district 4 contacts dear southeast denver friends …...district 4 contacts dear southeast denver...

I am honored to be your representative on the Denver City Council. It has been quite a year! This annual newsletter highlights what we’ve accomplished and what is planned for the future. Moving forward in 2016, I will continue to advocate for southeast Denver by bringing together the community to ensure we have a voice in the future of our city.

We hope to see you at these events! As always, my staff and I are here to serve you. Please contact us with your questions, concerns and ideas. Have a great summer!

COUNCIL DISTRICT 43540 S. Poplar St., Ste. 100Denver, CO 80237720.337.4444

[email protected]@[email protected]@denvergov.org

GET THE SCOOPDue to budget constraints, we are only able to mail a printed newsletter once a year. To receive our monthly e-newsletter, The Scoop, please contact [email protected] or 720-337-4444.

DENVER POLICE DEPT.DISTRICT 31625 S. University Blvd.Denver, CO 80210Emergency: 911Non-Emergency: 720.913.2000Police District 3: 720.913.1300Crime Stoppers Anonymous:720.913.7867 (STOP)Gang Hotline: 720.913.1339Report Graffiti: 311 [email protected]

CITY SERVICES Call 3-1-1 for city services.

The City depends on you to report problems. Please call 3-1-1, visit pocketgov.com or email [email protected] to submit a request.

District 4 Contacts Dear Southeast Denver Friends and Neighbors,

You are invited to Denver DaysDenver Days Picnic & Jazz

August 3, 7-8:30 p.m., Eisenhower Park Pavilion

Bring a summer picnic, enjoy the sounds of the Denver Municipal Brass Band, and meet your neighbors. Please bring new socks or

underwear to donate to Clothes to Kids or new school supplies to Be the Love Foundation (both are located in southeast Denver.)

We want to hear from you! What’s Your Vision?

Join us this fall to learn how Denver is changing and to share your ideas about the future of southeast Denver, while preserving our strong, stable

neighborhoods and parks. Please attend these important sessions:

TOWN HALL & VISIONINGSept. 20, 6-7:30 p.m. OR

Sept. 24, 12:30-2 p.m. Thomas Jefferson High School

FOLLOW-UP WORKSHOP Oct. 25 6-7:30 p.m. OROct. 29, 12:30-2 p.m.

Thomas Jefferson High School

Also, please fill out the survey in this newsletter or go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CPW9RTB.

Senior Series 4Housing & FinanceJuly 27, 1-3 p.m.Eisenhower Rec Center

Senior Series 5Health & MedicareSeptember 28, 1-3 p.m. Eisenhower Rec Center

Senior Office HoursAugust 10, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. District Office3540 S. Poplar Street, Suite 100Get answers to your questions on transportation, home modifications services, Medicare and more. Contact [email protected] or 720-337-4444 to make an appointment.

Just for seniors

Transit Oriented Developments are communities near light rail stations where people can conveniently access housing, restaurants, stores and transit. With a housing

shortfall, TOD developments can help solve our housing crisis while reducing traffic congestion. We are fortunate to have four light rail stations in southeast Denver.

| SOUTHEAST DENVER SCOOP

District Projects

Thank you so much for tirelessly advocating for our neighborhood street improvements.

– Hutchinson Hills resident

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Transit Oriented Development helps housing crisis

The Colorado Center Station is a centrally located TOD with businesses, housing and entertainment options. A new office tower, apartment building and “main street” with retail and restaurants are under construction.

The southeast corner of Evans & Colorado is likely to be redeveloped as part of the Colorado Center TOD in the coming years. Developers are considering options.

The Yale Station features mixed-income developments: The Yale Station Apartments provide affordable senior housing.

The Garden Court Apartments (affordable family/workforce housing) will open in July. Residents will receive an eco-pass to take advantage of public transit. The current wait list for rooms is over 300 applicants.

A new market-rate 112-unit apartment building at 5101 E. Yale will break ground in 2018.

Yale Station

The Belleview Station has two new apartment buildings, restaurants, stores and an office building. More development is expected.

Belleview Station

Colorado Center Station

Southmoor StationThe Southmoor Station is near shopping, apartments, a movie theater and restaurants. A new restaurant or retail pad is planned.

