FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NETC donates mini-bus to Birdseed Collective

Denver, CO, USA – November 15, 2021 – Having retired their business shuttle program, Northeast Transportation Connections (NETC) has selected Birdseed Collective to be the recipient of the Davey Coach mini-bus originally purchased by Kiewit Meridiam Partners as part of the Central 70 construction project’s commitment to public outreach.

In 2017 NETC was hired by the Colorado Department of Transportation to develop and implement outreach programs for the Globeville-Elyria-Swansea (GES) neighborhoods as well as local employers. These programs were designed to mitigate the disruption caused by the renovation and expansion of Interstate 70. NETC primarily used the mini-bus to ferry employees to work from stations along RTD’s A Line.

Hoping the shuttle could be of use to the GES community once work on Central 70 is complete, NETC sent out an RFP in October. The RFP asked GES community partners and elected officials to solicit proposals from local organizations describing their plans for use of the mini-bus. Once received, NETC asked for community feedback on these proposals, finally selecting Birdseed Collective as the new owners of the shuttle. Birdseed’s plan includes transporting people from their Globeville Center to the RiNo ArtPark – the location of the Birdseed Alto Gallery and a new public library – as well as taking residents to grocery stores on Pecos Street, transporting kids to sports activities, and bringing people to two sites along the Platte River as part of Birdseed’s “science water adventure” curriculum. Birdseed Collective also plans to allow other community organizations to use the mini-bus. “We’re so excited to see what Birdseed Collective will do with the shuttle,” said NETC’s Executive Director Angie Rivera-Malpiede. “Their commitment to this community has been stellar, and they always have great ideas for collaborative programs.”

Birdseed Collective’s mission is “to transform the lives of artists, youth, individuals, and communities through visionary art and civic projects and programs.” In addition to rebranding and reopening the former Globeville Rec Center as a hub for community and youth programs, Birdseed runs healthy food distribution, creates public art for communities throughout the Metro region, and publishes the online visual arts magazine 1of1.

Northeast Transportation Connections is a sustainability initiative under the Foundation for Sustainable Urban Communities. Its mission is to work with the public and private sectors to reduce single occupant vehicle travel, to improve mobility, and to establish sustainable transportation throughout the northeast Denver area by creating, supporting, and promoting an array of transportation options for commuters, residents, students, and visitors.

Contact:

Lacey Champion
LChampion@NEtransportation.org
7350 E. 29th Ave. Suite 300
Denver, CO 80238
USA
Ph: +1-720-675-9761

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