View Full Version : 16th Street Mall
So my in laws wanted to take all of the kids and grandkids (27 people) to the Spaghetti Factory for Christmas. Nice of them. Grandkids had a great time and like getting together. Afterwards, mother-in-law wanted to walk the mall and look at the Christmas lights and of course she said it in front of the young kids so they all wanted to go. A heavy sigh from the everyone else later, we're on our way to get mercilessly panhandled. Within 30 minutes the kids saw a guy in a fist fight with a garbage can for some reason, saw a violin playing mine fight off a homeless guy inching towards her tip jar, got first hand experience with abusive panhandling several times, and 3 of them (2 young girls) saw a homeless guy's "man parts" as he was watering a snow bank by the ice skating park. A great way to finish the evening.
What a toilet that place has turned into.
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DenverGP
12-20-2015, 00:07
A great family friendly place for good xmas lights we went to last year was Hudson Gardens in Littleton. Planning to visit again next week.
blacklabel
12-20-2015, 00:08
You can't have Christmas without seeing a homeless guys junk. That's what I always say.
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Great-Kazoo
12-20-2015, 00:10
You can't have Christmas without seeing a homeless guys junk. That's what I always say.
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WE all need someplace to hang the mistletoe
Take them to the Zoo. It's a blast
trlcavscout
12-20-2015, 00:26
In all seriousness is it getting worse or are we seeing it for what it is? I haven't been to the 16th st mall in years but I just returned from a trip to Vegas and LA. I use to enjoy walking the Vegas strip but this time left an impression on us and we will probably never go again, what a shit hole!!! Homeless people everywhere, so much pot smoking that I thought I was In colorado. I don't remember it being that bad, and the panhandling and Venice beach style shows in downtown at Fremont street, it was pretty bad. Even Hollywood was worse then I remember for panhandling and impersonators bugging us for money. Then their was Elmo with his costume head off causing a seen and scaring little kids yet asking for money to get your picture with him. I do believe it's getting worse but maybe I used to look past more of the trash?
When I was in college and went out on the town, that was the stuff I wanted to see because it all excited me. I wouldn't want kids around that now though.
BPTactical
12-20-2015, 06:48
The Mrs and I celebrated our anniversary yesterday. I wanted to take her to a nice place for dinner and thought of a couple places downtown.
We went to The Fort instead for the exact reasons defined above.
I refuse to patronize anything at all associated with the City and County of Denver.
Bailey Guns
12-20-2015, 07:57
Let's see where the 16th St Mall and Denver in general register on my meter:
http://www.reactiongifs.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/give_a_fuck.gif
Hmmm....it's registering a little higher than I thought it would.
I remember when the 16th street mall and surrounding area were fun, we'd walk to watering holes from one end to the other, you could be out all night, no fights, not too much begging.
Now all I hear is what a shithole it is, nice job Denver city council.
hurley842002
12-20-2015, 08:14
Now all I hear is what a shithole it is, nice job Denver city council.
Trying to up patronage, but really just baiting victim's...
Jeffrey Lebowski
12-20-2015, 12:57
It wouldn't take a ton of effort to clean up 16th street mall and really improve the city for tourism.
But no…
I think it is sad, really. Years ago it was the place to take out of town guests.
Take them to the Zoo. It's a blast
We did the Zoo Lights again this year. Kids loved it.
We avoid downtown whenever possible. Certainly when we're the ones making the plans.
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In all seriousness is it getting worse or are we seeing it for what it is? I haven't been to the 16th st mall in years but I just returned from a trip to Vegas and LA. I use to enjoy walking the Vegas strip but this time left an impression on us and we will probably never go again, what a shit hole!!! Homeless people everywhere, so much pot smoking that I thought I was In colorado. I don't remember it being that bad, and the panhandling and Venice beach style shows in downtown at Fremont street, it was pretty bad. Even Hollywood was worse then I remember for panhandling and impersonators bugging us for money. Then their was Elmo with his costume head off causing a seen and scaring little kids yet asking for money to get your picture with him. I do believe it's getting worse but maybe I used to look past more of the trash?
I lived in downtown for two years (2004 - 06) and I can say it's getting worse.
We used to go out, drink, have a nice dinner. Now I won't drink so I can CCW. Larimer square and certain parts are still okay. 16th St seems to be the worst and for some reason it's concentrated in that area. You used to see DPD cruisers parked on the median every couple of blocks and now you don't. In the summer they were on Harleys. Don't see that either.
I wonder if we aren't seeing some of the Ferguson Effect in Denver. They know any interaction can be very negative (and not just on a race basis).
funkymonkey1111
12-20-2015, 16:16
And it's not just the 16th st mall, and instead the problem leaches onto side streets.
I work at 17th/California, and the block on California between 16th and 17th is a virtual homeless encampment. You can walk by and see 15-20 people there, grooming, sleeping, sitting around, whatever.
DPD's "Mall Unit" is kept very busy, often called on to handle assisting other District 6 cars on calls. I too spend a lot of time in downtown during the work week, can't get me to go any where near there on the weekends. The last time I spent a night on the mall was when the Leap Frogs were in town a number of years ago to jump before a Broncos game. We had dinner at Rock Bottom, hit a "few" places on the mall, they left their stickers on a couple bars haha.
