Entries from March 2007
Interesting article in the current Westword about Jefferson Park, which lies on the edge of District 9 and has much in common with it. The neighborhood lies due south of Highland, between Federal and the South Platte River — the area just north of Mile High Stadium, pretty much. Jefferson Park has been “discovered,” according to the Westword piece — developers are hovering, and neighbors confronted with change are having to answer hard questions about who they are and what type of place they want to live in.
The article underscores the type of issues being faced throughout District 9 — in Highland, Baker, the Central Platte Valley, the Ballpark Neighborhood, you name it. Ethnic diversity, housing affordability, viewscapes, architectural and historic integrity — they’re all in there. It’s a worthwhile read.
Event reminders:
Categories: by Larry Borowsky
Of all the registered neighborhood associations (RNAs) in Denver, the Lower Downtown Neighborhood Association (LoDoNA) is almost surely the most generous. In addition to the usual RNA activities (neighborhood watches, anti-graffiti campaigns, bureaucratic watchdogging, and the like), LoDoNA expends great time and energy — and above all money — on behalf of charitable causes.
Most of the recipients of LoDoNA’s generosity lie in District 9. They include the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, the Bienvenidos Food Bank, Family Homestead, Urban Peak, North High’s student-assistance program, and residents of the Barth Hotel.
You can support all these efforts — and have a great time in the process — on Saturday, April 7, at Coors Field, where LoDoNA will host the 007 Casino Royale fundraiser. For $65 per person ($125 per couple), you’ll get unlimited access to the gaming tables (roulette, blackjack, Texas Hold ’Em, and craps); food, wine, and music will round out the entertainment. Get more information at the LoDoNA website. Here’s the invite (click on the image for a full-view):
Please come on out, have fun, and support a great organization and some very good causes.
While we’re plugging events: don’t forget to visit Judy and family this weekend at the Picnic on the Platte. And if you haven’t registered yet for the May 1 elections, time to quit stalling — you’ve only got about a week left. Here’s the info you need.
Categories: by Larry Borowsky
At last night’s City Council meeting, Judy sponsored proclamations recognizing two important events taking place in District 9 this weekend. Proclamation 11 recognizes the Denver March PowWow, to be held at the Denver Coliseum this Friday through Sunday, March 23-25. Proclamation 14 honors Cesar Chavez Day, which will be marked by several events this week, including the Cesar Chavez Day Parade on Saturday, March 24 (it begins at 1:30 p.m. on the Auraria Campus).
You can read the text of both proclamations at the City Council website: here’s Proclamation 11, and here’s Proclamation 14.
The PowWow is one of the largest Native American celebrations in the country, drawing performers and artists from more than 80 tribes throughout North America. If you’ve never attended, you really should check it out; click right here for more information.
The Chavez Day event is being sponsored by the Sisters of Color United for Education. Here’s an event flyer; click on the thumbnail for a full-sized image:
Next Monday, March 26, all City offices will be closed in honor of Chavez Day.
Both the PowWow and the Chavez Day festivities exemplify the diversity and community spirit that make District 9 such a great part of Denver. Hope you get a chance to enjoy one or both of the celebrations.
Categories: by Larry Borowsky
The outstanding Denver Infill blog has fresh news on three District 9 projects. First of all, last week witnessed the official groundbreaking at 1515 Wynkoop, site of the former US Postal Annex. Quoting Infill, “The 8-story 1515 Wynkoop building will feature a grand lobby entrance facing Wynkoop Street plus 27,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor, over 260,000 square feet of office space and 10,000 square feet of outdoor terraces on the upper seven floors, and over 400 underground parking spaces.”
Here’s a mockup (click on the picture for an enlarged view):
In the Highland neighborhood, where I live, two new projects are in the planning stages. One, at 3650 Osage, will be a two-story townhome building comprising 10 units. It’s being developed by Paul Tamburello; I’ll send Paul an e-mail and update the blog with more information ASAP.
The other Highland project recently surfaced at a HUNI PCD meeting. It’s called the Skyline Townhomes and will stand at 28th and Zuni — 8 units. Again, I’ll update as soon as I can learn more about this project.
