Meeting Seconds
DPD2 UPDATE
Officer Reyes Trujillo discussed arrests made in October in three cases – the recent street robberies, a sexual assault, and in the case of the armed robberies at Colfax businesses in the neighborhood. He stated that while crime was down generally, there has been a recent surge in vehicle and garage break-ins. He also highlighted the success of the 20th Annual DPD Halloween Party and Haunted House, attended by 5,000 kids.
BOARD ELECTIONS
Ryan Hunter, Phil Carlson, James King, Shannon O’Connell, Louis Plachowski, Keith Brown, Tommy Gilhooly were welcomed to a new two-year term on the GPHC board. GPHC held the election for board membership at its annual meeting in October. Vacancies remain in Districts 1, 8 and 9. For more information on the GPHC Board, visit greaterparkhill.org.
DENVER RESCUE MISSION
Alexxa Gagner and Hugh Burns, representing the Denver Rescue Mission, came to discuss their plans for expansion at their facility The Crossing which is located at 6090 Smith Road at Kearney Street. The Crossing is a residential facility that provides long-term rehabilitation and transitional housing for formerly homeless individuals and families who have committed to achieving a life of self-sufficiency. In addition, the DMR will also relocate their administrative offices across the street from The Crossing, at the site of the former Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church – a move precipitated by the I-70 expansion project. Once these two projects are complete, a third project to create a Family Life Center to the south of The Crossing will commence, pending funding. For more information or volunteer opportunities, visit denverrescuemission.org.
CITY PARK LOOP
Hank Bootz discussed the Stop City Loop coalition and its concern with the proposed development at the site of the Dustin Redd Playground in City Park. The issues identified by the coalition include: lack of authentic citizen input – specifically from Registered Neighborhood Organizations; the lack of an environmental impact study; the impact to surrounding neighborhoods – particularly in terms of parking; a lack of an operating budget – particularly for water features; concern that there will be a charge for admission; and the loss of precious open space. The group sought support from the GPHC; in turn the GPHC requested that the group return to the January meeting to discuss a formalized resolution. For more information on Stop City Loop, visit stopcityloop.org.
DISCOVER DENVER
Jessica Uguarte of Discover Denver discussed a building and neighborhood survey underway in the neighborhood, focused on the 1920 Small Homes in the area bounded by 23rd Avenue, Kearney Street, 16th Avenue and the alley between Hudson and Grape. The survey, now in pilot phase no. 2, will gather information about buildings using public records, neighborhood canvassing, academic research and tips from the public. Findings from the survey will later be accessible online so that everyone can learn about Denver’s past – building by building. Uguarte said that most residents will experience little, if any, impact. Surveyors will wear Discover Denver buttons and will not directly contact any neighbors; however, neighbors are welcome to approach surveyors and discuss the history of their homes. Benefits of the project include: identifying buildings of historic and architectural significance; providing property owners and real estate agents up-front information about buildings to inform reinvestment and sale decisions; equipping city planners with information about historic resources when proposing changes to an area; and bolstering civic pride and heritage tourism. The pilot program is anticipated to be completed by summer 2014, when the full citywide survey will begin. For more information, visit discoverdenver.co.
TRAFFIC UPDATE FROM COUNCILWOMAN SUSMAN’S OFFICE
Genny Kline, aide to District 5 Council President Mary Beth Susman, discussed the office’s response to traffic situations on Quebec and Krameria streets. The Quebec Alternatives Analysis is underway; however, Kline reported that concerns boiled over at a recent meeting, and more research is being conducted before the analysis moves ahead. On Krameria, the office held a meeting in August with representatives from the city’s traffic engineering department to discuss the high volume of traffic on the street from Colfax to 18th Avenue. As a result of the meeting, the city has proposed turning restrictions that would prohibit northbound turns from the McDonalds and GoodTimes restaurants’ parking lots. The January GPHC meeting will be dedicated to the traffic topic.
COMMITTEE CHAIR REPORTS
Robyn Fishman, Executive Director, discussed the GPHC Food Pantry holiday plans – turkeys and side dishes needed for baskets. She reported that Larry Ricketts, Membership Chair, had sent out over 100 membership renewal forms. Lynn Kalinauskas, Education Chair, received grateful acknowledgement for her work on the GPHC/NEPHC School Board Candidate Forum. Bernadette Kelly, Zoning Chair, discussed retail marijuana establishments.
The GPHC will not meet in December. The next community meeting will take place Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. (as the first Thursday is too close to New Year’s Day) at the GPHC office at 2823 Fairfax. On the agenda: traffic issues on Krameria and Quebec.