Was actually stuck working near the mall Thursday night, the number of homeless camped out was disgusting. I do believe the extreme cold kept the true trouble makers away. I only take out of town visitors there during the day for a short period of time.
I do go to Rockies games in the summer (even though they suck lol). I take light rail to Union Station and walk to the park. That's the only way to get me downtown on my off time.
KevDen2005
12-20-2015, 18:10
I remember when the 16th street mall and surrounding area were fun, we'd walk to watering holes from one end to the other, you could be out all night, no fights, not too much begging.
Now all I hear is what a shithole it is, nice job Denver city council.
I do too. I remember always going down there. Hitting up restaurants or bars at least once a week. I used to have tons of fun with friends down there and never really worried. I noticed a couple of years ago that I got really tired of going down there and realized every time was a nightmare with panhandlers and unsavory characters. The worse I have seen in my time. I know there were times that were worse but jeez it has gotten bad. I dread downtown. I took my wife to the Nut Cracker on Thursday night. What a nightmare. There used to be a time that weeknights meant plenty of parking downtown and no issues and being to your location on time. Nope, can't find a place to park, we were there 30 minutes early and ended up 20 minutes late for the show. The same thing with the parade of lights several weeks ago. Just a nightmare to deal with. And after the black lives matter fiasco last year I stopped really wanting to go to the parade, this year solidified it.
I have the shittiest work hours and I complain because it used to mean if you worked shitty hours you would be able to run errands and do things on the week days/nights without issues, traffic, or long lines. Definitely not the case anymore.
Maybe I need to move to Idaho with everyone else.
buffalobo
12-20-2015, 18:56
No reason for me to be downtown on my time.
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hurley842002
12-20-2015, 19:08
I have the shittiest work hours and I complain because it used to mean if you worked shitty hours you would be able to run errands and do things on the week days/nights without issues, traffic, or long lines. Definitely not the case anymore.
Maybe I need to move to Idaho with everyone else.
Yup, shitty schedule used to have it's perks, but that's not even the case anymore.
We see several concerts or events every year. The ones in the city are either at the Pepsi Center or at the performing arts center. We also go to several Rockies games and also a couple of Bronco games a year. Very rarely do we get hassled much walking from the train or parking to the event. It always seems to be near that crappy mall. I went to my nephew's hockey banquet at the Westin by the 16th St Mall last year and we had to fight them off with a stick getting back to our car afterwards.
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Last time I was on the 16th St. mall was about five years ago. Smelled like piss. Lots of homeless types. Not any shops I was interested in. Why go back?
There is a diner and sushi place I'd go back to but nothing else.
I also work in and around downtown on a daily basis. Me and my buddies at work often talk about the new migration of people who have moved here and taken over the area due to our marijuana laws.
Jeffrey Lebowski
12-20-2015, 22:11
The new movement to Denver after said laws clearly are not the FBLA.
Yup, shitty schedule used to have it's perks, but that's not even the case anymore. Same here with the crude schedule. I think whata gumming us up is the quantity of people not working is getting in our way. Everywhere I go I wonder why aren't these people at work.
I also work in and around downtown on a daily basis. Me and my buddies at work often talk about the new migration of people who have moved here and taken over the area due to our marijuana laws.
My town has changed because of weed becoming legal. Mind you, pot has been a part of this town for twenty + years but at least they were mostly quiet about it.
We have had one house explode from making hash oil. I see at least one idiot, with the IQ of room temp, trying to buy a hash oil set-up. Luckily, butane does not readily burn at 8200ft above sea level.
Everyone and their grandmother is coming here to grow weed. Rent a house, rent for a year up front, trash house and grow til the lease is up. House is trashed and homeowner is WTF, I didn't know. Let's bitch.
People who do nothing have moved in. Ya don't see them til the sun goes down. Even the local bartenders/drunks do not know the new influx of people in town. The local rentals have been FUBARed.
I can go on...
hurley842002
12-20-2015, 23:45
Same here with the crude schedule. I think whata gumming us up is the quantity of people not working is getting in our way. Everywhere I go I wonder why aren't these people at work.
Exactly!
I work for RTD Transit Police Dispatch. We deal with all the garbage the fine city & county of Denver has to offer. The call that got me tonight was that a carriage driver flagged down one of our security officers stating that someone was following her carriage and someone was punching her horse when she stopped. We dispatched DPD to handle it, but seriously? The low-life scum that has migrated here is just getting worse and worse. I stay far away from the downtown area. Societal decay at it's finest.
hurley842002
12-21-2015, 04:59
My town has changed because of weed becoming legal. Mind you, pot has been a part of this town for twenty + years but at least they were mostly quiet about it.
We have had one house explode from making hash oil. I see at least one idiot, with the IQ of room temp, trying to buy a hash oil set-up. Luckily, butane does not readily burn at 8200ft above sea level.
Everyone and their grandmother is coming here to grow weed. Rent a house, rent for a year up front, trash house and grow til the lease is up. House is trashed and homeowner is WTF, I didn't know. Let's bitch.
