News in brief
Developers to Update Plan For 28th And Fairfax Street
The developers who quietly purchased much of the business block of Fairfax between 28th and 29th Avenues will present their plans during on Feb. 2 at 2823 Fairfax St, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The plans include demolishing the buildings on the east side of the street and building two-story townhomes, residential micro-units, restaurant and retail space. The developer, HM Capital, also purchased the building on the west side of the street that currently houses the CrossFit 1098 gym.
HM Capital is also pursuing a land swap with the city to obtain the former Xcel power substation property next to the CrossFit gym. Denver Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Scott Gilmore previously told the Park Hill neighborhood that the city intended to install a park there. However, HM Capital wants to develop that land. In exchange, they would incorporate an open area into their development project on the east side of the street. As of press time, the status of that proposed land swap is unclear.
The Greater Park Hill News broke the story about the development in October. HM Capital officers met at least twice last year with Denver City Councilman Chris Herndon, who represents Park Hill, about the project. But so far, neither the elected official nor the developers have sought community input, drawing criticism from community leaders and neighbors. (The news story can be read online at greaterparkhill.org/2016/10/massive-redevelopment-planned-28th-fairfax-business-block/.)
If you are unable to attend the Feb. 2 meeting but would like to weigh in on the project, contact editor@greaterparkhill.org.
Constituents Jamming Up Phone Lines
Since Donald J. Trump unexpectedly won the presidency in November, Colorado’s congressional representatives in Washington have reported a flood of constituents calling, writing, and showing up to express their views – and concerns.
Rep. Diana DeGette, a Democrat who represents Denver, reported in late January that the number of calls to both her Denver and Washington DC offices have doubled or tripled since the election, including 1,570 emails in one seven-day period. Fully three-fourths of the calls have been from constituents concerned about the proposed repeal of the Affordable Health Care Act and afraid about losing access to health care. According to her spokeswoman, other topics have included Russian interference in the November election to the rise in hate crimes to concerns over the President’s cabinet nominees and his refusal to release his tax returns. Spokespeople for Colorado’s two U.S. senators, Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner, report a similar sharp uptick in calls, emails and requests for meetings from constituents with similar concerns. Here are ways you can contact your representatives in Denver and Washington to voice your opinions:
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colorado)
Sen. Bennet’s Denver office number is 303-455-7600, or toll-free at 866-455-9866. The Washington number is 202-224-5852. His email can be accessed at his website, bennet.senate.gov, and there is also an area to request a meeting. Bennet’s Twitter handle is @SenBennetCO and his Facebook page is Senator Michael Bennet.
U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colorado)
Sen. Gardner’s Denver office phone number is (303) 391-5777. His Washington office number is (202) 224-5941. His email can be accessed on his website, at gardner.senate.gov/ (click on “Contact Cory”). In-person meeting requests can also be made at that link. Gardner’s Twitter handle is @SenCoryGardner and his Facebook page is Senator Cory Gardner.
U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Denver
Rep. DeGette’s Denver office is 303-844-4988. Her Washington office number is (202) 225-4431. Her email can be accessed at her website, degette.house.gov/contact, which also provides ways to send her e-mail or request a meeting. DeGette’s Twitter handle is @RepDianaDeGette and her Facebook page is Congresswoman Diana DeGette.
Post-Election Calls, Emails To Rep. DeGette
The charts below show the spikes in calls and emails to DeGette’s offices in Denver and Washington, D.C.
Mike Johnston’s Hat Officially In The Ring
Former Colorado state Sen. Mike Johnston, whose district included Park Hill, announced his candidacy for Governor of Colorado in 2018. Johnston, pictured above with his son Seamus during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Marade on Jan 16, kicked off his campaign the next day at the Boys & Girls Club at 33rd and Holly Street. Johnston, a former school principal who grew up in Vail, spent eight years in the state senate before he was term limited last year. During his January kick-off speech before a crowd of about 100, Johnston vowed a focus on what he called “Frontier Fairness” and said his platform would include a plan for debt-free college or job training for Colorado residents. Other potential candidates to replace Gov. John Hickenlooper – who will be term-limited in 2018 – include Democratic Congressman Ed Perlmutter, former U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and former Lt. Gov. Cary Kennedy. Potential Republican candidates include Secretary of State Wayne Williams and 18th Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler. Photo by Cara DeGette