If’n you, dear reader, have additional information about any of these projects, don’t be shy; post a comment.
Categories: by Larry Borowsky
We’d like to thank the Baker Historic Neighborhood Association for inviting us and our opponent, Waldo Benevidez, to the organization’s monthly meeting on Tuesday night, March 13. We took questions from the crowd of about 40 voters and shared our vision for what can happen in the neighborhood and throughout Denver over the next four years.
We were happy to be able to share one good piece of news: After hearing concerns from the District 1 Council Office and Baker residents, CBS has agreed to remove its billboard at 257 Broadway. And just in time for the network’s coverage of March Madness. Let’s go, Salukis!
Categories: by Larry Borowsky
On Monday night, City Council expressed its thanks to City Councilwomen Elbra Wedgeworth and Rosemary Rodriguez. It was Elbra’s final meeting as Council representative; Rosemary resigned effective March 1. This was one of the funnier meetings of the Council during my tenure; it pretty much turned into a roast of our two outgoing colleagues, along with a show of sincere gratitude and appreciation.
I’ve known both these women a long time. Rosemary and I first met 20+ years ago in front of the first home I ever owned, in the Villa Park neighborhood. I was out in front of the house watering the lawn, and she rode by on her bicycle and we got to talking; ever since, our paths have continued to cross. We collaborated in District 9 when I worked as an aide to Councilwoman Deborah Ortega, while Rosemary was a neighborhood representative; we later worked together in Mayor Webb’s administration. And as fate would have it we ended up serving together as colleagues on the Council. Rosemary is off to Washington, D.C., to serve on the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
Best of luck to you, Rosemary; I just know our paths will cross again one of these days.
I also have known Elbra forever, or so it seems. We got to know each other when I worked for Councilwoman Ortega and Elbra was a legislative analyst and a staffer to various Council committees. She, too, was a colleague in the Webb administration. Elbra was Council president during my first two years in office, and she was a fantastic mentor. She helped us learn how to unify as a body and to maintain a certain degree of decorum. Elbra allowed us to disagree but not to disrespect; we had to get along with each other well enough to get our work done.
It was one of the many lessons Elbra has taught me over the years. She’s beginning a new job with Denver Health as government and community relations officer. Please stay close to the phone, Elbra; I might still have a question or two for you once in a while.
Categories: by Judy Montero
Throughout her first term as City Councilwoman from Denver District 9, Judy Montero has always placed communication and responsiveness at the top of her priority list. Now, as she campaigns for a second term as District 9 Councilwoman, here’s another way you can reach her.
And it’s a way she can reach you. If there’s something important happening, something you need to know, anywhere in District 9, you’ll find it here — within hours, maybe within minutes. If it’s going on down in the Baker neighborhood or the Ballpark loft district or Sunnyside or La Alma-Lincoln or Highland, come to the blog to get information and connect with other concerned District 9 citizens. If you care about FasTracks or the redevelopment of Union Station, you’ll get the latest news here, along with advance notice of public hearings. The blog will keep you posted about City Council business involving District 9, keep you posted on bills in committee as well as those coming up for a vote before the full Council.
We’ll keep you posted — and you’ll keep each other posted. If you have information that Judy, and everyone in District 9, needs to hear about, broadcast it here. If you and your neighbors have a fundraiser or an event coming up, let us know. If you’re facing a challenge or celebrating a success, this is the place to spread the word. Ultimately, we hope Judy’s blog will evolve into not just a two-way dialogue between her and residents, but a three-way conversation where District 9ers can talk to each other.
Comments will be moderated, but not to discourage dissent. All points of view are welcome, as long as they a) are on-topic, and b) are expressed in civil language and tone. If you have a quibble — or a more serious disagreement — with Judy, the council, a city department, the administration, or whomever, you’re allowed to speak freely here. Just keep it respectful.
You can help us keep the blog timely and interesting. Know something you think we should know and your neighbors should know? Send an email to BorowskyL@yahoo.com.
Categories: by Larry Borowsky