Yale Avenue ImprovementsDenver Public Works is working with Arapahoe County to design and fund improvements on Yale from I-25 to Monaco. Plans include adding a crosswalk near the Yale Station, widening the lanes to improve traffic flow, adding more turn lanes and repaving the corridor. Improved traffic signals will move traffic more efficiently through the bottleneck at Holly and Yale. The project is in the design phase and construction may start in 2018. Councilwoman Black is advocating for the replacement of the High Line Canal bridge at Holly and Yale and for the construction of an underpass for pedestrians and bikes, as well as improved sidewalks along Yale.

Closed K-Mart and Walmart at Monaco and EvansThese properties are not for sale, and the owners do not have plans for them at this time. Redeveloping the properties are top priorities for Councilwoman Black who is working with our real estate department and the property owners to explore land use solutions.

The new Southeast Department of Motor Vehicles will open in the former Walmart shopping center this fall.

Closed Safeway at Happy CanyonSafeway owns the building and has no plans for it. Councilwoman Black continues to work with the owners to encourage a new use for the vacant building.

Rockies Inn at Evans and I-25There was a significant fire this spring. The developer is currently waiting on permit approval to start the demolition. A storage facility with 920 units is planned.

Miscellaneous projects• Public Storage at Goldsmith Shopping Center is under

construction. An apartment building is planned at the former strip mall.

• Denver Christian Van Dellen School at Warren & Ash is being developed into 79 townhomes.

• New luxury high-rise apartments are under construction at Ulster & Union.

• A CVS will be built on the corner of Tamarac & Hampden. Three existing office buildings will be torn down. Plans include a pedestrian and bicycle zone and other retail shops. Construction is expected to begin in 2018.

• The Robinson Law building at 2865 S. Colorado Blvd is being demolished. A tenant has not been identified.

• Separated bike lanes are planned for Union St. from

Monaco to Yosemite and on Ulster St. from Princeton to Belleview.

• Some of the Hampden Heights paths will be replaced in 2017 with concrete. The remainder should be completed in 2018. If you see a particularly hazardous section of a path, please alert our office with the exact location and we’ll report it for repair.

• The crusher fines path along Goldsmith Gulch from Mansfield to Hampden will be replaced this year with concrete.

• An enhanced crosswalk to Bible Park at Amherst & Quebec is expected to be constructed in 2017.

• Eisenhower tennis courts are scheduled to be resurfaced this fall.

• The dirt mound located in the shopping center at Hampden & Yosemite will be developed into a Les Schwab tire store.


District ProjectsA variety of district projects and improvements are underway

You are a diligent advocate for southeast Denver and a terrific communicator. I appreciate you getting the

Mayor out here to the hinterlands.

– Wellshire resident

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Getting to know your neighbors and talking about ways to help each other is an effective way to make your neighborhood a safe, vibrant place.

Councilwoman Kendra Black

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Your Community

Denver Police District 3 Commander Magen Dodge, Officer Mike Borquez, and our office want to remind you to lock your doors at all times. Do not leave valuables in your car. Do not leave your garage open and unattended. And, please turn on your exterior porch lights at night.

Take action by calling 911 if there is a crime “in the act.” Call non-emergency 720-913-2000 “after the fact.”

Police provide safety reminders

Register your neighborhood groupRegistered Neighborhood Organizations (RNOs) are neighborhood groups that meet regularly, work together for changes and improvements, and organize social activities within their community.

Because they are on-file, RNOs receive notification of proposed zoning amendments, landmark designation applications, planning board and board of adjustment hearings, liquor and cabaret licenses, and other activities occurring in the neighborhood. Applications are available July 1 at www.denvergov.org/rno.

You are our eyes and ears

The City depends on you to report problems. Please call 3-1-1, visit pocketgov.com or email [email protected] to submit a request. Here are the most common requests made through the 311 system: • Potholes: generally repaired in 72 hours• Neighborhood Inspections: Weeds over 6 inches,

inoperable vehicles, cars parked on grass, etc. • Streetlight outage• Missed recycling service• Traffic signal and crosswalk requests

Being a Good Neighbor is as easy as 1-2-3

Become a block liaison

• Collect & distribute contact information for your neighbors.

