Good morning, campers. We've got a quick weather update and then a bunch of interesting news about real estate, transit, the homelessness crisis and more. Read on, reader.
It's cold:
High of 33 today, high of 15 tomorrow. The National Weather Service expects up to 5 inches for snow, starting late this afternoon. Weather5280 expects less than that, but still warns of dangerous commutes this afternoon and tomorrow morning.
The first phase of the storm already has put 4 to 6 inches in the central and northern mountains. Optimistically, the next part might bring 10 inches more to some resorts, according to OpenSnow.
Wheat Ridge has plans:
What if the G Line (which still hasn't opened) ended at a jobs hub? City officials are talking about establishing "Base Camp," a 15-acre campus for startups with a particular focus on outdoor recreation, near Ward Station and just short of the foothills. The city also has approved high-density housing on one nearby site. Local voters already have said yes to $12 million for infrastructure near the station. (DP)
Blackstone puts big money into Boulder:
The New York private-equity firm sank about $93 million into three properties in downtown Boulder. (BizWest)
Meanwhile, a downtown Denver property owner just sold the Dominion Towers (big brown ones on 17th Street) for $154 million, making a 45 percent profit in just four years. (BusinessDen)
A Denver councilwoman tries transit:
Councilwoman Robin Kniech "had to choose between waiting for a bus in the mud, or in the street where drivers whizzed by. She had to go far out of her way because RTD didn’t offer a direct east-west route. She had to navigate a fare system that should be much easier to figure out." And she reflects on it here. (Streetsblog)
Fliers warn of neighborhood Nazis:
Anonymous fliers featured photographs of two men and warnings that they are white supremacists. Rick Sallinger spoke with the men at their home. One said he "doesn't discuss his politics," but he apparently has a swastika tattoo on his arm. The men are not accused of harassing anyone, though they say they have been threatened themselves. Denver Police say no crime has been committed. (CBS4)
Amazon is looking for a local office:
Reporter Burl Rolett, citing anonymous sources, says the do-everything giant Amazon is looking for a downtown Denver office. (BusinessDen)
The cold brings a crux for the homelessness crisis:
Homeless activists say it's wrong for the city to continue seizing tents and sleeping bags, even if it is just temporary, ahead of such cold weather. The city says it's safest for people to come inside, and that shelters have room for everyone. And Erica Meltzer has much more on the situation, including a legal update. (Denverite)