People who do nothing have moved in. Ya don't see them til the sun goes down. Even the local bartenders/drunks do not know the new influx of people in town. The local rentals have been FUBARed.
I can go on...
The family and I get out to your area every couple months or so, when we decide to take a drive thru the hills. We were in your town last weekend, and the wife needed to use the ladies room, so we stopped at the local market. What we saw coming out of that place, my wife decided she'd rather piss her pants than go in there. Absolute trash, and we are certain it was two heterosexual couples, but couldn't tell if the guys were actually guys. Nappy dreads, with faces that were actually dirty, disgusting.
What?! Scummy people moving here because of the legal weed?! Say it ain't so! NOBODY said that would happen! Who'da thunk it......
What?! Scummy people moving here because of the legal weed?! Say it ain't so! NOBODY said that would happen! Who'da thunk it......
There were a lot of people saying that, but it did not fit the agendas of a lot more people. Only responsible people can prosper with freedom and personal responsibility has long left this country.
Same here with the crude schedule. I think whata gumming us up is the quantity of people not working is getting in our way. Everywhere I go I wonder why aren't these people at work.
Exactly!
^This
How do they exist?
^This
How do they exist?
They live off the sympathy and generosity of their fellow man.
Thank God that those poor, underprivileged people can now harass you for money after dark and near ATMs.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_28998413/denver-proposes-rollback-panhandling-rules-response-rulings
There were a lot of people saying that, but it did not fit the agendas of a lot more people. Only responsible people can prosper with freedom and personal responsibility has long left this country.
Sorry, forgot my sarcasm flag..... Amazes me how many people are shocked that legal weed didn't create the People's Utopia that they were sure it would. Sure, you can smoke your brains out Natty, but try to find a job.
It wouldn't take a ton of effort to clean up 16th street mall and really improve the city for tourism.
But no…
I think it is sad, really. Years ago it was the place to take out of town guests.
I remember in HS I would go down after school to visit my mom (who worked at the NE end of the Mall, by Union Station) and go cruise around the mall for a few hours. Now, I'd be more willing to walk around Welton in 5 Points after midnight than I would the mall at mid-day. It's gotten terrible. Not to mention how horrid LoDo has gotten over the years, used to be we could go grab a bite and head over to one of the watering holes and not be accosted by a dozen bums and encounter alcohol fueled fights every 1/2 block.
What?! Scummy people moving here because of the legal weed?! Say it ain't so! NOBODY said that would happen! Who'da thunk it......
Well the good folks aren't moving here for the new greenery.
Aloha_Shooter
12-21-2015, 12:53
Thank God that those poor, underprivileged people can now harass you for money after dark and near ATMs.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_28998413/denver-proposes-rollback-panhandling-rules-response-rulings
It amazes me how stupid our legal system has become. The Founding Fathers were quite explicit that they were interested in protecting political speech -- like the stuff that Democrats and university students say you can't say because it might offend someone -- there is no discussion of protecting the rights of beggars or self-styled "artists" in the Federalist Papers. You used to have to be intelligent to get into law school, nowadays I think you have to show you're in the lower half intellectually, socially, and ethically. The ACLU today leads all other organizations in intentionally misunderstanding and misrepresenting the Constitution.
OTOH, it's Denver. The entire city is a pit and in dire need of an enema.
I do everything I can to avoid downtown. It's not my crowd.
The family and I get out to your area every couple months or so, when we decide to take a drive thru the hills. We were in your town last weekend, and the wife needed to use the ladies room, so we stopped at the local market. What we saw coming out of that place, my wife decided she'd rather piss her pants than go in there. Absolute trash, and we are certain it was two heterosexual couples, but couldn't tell if the guys were actually guys. Nappy dreads, with faces that were actually dirty, disgusting.
Does not surprise me one bit.
The owner of B&F is a good guy.
rock_castle
12-21-2015, 20:40
I avoid Denver like the plague. I guess that gives the plague a bad name.
BREATHER
12-22-2015, 05:42
I used to drive carriages on the mall, wouldn't do that now if money tripled. I am sure it will be much better after Hickenpooper spends $100,000,000 on bikes trails....
I used to work at 17th and Curtis, and frequently at night. Haven't even been downtown at all since losing that job in Oct. 2011, but I'm sure it hasn't gotten any better. If I get to missing the 16th. St. Mall I can always fill my humidifier with urine.....
funkymonkey1111
12-22-2015, 09:04
but I'm sure it hasn't gotten any better. If I get to missing the 16th. St. Mall I can always fill my humidifier with urine.....
Hilarious! I used to work at 18th a Curtis, but my office moved to 17th/California in April. It smells more over there
I used to work at 17th and Curtis, and frequently at night. Haven't even been downtown at all since losing that job in Oct. 2011, but I'm sure it hasn't gotten any better. If I get to missing the 16th. St. Mall I can always fill my humidifier with urine.....
Someone's been catching the Emo Phillips bit between acts on the comedy station. :)
kidicarus13
12-22-2015, 09:59
Someone's been catching the Emo Phillips bit between acts on the comedy station. :)
Thought I was the only one who picked that line up.
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