We’ve shown you the three capital projects in Phase I that have been launched as part of the Denver Advantage. And, there is no doubt that a spectacular campus will benefit student athletes, recruiting, and student retention.

The crown jewel during Phase II (years 5-10) will be the redevelopment of the corner of Buchtel Boulevard and University. When visitors enter the University gateway off I-25, they will see a vastly improved campus. Visitors will be greeted by a hotel, ground level retail and a University welcoming center. Students and faculty will see new housing along University Boulevard extending all the way to Asbury Avenue. This 6 acres of the DU campus is currently unsightly and under-utilized. It would be difficult to argue against this  much needed improvement for both the University and the community. Continue reading ‘Denver Advantage’ short on Athletics Department improvements →

While its planned mid-June opening was missed, the newest location for Birdcall, a local fried chicken restaurant chain, is finally open at Franklin and Evans. And it’s worth the wait.

Birdcall is all about fried chicken and fried chicken sandwiches. However, one of our guests ordered the Power Salad (kale, red cabbage, brussels sprouts, cucumbers goat cheese & vinaigrette) and thought it was fantastic, too – so there are vegetarian options as well. The store is high-tech with manual ordering kiosks inside. You can order your meal inside and eat either inside or outside or use the drive-thru. A timer posts your wait time for each order and your food is delivered into a numbered bin and posted on the public order board. Continue reading Long-awaited Birdcall opening rewards customer patience →

It may not happen tomorrow or the next day, but 60-year-old Johnson-McFarlane Hall, located on the northeast corner of Iliff and High Street, is headed for the dustbin according to an article by The Washington Park Profile. As we reported before regarding DU’s 2025 capital plan, otherwise known as Denver Advantage, there will be an aggressive 10-year program to redevelop a number of buildings on the Denver campus. Phase 1 projects include a new Career Center and Residence Hall and Student Commons with DU starting  construction on campus this summer.

Continue reading J-Mac to face wrecking ball →

Photo courtesy Fight Oar Die

The spirit of the University of Denver will be felt on the lonely and dangerous open waters of the Atlantic this fall.

“Fight Oar Die,” the first all-veteran team to compete in the dangerous 3,000 mile Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, will set out in a unique partnership with DU’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP). Continue reading Fight Oar Die: DU Partners with Veterans to Fight PTSD →

One of the most beautiful locations on the campus at the University of Denver is the Harper Humanities Garden. The garden is part of DU’s Chester M. Alter Arboretum, which includes various trees and plantings. The garden is one of 12 recognized arboretums in the state of Colorado.

DU spent nearly 2 million dollars renovating the Harper Humanities Garden in 2005. However, construction crews have moved in this summer to  replace old clay and iron pipes used to fill and drain the water feature. In addition, minor cement work is being done on the floor of the pools as well.

An added benefit to the work will be the elimination of overgrown shrubs on the upper portion of the feature, near Mary Reed Building. And, of course, the eventual return of one of the best spots on the DU campus.

Rendering: Aerial view west along Evans Avenue, shows the new student commons (student union) replacing Driscoll North and the new first-year student residence halls to the far west.

Yesterday, we revealed details of the DU Career Achievement Center/Alumni center. Today, we are showing the first-year student residence hall and the Student Commons (student union).  Continue reading Phase 1 – First-Year Student Residence Hall and Student Commons Echo Collaboration →

Photo: The University is making a bold architectural statement, breaking ground on a Alumni and Career Achievement Center, designed to open the center of the university to students, alumni and visitors.

About a year ago, LetsGoDU reported on a 140 million dollar capital project portfolio to transform the DU campus to align with the 2025 Strategic Plan for the University. Phase 1 has already started with the demolition of homes along high street for first-year student residence halls and community commons. Phase II, also discussed in a prior LetsGoDU article is a transformation of the entryway into the campus along between Buchtel Boulevard and Asbury, along University Boulevard. The Phase II redevelopment will include a hotel, retail, and graduate student housing and will not be initiated for several more years.

Now, LetsGoDU can reveal details about the design of the Phase 1 projects. Today, we will cover the University Career Achievement Center which will also act as the career center for students as well as an alumni hub for the University. Tomorrow, we will reveal details of the new Student Union and a new first-year student residence hall.

Continue reading Phase 1 – Capital Plan revealed at the heart of DU →