• Coordinate a Neighborhood Watch meeting with the Denver Police Department.

• Plan a block party.• Distribute emergency

preparedness information.• Work on a common concern or

neighborhood project.• Collaborate with the Council

Office, neighborhood organizations, and the Denver Police Department.

• Provide a way to get information out to individuals in a quick, concise manner.

Spread the word

• Deliver the Good Neighbor brochure and meet your neighbors.

• Talk to neighbors about helping each other.

• Distribute brochures through your school, book club, or game night.

Get to know your neighbors

• Sign up for nextdoor.com.• Be aware of what’s happening in

your neighborhood and who is out of town.

• Bring in the newspaper and/or trashcan when your neighbor is out of town.

• Help your neighbor with deliveries.

• Help your neighbor shovel their sidewalk.

• Call your neighbor if you see their garage door open.

• Watch for the safety of neighborhood children, the elderly, and those in need.

• Report suspicious activity to 9-1-1.

1 2 3We will launch our Good Neighbor Program and provide information on the Neighborhood Watch Program at our

Denver Days Picnic August 3, 7-8:30 p.m. at Eisenhower Park. Take charge of your neighborhood’s safety, consider being a Block Liaison. To get started, stop by the picnic or call the District 4 City Council office, 720-337-4444.

Belleview Farmers MarketFOODIES Sunday markets will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from June 9 through October 30. Markets feature an evolving mix of food vendors, a comfortable dining tent with tables and kids activities, as well as both live and recorded music.

FOODIES Thursday markets will be held 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from June 23 through October 27. The markets offer a shady outdoor lunch and afternoon coffee/happy hour venue for area residents and office workers. For more information, visit www.foodiesoutdoormarkets.com.

Be a Smart AshThe invasive and destructive pest, the Emerald Ash Borer is heading to Denver. Be the Smart Ash Campaign encourages property owners to plant new trees before losing established ones to EAB. If your tree is in the public right-of-way, you may be eligible for a free tree.

Take the rec center surveyDo you use the Eisenhower Rec Center? The YMCA? 24 Hour Fitness? We are interested in where you work out, and if you think southeast Denver needs more options. Please fill out this short survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/District4RecCenter.

Happy summer, everyone! It was a terrific school year in the Denver Public Schools. I want to share with you a few highlights and things to look forward to next year.

Did you know that southeast Denver schools are among the top performing schools across the city? This coming year, two of our schools welcome new school leaders: Cesar Rivera at Samuels Elementary and Mike Christoff at Thomas Jefferson High School. I’m excited for these leaders to continue the great work of prior leaders.

Thanks to the voters who supported the DPS 2012 bond, we opened the first new school building in southeast Denver in decades. In its first year, Joe Shoemaker Elementary School is a thriving expeditionary learning experience in a beautiful setting.

Colorado ranks 46th in the nation for funding our public schools. This June, a 75-member citizens’ advisory committee asked the Board of Education to place a bond and mill levy on the November ballot. The funds will support DPS with focused programs to improve learning.

To learn more about the bond and the mill levy programs, visit bond.dpsk12.org. I am eager to meet with you– whether individually or in group discussions. Simply reach out to me at [email protected].


Your Community

Southeast schools among top performers

By Anne RoweBoard of Education representative and board president

Thank you so much for helping make our neighborhood safe for our families and kids. The sign went up just a couple of days ago, and we were ecstatic. I appreciate your persistence in getting this done. It is a pleasure having a representative like you who looks out for her district.

– University Hills resident

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”Odd and ends

Preschool tuition assistance available The Denver Preschool Program makes preschool possible for all Denver families with 4-year-olds through tuition assistance and access to more than 250 high quality preschool programs—regardless of income or neighborhood. Tuition assistance is provided on a sliding scale so that families with the least amount of income receive the most monthly credits, which can be applied to their program of choice.

For more information, and to sign up for tuition support anytime, visit www.dpp.org/NOW or call 303-595-4DPP.


Like many of you, I am a Denver native and can remember a quieter city with less traffic and fewer people. Can you recall the 1980s and 1990s when Denver’s population was shrinking? The oil bust devastated our economy. Families were moving to the suburbs because of court-ordered school busing. In 1990, our population hit a low of about 468,000.

