Bruce Schneider, senior superintendent of construction company GH Phipps, smiles for the camera.

Workers level concrete in the parking structure during construction.

OUR TRANSFORMATION:

• The Gardens’ new, three-level parking structure between York and Josephine streets was completed, increasing parking from 180 spaces to 320 spaces. The structure, which provides a convenient and secure area for visitor parking, reduces the number of cars parked in the neighborhood surrounding the Gardens and will provide an access point for entry into the new Mordecai Children’s Garden – which will be located just north of the parking structure.

• The Bonfils-Stanton Visitor Center was completed, establishing a point of entry into the Gardens that includes ticketing, the Information Desk and The Shop at the Gardens. A Welcome Garden was created around the new visitor center that includes a dramatic water feature with sandstone walls, as well as strategically placed seating and landscape rocks. These hardscape features are surrounded by many native plants and ornamental cultivars.

• New life was breathed into the old gift shop site in the Boettcher Memorial Center when the space was renovated to create the Offshoots at the Gardens café.

• The Gardens’ mainline infrastructure system received an overhaul in 2009: the 41-year-old irrigation system was replaced with modern technology that saves thousands of gallons of water a year; the ability to have electrical, fiber optics, telephone and cameras throughout the Gardens was installed; and a new

2009 Denver Botanic Gardens Annual Report

pathway system was established in about 80 percent of the external garden areas.

• The heating and ventilation systems were replaced in the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory, as were broken Plexiglas panels – greatly improving this environment for our plant collections and the visiting public.

• The Boettcher Memorial Center also received a facelift, including remodeled restrooms; new carpet, paint and lighting in Mitchell Hall; and the installation of the impressive and educational OmniGlobe in a nook off the main lobby.

• The Community Gardens were relocated to a larger site in nearby Congress Park to allow for the continuation of this vital program during a time of intense construction at the York Street location.

• The Waring House on the south end of the Gardens’ property also received some much-needed improvements, including a newly remodeled kitchen and new carpeting throughout the historical 1920s mansion.

CLICK HERE to watch a video about construction on our Parking Garage and Bonfils-Stanton Visitor Center. CLICK HERE to watch a video about the installation of our new irrigation system.

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