Cherry Creek Perspective

ATTAINABLE HOUSING

Denver City Council Member Chris Hinds reports Denver has expanded its efforts to help the homeless during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Denver acquired an additional 151 respite-care hotel rooms, bringing the total to 270 rooms. Denver continues to reach out to local and state providers as well as hotel and motel operators to find additional rooms. Denver has also opened the National Western Complex’s Hall of Education as a 24/7 shelter. The Hall housed 700 men and transgender individuals presenting as men. This facility absorbs guests from other shelters so that they can rearrange their shelters for greater social distancing. Plans are also underway to open a 24/7 shelter at the Denver Coliseum for up to 300 women and transgender individuals presenting as women.

https://coloradosun.com/2020/04/07/denver-shelter-homelessness-colorado/

https://www.denverpost.com/2020/03/23/denver-homeless-coronavirus/

MOBILITY

Residents of the eight-county Regional Transportation District (RTD) who are interested in public transit issues and community engagement are encouraged to apply for one of three vacancies on the RTD Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). The 17-member citizens group advises the agency on RTD’s strategies, initiatives and transportation programs, including the FasTracks transit expansion program. CAC members represent a wide variety of backgrounds, interests and professional experiences. The group’s public outreach meetings keep metro-area citizens informed on RTD programs and encourage input from local communities. To be considered, applications must be received by the close of business on May 15, 2020. Selection criteria include, residency within the RTD district; a demonstrated interest in public transit and the FasTracks program; previous community service; experience working with local jurisdictions on regional issues; and professional expertise. The CAC’s role is to:

• Monitor and provide input on the improvements for each corridor in the FasTracks Plan
• Become familiar with the District’s strategic plan and long-term vision
• Provide region-oriented advice to RTD regarding the implementation of the strategic plan, its strategies and initiatives
• Represent the citizen perspective on behalf of a wide range of stakeholder interests and community organizations
• Gather information from community members to share with the agency
• Share information with community members to promote public awareness of the agency’s programs and projects
• Other tasks as assigned by the RTD Board of Directors.

For more information, contact Roger Sherman at 303-592-5465 and/or apply online:

https://rtddenver.wufoo.com/forms/mm87xaq0s0vsic/

REAL ESTATE

Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods received a response from the City of Denver Community Planning and Development to its comments regarding potential changes to the Golden Triangle Neighborhood Plan.

“We encourage you to review the information about the project included below, including the relationship of potential changes to important mountain views.

Mountain views from Cheesman Park: We understand there is a lot of concern about views of the mountains from Cheesman Park, which we know are important to the identity of the city and its residents. Based on our full analysis, taller Point Towers won’t be visible from this view point based on the distance of the Golden Triangle from Cheesman Park (1 ¼ miles) and the elevation change (100-150 feet lower). In addition, the geographic location of the Golden Triangle is largely to the north of the primary view of Mount Evans, which is in a southwesterly direction from the Cheesman Pavilion.

“Point Towers”: If included in a potential zoning change, this building form would implement a recommendation from the Golden Triangle Neighborhood Plan to encourage a variety of building types and sizes. Additionally, recent construction in the neighborhood has resulted in bulky buildings that have an oversized impact on the pedestrian experience at the street level and limit sunlight and views. Point towers have a taller height but come with strict limitations on the size of the building above 5 stories, and in this area, their height would be limited to ensure views from Cheesman Park are not affected.

Project background: The project to update the Downtown Golden Triangle zoning (D-GT) and design guidelines began in March 2019 under Councilman Wayne New, with the goal of implementing the recommendations in the Golden Triangle Neighborhood Plan adopted in 2014. CPD has continued to work closely with Councilman Chris Hinds and an Advisory Committee composed of Golden Triangle residents, business owners, property owners, and design/development professionals. All public meetings, Advisory Committee meetings, interim reports, and other project-related information is available on the project website.

Where the project is right now: The effort is currently in the stage of evaluating various zoning tools and arriving at a preferred zoning framework. The full draft of the zoning update is anticipated to be complete and released for public review in late summer (August/September) with public hearings at City Council in late November.

Ways to weigh in: An online open house and survey are currently available on the project website. We encourage you to watch the presentation, read the board materials and take the survey, which is currently scheduled to close April 27. Your contact information has also been added to the project email list to receive future communications.

We hope that you will continue to monitor progress of this effort and provide feedback as additional materials are released for public review. Thank you for your time and participation.”

http://www.denvergov.org/goldentriangle

https://www.chundenver.org/uploads/7/5/9/8/75987511/chun_alert_re_golden_triangle.pdf

Denver City Council Members Kendra Black and Paul Kashmann report a Community Information Meeting virtual open house is planned regarding the closed K-Mart store at the SEC Monaco/Evans. Forum Real Estate purchased the property in September 2019. Join this community information meeting to view the large development proposal. City staff will address city processes and standards for evaluating the proposal.

Wednesday, May 6 – 6:00-7:00 PM
Phone: 346-248-7799 – meeting ID: 305 381 908.
Zoom meeting: https://zoom.us/s/305381908

Denver City Council Member Amanda Sawyer reports an East Area Plan Virtual Open House. Since the release of the draft East Area Plan, Community Planning and Development has received more than 350 comments. Details to join online or by phone still to come! Please RSVP here to help us accommodate everyone. You can also submit your questions ahead of time here.”

Tuesday, May 12- 6:00-7:00 PM
https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/community-planning-and-development/planning-and-design/Neighborhood_Planning_Initiative/Planning-Areas/East_Area_Plan.html

Denver City Council Member Kendra Black reports construction of the High Line Canal Underpasses at Hampden and Colorado has begun by the City Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI). This project will build two underpasses to reroute the trail under Colorado & Hampden in two underpasses with a 10-foot wide multi-use trail along the north side of Hampden with completion in late spring 2021.

https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/transportation-infrastructure/programs-services/projects/high-line-canal/high-line-canal-trail-colorado-hampden.html

The City and County of Denver is transforming a stretch of Bannock Street in front of city hall from 14th Avenue to Colfax Avenue into a versatile public gathering space that people on foot and on bikes can enjoy year-round and experience as a new gateway to Civic Center Park.

https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/transportation-infrastructure/programs-services/projects/bannock-street.html