Page 18 - Denver, CO Adaptive Reuse Program

Provides opportunities for small businesses
Often a small, existing building is more affordable for a start-up
business than space in a new development. Whether business own-
ers are renting or purchasing the property, costs are typically less
than that in a larger new development. This opportunity for small
businesses in existing buildings is supported by the National Trust
for Historic Preservation report “Older, Smaller, Better,” which
shows that neighborhoods that contain a mix of smaller buildings
that are a mix of ages “support greater levels of positive economic
and social activity than areas dominated by newer, larger build-
ings.” The report suggests a series of recommendations to foster
economic growth and social activity in areas, like East Colfax,
which are dominated by older, smaller buildings of varying ages
that may be the perfect size for a small business. These recommen-
dations include:
1. Make room for the new and local economy – suggesting that
creative jobs and non-chain businesses are often concentrat-
ed in older, smaller-scaled buildings, which help keep money
in the local economy.
2. Make it easier to reuse small buildings – The creation of this
adaptive reuse program aims to address the concern heard
by many in the development community that there are too
many obstacles that add time and money to an adaptive
reuse project to make it viable.

Relates to the vision for change along the corridor
Creative adaptive reuse projects can set the stage for more inten-
sive development and redevelopment along a corridor, such as that
which is envisioned in the City’s Comprehensive Plan and in the
recent planning efforts for the East and East Central Neighbor-
hoods. Attracting smaller, innovative businesses to locate in exist-
ing buildings can serve established neighborhoods while setting a
context that invites other businesses to locate in larger new devel-
opments nearby. It also is important to recognize that, while some
adaptive reuse projects may be relatively long-lived, others may
be interim land uses, with redevelopment occurring later on those
sites. In the interim, however, these properties are productive and
contribute more to the community when rehabilitated than they
do at present.

14 City of Denver, CO