Page 63 - Denver, CO Adaptive Reuse Program

CHAPTER 8: EDUCATION COMPONENT
Introduction
A key finding in researching adaptive reuse in Denver is the lack
of information to help owners plan a successful project. The
educational component of the adaptive reuse program focuses
on providing information to property and business owners that
will help them plan their projects to be successful and on honing
the skills of staff in those departments engaged in permitting and
facilitating creative solutions to problems.

Property and business owners are primary clients for education,
as are contractors and design professionals. Staff of Non-Govern-
mental Organizations (NGOs) who engage in neighborhood revi-
talization, such as BID directors, are also potential beneficiaries.
Among City staff, technical training also is needed that specifically
addresses adaptive reuse.

Educational initiatives take a variety of forms, including:
1. Print publications
2. Online information
3. Hands-on Training
4. One-on-one consultations

For the public, information is needed in these content areas:
1. How to develop a plan for an adaptive reuse project
2. How to evaluate the condition of a property as part of due
diligence
3. How to navigate the permitting process
4. How to make use of flexibility that is available in existing
codes and regulations

For City staff, training should occur in these areas:
1. Understanding how different departments interface in their
permitting processes
2. How to coordinate permitting among departments to
achieve positive results
3. Enhancing skills in applying flexibility in regulations
4. Sharing of case studies of successful adaptive reuse solutions

Adaptive Reuse Strategy Paper 59