Reader: Mall Needs More Than Hard Rock Cafe or Cheesecake Factory

The lights are bright downtown, since the Grand Illumination on Friday night lit up Denver from the City and County Building to Union Station. But crowds heading to the center of the city for the holidays illuminate another issue: concerns about the 16th Street Mall. Says Christa: Honestly, the homeless don't...

By Westword Staff

November 30, 2015

Help us weather the uncertain future

We know — the economic times are hard. We believe that our work of reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now is more important than ever.

We need to raise $17,000 to meet our goal by August 10. If you’re able to make a contribution of any amount, your dollars will make an immediate difference in helping ensure the future of local journalism in Denver. Thanks for reading Westword.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$17,000

$8,800

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

The lights are bright downtown, since the Grand Illumination on Friday night lit up Denver from the City and County Building to Union Station. But crowds heading to the center of the city for the holidays illuminate another issue: concerns about the 16th Street Mall. Says Christa:

Honestly, the homeless don't bother me on the mall — it's the mall itself. Nothing there attracts me to go. I'm more drawn to the independently owned places, not Hard Rock Cafe or the Cheesecake Factory. Just not my scene. It's not dangerous compared to other places I have lived. Just keep your eyes open and have awareness of the people around you. More shootings in "SoBro" than 16th Street Mall.

What concerns you about the 16th Street Mall? Security, the homeless...or the lack of independent places to eat?

A message from Food & Drink Editor Molly Martin: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Denver’s evolving dining scene and the latest culinary innovations our community offers.

Support Today