Citizens’ Academy. The academy is a seven-week emerging leader program designed to “educate and motivate” community stakeholders by encouraging their involvement in the ongoing development of FasTracks and other transit-oriented projects throughout the region. Urban Land Conservancy was recognized for outstanding leadership by an organization for its dedication to preserving affordable housing along FasTracks corridors through land banking and real estate development. Lone Tree Mayor Jim Gunning was awarded the Carla Madison Award for Outstanding Leadership by an Individual for his leadership of MPACT-64, working to find consensus strategies to increase transportation funding for all of Colorado.