Since then, our city and business leaders have worked hard to diversify our economy so our prosperity is not dependent on a single industry. DIA has been a critical factor in our economic growth. Lowry, Stapleton and Green Valley Ranch are wonderful, new planned communities attracting families. The Denver Public Schools has record high enrollment and is building new schools. The Denver Union Station is a jewel made possible by public-private partnerships. Denver is

now a world class city, and the 2nd fastest growing in the U.S. It is a top destination for millennials. Our population is expected to reach 700,000 this year!Denver’s economic position is the strongest that it has ever been. The economy is booming and unemployment is low. It is a business-friendly place, attracting both Fortune 500 companies and small businesses. Housing is one of our biggest challenges. There is not enough of it, so rents and home prices are high. Colorado is 55,000 housing units short of meeting our housing demand. To meet the demand, there are new apartment buildings going up throughout Denver.

Much of the new construction is near light rail stations. Transit Oriented Developments (TODs) are designed for Denver’s residents to live, work, eat, innovate, and

Future Vision

Denver: past, present, futureT

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Ross-University Hills Library

1960

2014

University Hills Mall

1966

2014

1975

Tamarac Square

2016


socialize—and to get us out of our cars, using public transportation. Many people are surprised to learn that density at stations is actually better for traffic congestion (and the environment) than sprawl which uses many more resources.

We are fortunate in southeast Denver to be home to four light rail stations, which connect us to our commercial corridors: Colorado, Yale, Southmoor and Belleview. Additionally, the Dayton Station is on our border. We are seeing lots of changes and new construction of housing, offices and retail near our stations. These investments are an opportunity for us to imagine the possibilities of a connected, walkable, bike-able, greener and more aesthetically pleasing southeast Denver.

Future Vision

Denver: past, present, future

1975

Tamarac Square

2016

The old University Hills shopping center was a true gathering place for the community.

How you can helpMany of you have asked what we can do to improve southeast Denver, attracting more local retail and restaurants and creating some gathering places like a “main street,” while preserving our strong, stable neighborhoods and parks. You can help to create a vision and shape the future of southeast Denver. Please fill out our survey and join us:

Denver 101 & Southeast Denver Visioning Town Hall & Visioning: Sept. 20, 6-7:30 p.m. OR Sept. 24, 12:30-2 p.m., Thomas Jefferson High SchoolFollow-Up Workshop: Oct. 25 6-7:30 p.m. OR Oct. 29, 12:30-2 p.m., Thomas Jefferson High School


Denver’s Charter (constitution) established a non-partisan, strong mayor form of government. City Council’s powers include making laws, appropriating money, and land use. Each year the Council passes about 1,000 resolutions and bills. There are 13 council members: 11 from equally populated districts and two elected at-large. Highlights of our legislative work include:

Marijuana Regulation• Legal medical and recreational marijuana were both

approved by Colorado voters. • In 2013, City Council crafted a law to regulate

recreational marijuana through 2015.• In April, Council worked with key stakeholders on both

sides and passed a very restrictive new law. The key components include: a cap on the number of new store and cultivation locations, a moratorium on new medical center and cultivation licenses, spacing requirements for cultivation facilities, and a community engagement plan for new license and renewal license applications.

• Additionally, we passed an odor ordinance that will control marijuana odor.

Short-Term Rentals • There are more than 2,000 short-term rentals listed

online for Denver. Prior to adoption of the new law, rental agreements of fewer than 30 days were illegal.

• Adapting to the changing economy, the Council passed a law on June 13 to legalize and regulate short-term rentals. Property owners may only rent their primary residence. The law requires owners to obtain a license, follow rules and pay a lodgers’ tax. An advisory committee will monitor the industry and make recommendations for future regulation.

Wastewater Fee Increases• Wastewater includes both sanitary and storm sewer. • Denver has $1.5 billion in wastewater infrastructure

needs. Much of our infrastructure is aging and needs to be improved to protect neighborhoods and our rivers.

• On June 13, the Council approved increases to our wastewater fees.

