About Union Station Advocates

Citizen participation in planning and governance of the public spaces at Denver Union Station

Union Station Advocates' (USA) mission is to provide a conduit for citizen input into the process of creating great civic spaces at Union Station, while maintaining the historic integrity of the station and its setting.

Union Station Advocates Welcomes You

Between 2004 and 2008, the focus of the Union Station redevelopment project was on issues such as master plan refinement and approval, master developer selection, transportation programming and design, and project financing. But now that there is a fundable and buildable design for the project’s transportation elements and an executed contract with the master developer, the focus of the Union Station redevelopment project is shifting to the private sector development and public spaces planned for the site.

Throughout the upcoming design and implementation phases of the project, USA will actively participate in the public process as a citizen voice in helping to facilitate:

The rebirth of Denver Union Station as a world-class regional multi-modal transportation facility, which includes great civic spaces, in accordance with the Denver Union Station Master Plan.
The design of the redevelopment of Union Station and its public spaces by serving as a liaison to the Denver Union Station Project Authority (DUSPA), appropriate public sector entities, and the master developer, Union Station Neighborhood Company.
A project implementation sensitive to neighborhood concerns and the station's historic context, as well as the interests of the community and the public at large.
Public dissemination of information about the project to its members and the public at large.
The creation of a redeveloped Union Station and site that will serve as a venue for public activities and events with a unique identity that will be a welcoming gateway to Denver.

About Union Station Advocates (USA)

Information about Union Station Advocates—our organization, people, and mission.

USA is grass roots, 501(c)3 non-profit organization created to assure the design excellence and enduring success of a redeveloped Station and its surrounding public realm through effective advocacy and community involvement. Toward this end, USA:

Created a website, www.unionstationadvocates.org and a blog, unionstationadvocates.blogspot.com
Publishes a monthly newsletter
Sponsors symposiums of national experts on the redevelopment of the Station and its public spaces
Attends and encourages public meetings on the status of the various plans for the Union Station site
Serves as a liaison with the public entities, private developers, and governing body (DUSPA) involved in the redevelopment of the Union Station site
Contributed to a Union Station historical video
Advocates for integrated planning for the Union Station building and surrounding public spaces

Union Station Advocates Board of Directors

The members of the Union Station Advocates Board of Directors are:

Anne Hayes - Chairperson and Community Outreach

Anne Hayes is a Vice President and Project Manager for Westfield Development Company, Inc., a locally owned commercial real estate development firm specializing in office and retail projects, and has a total of 25 years of commercial development experience in areas of loan procurement, construction project management, project accounting, public relations, and sales and marketing. At Westfield, Anne is responsible for the management of the construction phase of Westfield's core and shell and tenant finish projects, from project bidding through build out, for maintaining project budgets, and for the electrical and telecommunication infrastructure and transportation/transit aspects of the company's development projects. Anne has participated in a variety of organizations that benefit the community including Habitat for Humanity, the US 36 Transportation Management Organization, Transit Alliance Action Fund, and Jefferson County’s Transportation Committee. Anne received a B.S. in Business and Master degrees in both Urban and Regional Planning and Urban Design from the University of Colorado. Anne is also currently serving on the Citizens’ Advisory Committee for RTD.

Dana Crawford - Preservationist

Dana Crawford - Co-Chair Dana Crawford is an award-winning preservationist who pioneered the redevelopment of Denver’s historic Larimer Square in the mid 1960s, creating a festive shopping area from the neglected and abandoned buildings of Denver’s original main street, and establishing a prototype for the revitalization of forgotten main streets and architectural landmarks throughout the country. Since the 1960s, Dana has redeveloped more than 800,000 square feet of historic property in Denver including the Oxford Hotel, the Acme Lofts, the Edbrooke Lofts, the Cooper Flats, and the Flour Mill Lofts. In addition to her business accomplishments, Dana served for nine years on the Board of Directors of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and for fifteen years with Preservation Action. She presently serves on the national board of Project for Public Spaces. Locally, Dana is a vital member of the Denver community, serving on the board of the Downtown Denver Partnership for more than thirty years and active with organizations such as the Platte River Greenway Foundation, the Denver Art Museum, Historic Denver, Inc., the Colorado Historical Society and Foundation, and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Dana is an honorary member of the Colorado Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and has been awarded a Doctorate of Humanities by the University of Colorado. In recognition of her civic contributions, business successes, and her positive influence on the architectural character of Denver, she was inducted into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame in 1997. That same year, in honor of her many years of community service, she was presented with the prestigious Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Award, also known as the “Colorado Nobel Prize.” In 1998, the Denver Business Journal recognized Mrs. Crawford as one of twenty people who have made a difference to Denver’s business success in the twentieth century.

