History
The Lower Downtown Historic District (LoDo) was formed by an act of City Council in March 1988, with the intention of encouraging the preservation and vitality of an area that is significant because of its architectural, historical, and economic value. The historic status granted protection to the community’s historic resources and to 127 contributing historic structures that remained, as approximately 20% of Lower Downtown’s buildings were demolished in the 1960’s and 70’s. By enactment of a zoning ordinance, building height limitations were set and encouragement of mixed-use development was implemented as well as placement of strict design guidelines for rehabilitation and new construction. LoDo is now home to the largest collection of early 20th century warehouses in the United States.