• Average fee increase is about $23 per household per year. Denver’s fees remain below the metro-area average.

Land-Use and Zoning • Much of City Council’s time is spent on land use and

zoning.• Denver’s Zoning Code regulates land use and

development. When land owners plan to build on their property and comply with the Code, it is their “use by right” to construct what is permitted by law. If new developments do not comply with the Code, applicants may apply for a rezoning.

• In 2015, 192 pre-applications were submitted to Planning Department for rezonings. The Council approved 30, just 16%.

Mobility and Sidewalks• Improved pedestrian, bicycle and car safety are a top

priority.• Serving on the Sidewalk Working Group, the Mobility

and Transportation Planning Group, and Denver Moves: Peds and Trails, I am advocating for improved paving, sidewalks, crosswalks, bike-ability and connectivity.

• We are examining the policies of other cities and exploring solutions.

Legislative issues include marijuana, land use

Legislative Update


Celebrate the City

You are invited to a citywide planning process. Denveright is a community-driven planning process that challenges us to shape Denver’s future in four key areas: land use, mobility, parks, and recreational resources.

Task forces that include neighborhood advocates will draft four plans: Blueprint Denver (land use), Denver Moves—Pedestrians & Trails, Denver Moves—Transit and Game Plan for Parks. For more information, visit denvergov.org/denveright.

The University of Colorado A Train opened to the public in April. Riders can go from Union Station to DIA in 37 minutes for just $9. For those of us who don’t live downtown, there are several park-and-rides along the route, or we can transfer to the A Train from a light rail line.

The R Line which goes along I-225 in Aurora will open this fall. Southeast Denver residents will be able to take the R Line and transfer to the A Train at Peoria.

This 400 acre transit oriented development at 61st and Peña includes trails, open space, parks, plazas, a festival street, and a complete mix of uses including a parking garage covered by a 1.5MW solar array with battery back-up and a micro grid. RTD’s commuter rail will make regular stops at the station.

The North American headquarters for Panasonic Enterprise Solutions features an Innovation Lab that will include airport applications of technology. It is expected to open this fall.

Thanks to Denver voters, the National Western Center will be transformed into a year-round regional complex for the arts, entertainment, education, competition and commerce.

Partners include National Western Stock Show, Colorado State University, Denver Water, and more. NWC will be an economic engine for Denver employing local workers for construction and operations. There is much work to be done, including major infrastructure projects. In the meantime, the annual stock show will go on.

Panasonic builds in Denver

National Western Center changes

Input sought for High Line Canal vision

A Train is ready to ride

Council members Albus Brooks, Kendra Black and Chris Herndon enjoy the opening of the A Train.

Denver Water owns the High Line Canal which has long been used for water delivery. It is inefficient with 70 percent of canal water lost through seepage and evaporation. Denver Water is transitioning its customers—like the Wellshire Golf Course—off of the canal. A new irrigation system will be installed at Wellshire using potable water.

High Line trail users will be able to get from Denver to Cherry Hills via two tunnels funded by DRCOG. One tunnel will go under Colorado Boulevard from Magna Carta Park to Wellshire. The other will take trail-users from Wellshire, under Hampden, to the trail on the south side of Hampden. Construction will start in 2018.

The High Line Canal Conservancy has been holding community meetings this summer. Thank you to the 350 southeast Denver residents who attended our April meeting. You are invited to help create a vision for the High Line Canal by attending meetings on September 7 and 8, and October 19 and 20. Visit highlinecanal.org for more information.

Denveright addresses four key areas in city planning


YEAR IN REVIEW350The number of

people that attended the Wellshire, High

Line, and Yale community meeting

TRAFFIC & ROAD SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS• Paving • Crosswalks Painted • Moved School

Bus Stop • Safety, Traffic, & Parking Signs Installed • Potholes Reported & Filled

Held 6 Senior Series meetings & 6 senior office hours with nearly 500 ATTENDEES

DISTRICT 456,000 RESIDENTS10.52 SQUARE MILES33.9 MILES OF WALKS & TRAILS16 PARKS & 2 GOLF COURSES9 PUBLIC SCHOOLS2 INTERSTATE FREEWAYS3 STATE HIGHWAYS4 LIGHT RAIL STATIONS15 FOOD STORES

