September Talk Of The Neighborhood
Compiled by Cara DeGette, Editor, GPHN
McAuliffe Safe Routes To School Delayed Again
The McAuliffe International Safe Routes To School project — designed to install improvements to sidewalks and other safety measures for Park Hill children on their way to and from school — has been delayed for the second time.
The Safe Routes To School project includes multimodal safety improvements along 23rd Avenue, 25th Avenue, and 26th Avenue, and Kearney Street, including filling in sidewalk gaps and creating a pedestrian crossing island at 23rd Avenue and Kearney.
The project came about after neighborhood parents and community leaders voiced increasing concerns over safety for students amid a sharp increase in neighborhood traffic.
Construction was originally planned to begin in the fall of 2021. But in July of that year, city officials cited “current conditions in the construction industry” for delays. The revised timeline was for completion by the start of this school year.
In an Aug. 24 email, Brenden Paradies, the project manager with Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, said construction has been delayed again because the city has not received any qualified bidders for the work.
“Depending on BIDS received and the construction procurement and contracting process, the goal is to finalize the contracting and award process this fall, 2022, in hopes of starting construction later this year or spring, 2023,” Paradies wrote.
“The construction timeline will also likely depend on availability and delivery of concrete and other construction materials, which at this current construction climate, have had longer lead times than usual.”
Developer To Host Sept. 7 Golf Course Public Meeting
Westside Investment Partners, which wants to develop the Park Hill Golf Course property, is holding a required public meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 7, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Park Hill Clubhouse. The clubhouse is at the corner of 35th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard.
Westside, based in Glendale, Colo., owns the 155-acre now-closed golf course, which is protected by a conservation easement. Last November Denver voters overwhelmingly endorsed a pro-open space initiative designed to make it harder to develop the property.
However, Westside, with assistance from numerous Denver government agencies, has proceeded with an extensive process with the end goal to develop at least one-third of the property.
The Sept. 7 meeting, which is required by the city for such projects, comes two months after Westside formally submitted its plan for development.
Westside’s design map includes residential apartment buildings, commercial space and a “main street,” as well as 75 acres of open space (plus an existing 25-acre retention pond).
The group Save Open Space Denver, which supports keeping the conservation easement in place, is promoting a plan for a regional park at the site.
Check out greaterparkhill.org/news-and-opinion/going-for-green/ for last month’s story and timeline of events related to the golf course property and controversy.
Interactive Map Shows Denver Crime Locations
The Denver Police Department has published a new online mapping system that makes it easier for people to check out what crimes are happening all over Park Hill.
The interactive map includes all neighborhoods in Denver — Park Hill is broken down to include South Park Hill, North Park Hill and Northeast Park Hill.
In August, the most common crimes occurring in Greater Park Hill were property crimes, including auto thefts, burglaries, larceny and theft from vehicles.
This dataset includes criminal offenses in all neighborhoods of the City and County of Denver for the previous five calendar years, plus the current year to date.
The map is at denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Police-Department/Crime-Information.
Save The Date: Oct. 9 Fall Fest In City of Axum Park
Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. is hosting a fall festival on Sunday, Oct. 9. The free community event will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at City of Axum Park, at Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Cherry Street.
Among the festivities planned: face painting, lawn games, a bubble machine, free hot dogs and other snacks. Mark your calendars and check next month’s issue of the newspaper for details.
The September meeting of GPHC, Inc. is Thursday Sept. 1. The meeting is open to all, and begins at 6:30 p.m. at 4823 Fairfax St. See page 1 for additional details on attending virtually or in person.