Saturday,  May 1, 2010

ELITCHES and PEPSI CENTER AREA

Now area of Elitches and the Pepsi Center: Platte Valley     1985

From the top of a railroad observation tower of 110 foot high, you are looking N.W. viewing the fields below and the rail lines of the Auraria Railyards.

To the far left is the Platte River, the Speer Viaduct is center,  and the fields to the right are now home of the Pepsi Center.

A gentle breeze and my slow deliberate movement still produced a slight motion of the platform floor that held me. It was exhilarating. My very own ride before roller coasters would provide thrills for us all many years later.

Looking at this expansive view of green fields below, who would know the valley would prosper with large future projects to revitalize this area and Denver as well?

Beyond the Speer Viaduct (Center) - the 15th, 16th and 20th Street Viaducts would also be the scene of tremendous positive change and growth to establish Riverfront Park, the MCA and the Union Station re-development.

Now the area of Elitches and the Pepsi Center: Platte Valley     1985

Speer Viaduct is on the far left, rail-yards/storage tank and Auraria Parkway are center, Tivoli Building, and the Lawrence Street Viaduct are on the right.

Packed into this field below, the Pepsi Center would be built and command  the area. Auraria Parkway would become a major transportation arterial and the Tivoli Building and Lawrence Street Viaduct (demolished) would continue  the growth of a fine urban center of higher education, the Auraria Campus.

Elitch Theatre at 38th Ave. and Tennyson St. 1992

This image you are viewing of the interior of the Elitch Theatre  would have been in the scenes above if the wonderful structure could have stood the rigors of the relocation of Elitch Gardens to the Platte Valley.

Built in 1891, it is fortunate the theatre remained at its original location.  Plans for the theatre to be completely renovated are in the early stages and contribute to the neighborhood of 38th Avenue and Tennyson Street.

The theatre as you see, is simply magical, a charming intimate host of many major actors and actresses that performed at Summer Stock performances.

The atmosphere is enchanting, the theatre covers you like a blanket with it's beautiful wood-work and warm lighting.

In the future we will once again enjoy the delights of this wonderful theatre.

Until then...

For additional images and commentary, please refer to the Auraria section.

LoDo Alley Dinosaurs

 
Alley between Wazee St. and Wynkoop Street,  looking
Northeast towards the 15th Street Viaduct     1985

Well, it looks pretty funky and cold - it was. Ice has built up in the alley and the dumpster on tilt.  No one is around as usual, just a frozen Dinosaur, compliments of artist D.D LaRue.

Here we are in the alley between the 1400 block of Wazee Street and Wynkoop Street.  The 15th Street Viaduct (now demolished) is at the end of the alley. The Wazee Supper Club would be to the right - down a block on the corner, the kitchen aroma wafting down the alley.

Looking N.E. past the viaduct at the end of that block, where the Tattered Cover and Dixons would eventually be - but they did not exist in 1985.  How uncivilized.

 
Alley between Wazee St. and Wynkoop St. looking
Southwest towards the Speer Boulevard Viaduct     1985

Does anyone need a box spring mattress - looks inviting in this desolate scene?  We are now looking the other direction down the alley, beyond the portal is the west bound part of the Speer Viaduct - at the base of the Volker building.

Alley between Wazee Street and Wynkoop Street  looking
Southwest at the Acme Building and Volker Building     1987

This scene is a few years later, a lot warmer and still desolate. What can I say, not many people were around, I documented lower downtown the way it was. It had a wonderful calming beauty to me, a "quiet before the storm".

As we look through this portal, the west bound Speer Viaduct has been demolished and relocated to the other side of the Acme Building and the Volker Building that we are viewing - with their crowning  water towers.

The LoDo Alley Dinosaur is gone for now...

The LoDo Alley Cat Arts Festival has arrived on the scene. Hope to see you all there August 20,21, 22 !  Please refer to my Exhibition Page for more information on the LoDo Alley Cat Arts Festival.

For additional images and commentary, please refer to the Lower Downtown section.

- Kim Allen