DU Board of Trustees announced a $12 million gondola project to connect the north and south ends of DU’s campus. Various forms of transportation have been tried around campus to transport students and guests, including eBikes, scooters, and buses. The latest proposal knits together recent branding efforts with campus transportation, safety, branding, and innovation.
“This highly visible project addresses our safety concerns,” said Chancellor Jeremy Haefner. “Students can choose not to cross the busy streets of Asbury Avenue, Evans Avenue, and Illiff Avenue. – all very busy and dangerous crossings. Plus, this adds to our branding and 4D experience on campus.”
“This ties us to a powerful branding concept to associate our location with the Rocky Mountains and our Kennedy Mountain Campus near Feather Lakes.”
Solar panels, recently installed on the Ritchie Center roof, will power the gondolas.
The half-mile gondola system will provide covered platform stops at Buchtel Avenue, Asbury Avenue, Evans Avenue and Iliff Avenue. Tentatively, gondolas running north and south between 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, Monday through Friday during school sessions. The new mode of transportation will be free.
Construction is expected to begin this summer and completion by Winter Quarter. Vail Resorts Inc. donated the eight gondolas to the University for the project.
Illustration: Courtesy University of Denver
So much fun today!
this will give us competitive advantage !!!!!
Did someone make a big gift?! I thought the budget was in the negative. Great addition though!
Make sure to urinate before you hitch a ride. Loser male students are excited; only chance they will get to have a cute coed in their close proximity
University is the most dangerous of all
Terrific idea and investment!! Hopefully phase 2 will include a rope tow for folks to use between the light rail stop and Magness.
Next up, a pommel lift in the Harper Humanities Garden.
I was hoping for ridable drones.