Vicki Godbey - Secretary

Vicki Godbey has extensive experience in fund-raising, marketing, strategic planning, management, community relations, and special events. Vicki owned and operated a historical tour company and served as the first public relations director for Denver's Brown Palace Hotel before serving as the Executive Director of 9Health Fair, a non-profit organization providing free and low cost health screenings to thousands of citizens throughout the region. Additionally, Vicki oversaw the 9Give ‘Em Health school-based student health fair program, created and developed the year-round 9Corporate health fair program, and maintained fiduciary responsibility of 9Cares/Colorado Shares food and clothing drive for 9News. Vicki is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, the Jones Real Estate College, and the American Hotel & Motel Association Educational Institute, and her community involvement includes the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Denver Health and Hospital Emergency Medical Services, Public Relations Society of America, Colorado Healthcare Communicators, and the Greater Denver Chamber of Commerce Communications Council.

Tyler Reed - Treasurer

Tyler Reed is a commercial real estate broker at Jones Lang LaSalle. His primary focus is the sales and leasing of industrial and flex properties. He works with investors and business owners to maximize their real estate positions. Mr. Reed also spent six years as a regional operations manager for a manufacturing company with 27 locations across the US. During this time, he acquired many skills, including: financial analysis, capital budgets, inventory control, strategic planning and operations efficiencies. Mr. Reed grew up in Denver, but attended Miami University (OH) where he majored in Management Information Systems and Political Science.

Blake Adams - Membership

Blake Adams is a real estate broker and Manager of Colorado Operations for Adams Land, LLC; a real estate brokerage and development company based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As a real estate broker, Blake has served the Denver area for two and a half years focusing on residential sales and land acquisition for small and mid-sized residential and commercial developments. Blake received his undergraduate degree in Business from the University of Kansas and is currently perusing a Masters in Real Estate and Construction Management at the University of Denver. Blake is a member of the LoDo District’s Young Professional Committee, ULI-Colorado, Downtown Denver Partnership and co-founder of Colorado Networking Alliance-a local networking organization specializing in connecting professionals in referral based industries.

Jim Graebner - Transit

Jim Graebner is an internationally recognized expert in all aspects of public transportation. He is the founder and President of the Lomarado Group, a Denver-based firm providing consulting services to transit authorities, state and city governments, and private firms throughout the world. Jim's expertise covers virtually all transit modes and runs the gamut from planning and design to safety and security, commissioning and startup. Jim's experience spans almost fifty years and includes former positions as the CEO of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, Santa Clara County Transit (now VTA), and the Transit Construction Authority in Denver. Jim received his B.A from Valparaiso University and his M.B.A. from Case Western Reserve University and twice has received the Urban Mass Transit Administrator's Award. He has also served as President of the American Public Transportation Association and was the founding Chair of that organization's subcommittee on Streetcars and Vintage Trolleys. Jim currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Denver Union Station Advisory Committee and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Lower Downtown District, Inc.

Jorgen Jensen - Events

Jorgen Jensen Jorgen Jensen is a Registered Agent with Blue Moon Financial, a Denver based firm that provides alternative investment strategies for registered investment advisors, money managers and high net-worth accredited investors. At Blue Moon, Jorgen markets capital ventures, including real estate, water rights, raw land acquisition and other private equity investments. Jorgen was the founding co-chair of the LoDo, Inc. Young Professionals Committee, which provides LoDo, Inc. members in the 22-35 age group with opportunities for civic engagement, mentoring, social interaction, and networking. A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Jorgen graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and a minor in Design Studies. Jorgen is a 2009 graduate of the Downtown Denver Partnership’s Leadership Program, which involves individuals who have been recognized for outstanding leadership qualities and community and civic engagement.

Mike LaMair - Neighborhood Liaison

Mike LaMair is the principal and founder of RiverBank Commercial Real Estate LLC, a Denver-based firm that focuses on facilitating complex real estate transactions, primarily undeveloped urban land, in both brokerage and investment capacities. Established in 1991, RiverBank's core business is to represent developers, investors, and users in the acquisition or disposition of urban development sites and other commercial/industrial properties, with an emphasis on urban infill sites that can be redeveloped into higher and better uses that serve community needs, utilize future mass transit and reduce pressure on suburban sprawl. Mike received his J.D. degree from the University of Denver College of Law and a B.A. degree in political science from Colorado College. Mike is a registered real estate broker and serves on the board of directors of Lower Downtown Denver, Inc. and the Colorado Advisory Council Trust for Public Land.

