Hickenlooper Wants to Streamline Building Approval Process

Developers applauded his efforts and say they are looking forward to them being implemented. One idea is for the city to adopt the international building code, which Hickenlooper says could cut costs by 2%. If developers had a uniform code to deal with, they wouldn't have to waste time and money trying to figure out things that may be peculiar to the city.

Another idea being tossed around is to have teams with people representing various departments, and have one person able to give the greenlight to a project, he said. The mayor also said he would like to expedite affordable housing developments as much as possible. One roadblock: neighborhoods still need to be given ample opportunity to respond to projects, so, realistically, Hickenlooper said he's not sure how much time can be shaved off the approval process.

Hickenlooper, who developed a number of affordable and market-rate condo and loft units in the city before becoming mayor, knows that time is money for developers. Developers often have a team of architects, lawyers and engineers who are being paid whether the project is moving forward or not, he said.

Sometimes delays are caused by developers, who are make changes, the mayor tells GlobeSt.com. But often, minor changes end up sending the developer back to square one with the city's bureaucracy. He would like to eliminate that, while at the same time assuring that buildings are being constructed with the health and safety of citizens in mind. The bottom line, he says, is to make doing business with the city as close to one-stop shopping as possible.