Art, Housing, and Health with Susan Powers
Dot Dot Dot: The NINE dot ARTS Podcast
Episode 80
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Preview the Episode
How do you define a “healthy neighborhood?” What factors do you prioritize when developing these communities? This compelling conversation with Susan Powers, Founder and President of Urban Ventures, delves into these questions and more as Susan reflects on her longstanding career shaping Denver’s urban landscape. She and host Molly Casey discuss strategies like civic engagement, public art integration, and adaptive reuse for both rejuvenating spaces and honoring their historic character. The episode explores Susan’s advocacy for affordable housing projects and the excitement surrounding a new 89-unit supportive housing project in partnership with Warren Village, where public art will help shape community identity and wellbeing. Susan also sheds light on the opportunities and challenges of urban development throughout her career, as well as her vision for revitalizing downtown Denver to create increased economic and livability benefits for all.
Discussed in the Episode:
Urban Ventures
Susan Powers
Warren Village
Denver Urban Renewal Authority (Dura)
Federico Pena
Forney Museum
Aria Denver
Marycrest
Florence Crittenden School
Regis University
Colorado Health Foundation
Mariposa
Mithun Architects
Lodo
Gorman Development
Dana Crawford
Dana Crawford on The NINE dot ARTS Podcast
Susan Powers on LinkedIn
About Susan Powers:
Susan Powers is the President of Urban Ventures LLC, a Denver-based real estate development company which she created in 1998. Urban Ventures focuses its efforts in urban neighborhoods, close to the core of downtown. In each development, there is a strong emphasis on community building in the context of social, environmental and economic viability. This is reflected in developments that have included historic renovation, affordable housing, transit-oriented development, Brownfields redevelopment, student housing, modular housing, and mixed use projects in non-traditional neighborhoods. Susan is known as an advocate for affordable and mixed income development in Denver through both her private development activities and civic engagement.
Prior to creating Urban Ventures, Susan was Executive Director of DURA (Denver Urban Renewal Authority) for 11 years (late 80s and 90s) and participated in the redevelopment of downtown Denver. She is a member of the board of directors of Denver Health and Hospital Authority and the Elevation Community Land Trust and participates in many community initiatives regarding affordable housing including MAAH (Mothers Advocating for Affordable Housing), which she co-created with well-known Denver preservationist Dana Crawford. She has a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from the University of Arizona.
About Dot Dot Dot: The NINE dot ARTS Podcast:
Dot Dot Dot is the continuing conversation around art in the built environment. Episodes explore art, culture, placemaking, and more with a range of reputable art and business leaders. Tune in biweekly to learn how an original art experience can boost your business and make a positive social impact. Episodes are available wherever you get your podcasts!