Emily Murphy - Marketing

Emily Murphy is the Marketing Coordinator for Calibre Engineering, a local, small business, veteran-owned engineering firm specializing in civil engineering, surveying, and construction management. Emily founded and developed the marketing efforts at the firm, taking Calibre from an on-the-fly marketing approach to a company whose marketing strategies rival the best of the best in engineering. For Calibre, Emily is responsible for graphic design, proposal preparation, client coordination, website maintenance, flyers, brochures, and qualifications packages as well as events coordination and human resources outreach. Emily graduated with honors from the University of Northern Colorado, holding Bachelor’s degrees in both English and French. She is actively involved in the Society for Marketing Professional Services, including membership on the Programs Committee. She is also involved with Women in Transportation Services, the Society for American Military Engineers, and the Society for Design Administration. Emily volunteers for the National MS Society, the American Diabetes Association, and serves as a board member for Spinal Cord Injury Living. With the Downtown Denver Partnership, Emily volunteers with the Pedestrian Priority Zone Workgroup and the Events Committee. As a 5th generation Colorado native, Emily is passionate about the importance of public spaces and citizen input in Colorado’s urban centers, specifically Downtown Denver, the hub and center of Colorado’s urban core.

Luke O'Kelley - Communications

Luke O'Kelley - Co-Chair Luke O'Kelley has over thirty years of marketing and management experience in the technology profession. Luke is the former Executive Vice President of Innovative Business Solutions, and also served as the Vice President of Marketing for Scientific Software Intercomp, and held previous marketing positions with IBM Corporation in New Orleans, Louisiana and Education & Economic Systems in Boulder. Currently, Luke is a free-lance writer, citizen advocate, and active LoDo resident. Luke's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree, both from Tulane University in New Orleans. Luke's community work includes participation in local Denver programs of the Institute of International Education, a State Department-sponsored organization involved in promoting international understanding including hosting of Fulbright scholars and other foreign visitors to the United States. He also has also been involved in leadership roles with the Beyond War Foundation, a grassroots organization educating about alternatives to war for resolving conflicts.

Elizabeth A. Orr - Advisor

Elizabeth A. Orr - Advisor Liz Orr has had a long career in government working for the City and county of Denver for twenty-six years. Liz held a variety of positions with the City including Finance Director for two mayors. For her last seven years Liz was Director of the City of Denver’s Projects Office leading the City’s efforts on projects which included negotiating: the City’s private basketball and hockey arena, the Pepsi Center; the football stadium, Invesco Field; the expansion of the Colorado Convention Center; and Intrawest’s management and development of the City’s Winter Park Ski Resort, and the master plan for Denver Union Station.

After leaving the City, Liz began a consulting business. Her projects have included research director and principal public presenter for RTD’s $4.3 billion mass transit expansion campaign, manager of the selection process for a developer of Denver’s Union Station site as a multi-modal hub, and Administrator for the Winter Park Recreational Association. As part of a community-wide effort, she recently developed a school readiness, pre-natal to three initiative.

Liz received a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, a Master’s in Public Administration at CU Boulder, and was ABD in the PhD program in political science and public policy from the University of California, Berkely. Liz began her career teaching political science and public policy at the University of Washington, University of Colorado, and the University of California, Berkeley. She is the co-author of The Myth of the Independent Voter.

Ken Schroeppel - Planning and Design

Ken Schroeppel is a project manager and urban planner at Matrix Design Group, a LoDo-based consulting firm offering professional services in urban planning, transportation, infrastructure engineering and design, and environmental sciences. At Matrix, Ken specializes in downtown revitalization, urban renewal, and urban redevelopment planning. Ken received his Master in Urban and Regional Planning degree from the University of Colorado - Denver and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and the Urban Land Institute, and has served as a Lecturer at the University of Colorado's College of Architecture and Planning. Ken is the creator of the award-winning DenverInfill.com website and blog, which tracks urban infill projects in the greater Downtown Denver area and offers news and commentary about Downtown's planning, growth, and development. Ken is a member of the Board of Directors of Denver Civic Ventures, the Downtown Denver Partnership's public purpose corporation that focuses on civic design and development initiatives, and is also active with the Partnership’s Center City Housing Council and the Congress for the New Urbanism.

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