On Monday, December 9, Denver City Council approved Bills 24-1659 and 1660, marking a significant legislative milestone in the renewal and expansion of the Downtown Denver Development Authority (DDDA), which will unlock upwards of $570 million in investment to revitalize downtown Denver. By passing Bill 24-1659, city council supported a historic expansion of the DDDA boundaries, which since 2008 have only covered the areas around Union Station and Market Station. With the passage of Bill 24-1660, city council approved the Amended Plan of Development, a framework for how DDDA dollars will be utilized.
“The expansion and renewal of the Downtown Denver Development Authority represents a historic investment in our center city, one that the entire community should celebrate and rally around, and one that will be felt for generations to come,” said Kourtny Garrett, president & CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “City council’s decision – which follows the overwhelming passage of Measure 6A, when nearly 80% of downtown voters said ‘yes’ to this bold investment – marks the beginning of what will be a true renaissance for our downtown. The DDDA brings unprecedented opportunity to build a more livable, connected, dynamic place for our city’s families, workers, businesses and visitors.”
The Plan of Development approved by Denevr City Council will guide the use of $570 million in funding for downtown Denver. Over 2,200 residents, businesses, and organizations whose input helped define five categories for future investment:
- New development and adaptive reuse
- Livability, economic opportunity, and jobs
- Parks and public space
- Arts, culture, and activation
- Connectivity and mobility
“Downtown Denver is not just the backbone of our city, but it’s the cultural, civic, and economic center of the Mountain West,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “Voters in downtown overwhelmingly voiced their support for this tool in November, and with city council’s vote tonight, we are well on our way to investing more than $500 million back into our downtown. I look forward to continuing to work with city council, community partners, and Denverites across the city to bring transformative new projects to our city center.”
Starting in 2025, the City & County of Denver will open applications for funding for catalytic public or private projects that promote economic growth and revitalization. Eligibility and application information is expected to be available in January and the Downtown Denver Partnership will provide updates to members and the business community as they become available. For the most up-to-date information, please subscribe to the City’s DDDA newsletter or follow along at denvergov.org/DDA.
