Parking will no longer be free at the Lowenstein parking garage on East Colfax and Columbine St. that serves Tattered Cover, Twist & Shout and the Sie Film Center.
A gate was installed at the Congress Park lot last week.
"Over the past three years our owners and tenants have become increasingly frustrated by recurring car break-ins, thefts, vandalism and other incidents," said Max Swomley, property manager of the Lowenstein Theater Complex. "In order to maintain a family-friendly and safe environment we have recently installed a remote monitoring security system and increased security patrols. Our security advisors have indicated that parking controls can also be effective in curbing undesirable incidents."
According to the City and County of Denver's crime data, there have been 27 reported property crimes with addresses associated with the Lowenstein Complex within the last three years. Property crimes include larceny, burglary, auto theft and theft from a motor vehicle.
"These improvements have come at an additional expense to the independent businesses that call Lowenstein home," said Swomley.
Of those 27 reported cases, 12 are attributed to the Tattered Cover Bookstore (2526 E. Colfax Ave) address, six to the Twist & Shout (2508 E. Colfax Ave) and two to the Sie FilmCenter (2510 E. Colfax Ave) address.
Customers and employees of the businesses in the complex will receive free parking through a ticket validation system, Swomley said.
Sie FilmCenter spokesperon Marty Schechter also made it clear that employees will be able to park there with no problem.
"We are tenants of the building and garage, this was not a Denver Film decision for implementing a gated system. Guests visiting the Sie FilmCenter will have their parking ticket validated," said Marty Schechter, Sie FilmCenter spokesperson. "Our volunteers and staff will be reminding visitors and there will be signage at the Sie that explains to people they can get their parking validation through the box office."
For non-customers, the complex will charge $2 per hour with a maximum daily rate of $15 and an $8 overnight rate if they enter after 4 p.m. and leave by 6 a.m.
