During the master planning process, the Union Station site was rezoned to Transit Mixed-Use (TMU-30) in order to accommodate future modes of transportation and development on the 19.5 acre site. The zoning application was developed with the assistance of the project team and a subcommittee of the Union Station Advisory Committee (USAC) called the zoning break out group. The rezoning for the Union Station site was developed over a period of two years.

At a USAC Meeting held on July 28, 2004, a compromise was reached by members of the USAC and a citizen group called Respect Union Station. The original proposed zoning allowed the building at 16th and Wynkoop to be set back 70 feet from the property line and the 18th and Wynkoop building to be set back 20 feet. The compromise sets both buildings back 45 feet and removes the turn around area from the Wynkoop side of the station. The zoning application for Union Station has been revised to reflect the compromise.

The zoning application was approved by Denver City Council on October 4, 2004.

View Zoning Application: (PDF Format)

Union Station was also designated as a City of Denver landmark on October 4, 2004. A structure may be designated for landmark status if it meets at least one criterion in two or more of the following categories: 1) history, 2) architecture and 3) geography. Union Station met the criteria in all three of these categories.

Landmark designation is designed to help the public and the developer preserve a structure’s most valuable exterior characteristics. Designation also created opportunities to incorporate a historic resource into a new project, extending its life and utility.

» View Landmark Designation Boundary Diagram

The Denver Union Station Master Plan intends to preserve and restore the station and reinforce its setting through the creation of the Wynkoop Plaza and views to the Train Room along the 17th Street Promenade.

The historic station building and the area between 16th and 18th Streets and from 25 feet west of the station to Wynkoop Street was the area designated as a Denver Landmark. All future restoration and new development within this area will be reviewed and approved by Denver’s Landmark Preservation Commission per Chapter 30 of Denver’s Revised Municipal Code.