• Neighborhood Planning • Recycling in Parks • Highline Canal Improvements • Additional Paving Crew • Multimodal Transportation Improvements • Parking Spots

OPENING OFBELLEVIEW STATIONFARMER’SMARKET

SERVED ON ATTENDED

7 256 COMMITTEES MEETINGS

Launching in 2016...Good Neighbor ProgramDistrict 4 Visioning

DISTRICT TOURS GIVENto Mayor Michael Hancock, CDOT Director Shailen Bhatt, City Council President Chris Herndon & many more

Working On It...• TJ Bus Shelter • Public Art •

High Line Tunnel @ Yale & Holly • Improved Walkability • Restaurants & Retail • K-Mart Redevelopment • Happy Canyon Safeway • Snow Issues on Hampden • Resurfacing Hampden Heights Paths • Paving

SENIORS

ADVOCATE

D FOR

COMMUNICATION

RESPONDED TO 2,600 EMAILSAND 1,876 CALLS

COMMUNICATIONMAILED 33,000 PRINTED NEWSLETTERS EMAILED 40,000 EDITIONS OF THE SCOOP T O R E S I D E N T S

CONSTITUENT SERVICES

PROBLEMS SOLVEDFENCES REPAIREDPARKS CLEANED UPSIDEWALKS SHOVELEDRATS ERADICATEDREPLACED TREES


Please take the time to fill out this survey and return it to our office at 3540 S. Poplar St., Suite 100, Denver, 80237. You are welcome to fill out this copy, or if you prefer, online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CPW9RTB.

Please list which southeast Denver neighborhood you live in, your name, address, email, age, and how long you have lived in SE Denver (optional).

Name: Age:

Neighborhood: Years in SE Denver:

Address: Email:

1. On a scale from 1 (extremely important) to 5 (not important), please score each of the following potential im-provements in terms of importance TO YOU.

__ Street Maintenance __ Pedestrian Safety & Walkability __ Bike Safety & Access__ Car Safety __ Access to Public Transportation__ Street Aesthetics & Curb Appeal (landscaping, lighting, sidewalks, public art)

2. On a scale from 1 (very safe and walkable) to 5 (not at all safe or walkable), please rank the following roads in terms of walkability and safety.

__ Colorado Boulevard __ Evans Ave. __ Hampden Ave. __ Yale Ave.

3. On a scale from 1 (most important and relevant) to 5 (not important or relevant), please score each of the follow-ing amenities in terms of importance and relevance TO YOU.

__ Recreation/Community Center __ Trails __ Restaurants __ Retail__ In-door Public Pool __ Public Plaza __ Farmer’s Market __ Office Space __ Parks & Golf Courses __ Public Art __ Cultural Events __ Affordable Housing 4. How would you describe southeast Denver to someone who does not live here?

5. What do you value most about southeast Denver?

6. What do you hope to see in southeast Denver 5-10 years from now?

7. What other comments or concerns about the future of southeast Denver do you have?

Survey


3540 S. Poplar St., Suite 100Denver, CO [email protected]

Tate Carpenter Tate is from Bozeman, Montana and a graduate in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Tate is in charge of constituent services and community outreach. In her free time, Tate enjoys playing soccer, dancing salsa, and testing her trivia knowledge on “Jeopardy.”

Kathy Gile Kathy grew up in Denver and is passionate about her hometown community. She attended Colorado College where she met her husband Jim. They raised their two kids in Southern Hills and still reside there today. Kathy handles special district projects, the Senior Series and legislative issues. Kathy is a Master Gardener and in the winter enjoys skiing at Winter Park with her family.

Liz Zukowski Liz is from Houston, Texas, though she considers Colorado her home. She recently graduated with an Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Colorado Denver. Liz focuses on the Good Neighbor Program and assists with other D4 projects. When she’s not in the office, Liz loves hiking with her dog and exploring Denver.

Meet the District 4 council office staff

Left to right: Liz Zukowski, Kendra Black, Officer Mike Borquez, Tate Carpenter and Kathy Gile.

district 4 contacts dear southeast denver friends …...district 4 contacts dear southeast denver...

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