Bright Lights, Big City

Contrary to what you and the rest of the general public might have thought, the Denver Pavilions has never gone anywhere, says Gart Properties spokeswoman Wendy Manning. Behind all the yellow tape, she notes, it’s been business as usual for Pavilions merchants, while improvements, including street-entry escalators, LED screens and better lighting, a brighter parking garage and new landscaping, were being made. And that’s why, when Gart unveils the improved pedestrian mall to the public today, they’re calling it the Denver Pavilions Grand Re-Introduction, which comes right in time for the holiday shopping season to commence.

The celebration begins today at noon with a celebrity escalator fashion show, led by Mayor Hickenlooper and featuring everyone from Andrew Hudson to Hazel Miller on the moving steps. 250 eco-chic gift bags, crafted from recycled construction banners and filled with goodies and gift cards from mall shops, will be handed out at the opening (as well as 50 more daily, at random locations throughout the Pavilions, through November 17), and live entertainment will be featured in the courtyards; on November 16, the not-so-traditional tradition of Santa rappelling from the top of the Denver Pavilions sign will kick off the season with hoopla.

And here’s another little secret from Manning: From now until the end of December, underground parking at the mall will be only $2 after 5 p.m. on weekdays or all day weekends with a merchant-validated ticket. The Denver Pavilions is at 500 16th Street, on the 16th Street Mall; get details at www.denverpavilions.com.
Tue., Nov. 10, 2009