So after sixteen years of living in my little 400 SF (ish) studio apartment, decided it was time for a change. Well, I guess financially things decided for me. My little studio apartment is an affordable housing unit. Being a 40% unit, I was only allowed to make so much. Well last year I blew past that limit, way past. Knowing that the end was coming I started looking. Finally finding a place on Stout and 15th that had 60% affordable housing. Things looked like a done deal, until it wasn’t. Told me I made too much.

Frustrated (could have been looking at other apartments when I thought that place was done), I took a few days to de stress. I finally came to the conclusion that It was time to move away from affordable housing. This brought new things to worry about, but started looking. one thing was certain, I wasn’t leaving downtown. This has become my home and I freaking love it. Love being able to walk everywhere, take the A line to work, then hop in the 4runner and disappear to some remote spot.

Knowing I was now going to be paying market value prices, I got back to looking. Upon looking I stumbled across a unit off 19th and Arapahoe. Intrigued, I put in a notice for a tour. The day of, a resident let me in and informed management that I was there. Told me he’d been there for five years. Positive I thought. So got the tour and had a good feeling about the place and decided to move forward. Thursday evening I was informed that I had been approved with a move in date of February 14th.

16 years is a long time at one place. Originally I only planned to be here for a year, with plans to head out to the desert after.

Crazy yet fun to look back on all that’s happened while living in my little downtown studio apartment. When I moved in I had a 100$ to my name. Last year I made over 50k. From various jobs and countless adventures with the 4×4 club. More time spent in a hospital bed then wanted ( Sepsis, Open Heart Surgery) and even some international travel thrown in.

I’m excited for this next chapter and a bit more livable space:)

A fresh layer of snow on the 16th Street Mall. One of my favorite scenes as I walked to the A Line to get to work. Almost called off that day so I could photograph with the big camera.

Two big moments stand out to me photography wise while calling downtown home. The redevelopment of Union Station, and Covid 19. Some pics from both:).

Union Station Redevelopment. Completed in 2014. Here we are 10 years later and a refresh is about to begin.

Every Sunday during the reconstruction of Union Station, I’d go out every Sunday morning to catch the sunrise and take pics:).

Mellinium Bridge.

The main bus terminal was built in two stages. Always seemed to be a big pile of dirt.

Working on the coverings for the trains.

Covid 19.

Rider Alert.

The local watering hole. Would walk by every day during shut down to see if they were open for Happy Hour.

Spring snow Downtown.

The father of the 16th Street Mall.

Union Sation.

Best view in Denver, per the Pavilions.

16th Street Mall starting to come back to life.