Judy Montero

Denver Planning has released its latest newsletter on Transit-Oriented Development. It includes a couple of updates on stations within the 9th District:

• “10th & Osage: The existing station is within La Alma/ Lincoln Park, a diverse neighborhood in close proximity to downtown. Potential redevelopment in the area should be respectful of the unique neighborhood character and provide enhanced neighborhood connections to area resources such as the Santa Fe Arts District and Lincoln Park. Potential redevelopment should retain or expand the existing supply of affordable housing and introduce a range of housing options.”

• “The 40th and 40th station on the East Corridor is located near the intersections of 40th Avenue and 40th Street. This station is identified as a future major urban center, which is intended to take advantage of the station’s proximity to Downtown Denver and other amenities, as well as the availability of underutilized land for future development.”

Also from the Planning Department: nominations are being accepted for the 3rd Annual Mayor’s Design Awards. District 9 has been well represented in the two-year history of this award, with buildings in the Lincoln Park, Highland, and Ballpark neighborhoods earning recognition. The deadline for 2007 nominations is August 31; here’s a link to the online nomination form.

Two big items on the Council agenda tonight. First, the Council will formally vote on the new Downtown Denver Plan (DDP), a long-overdue update of the 1987 plan. As a member of the steering committee, Judy has put in many hours on the new version of the DDP, fighting to include input not only from District 9’s downtown neighborhoods but also from adjacent neighborhoods (Highland and Lincoln Park) that are affected by the DDP but not included in its geographic scope. The document enjoys broad support both on the Council and among various groups of stakeholders. Judy will be voting in favor of the bill, which is expected to pass without incident.

The other noteworthy item at Council tonight: the final vote on funding for a new crosswalk at Valdez Elementary School in the Highland neighborhood. Judy facilitated the acquisition of $38,941 in state Department of Transportation funds to build an elevated crosswalk at a busy point along Dunkeld Place, where a convergence of cars and buses create unsafe conditions for students traveling to Valdez on foot. The new crosswalk will force vehicles to slow down, and it will make the pedestrians more visible — both of which will increase safety for the students.

Prior to the full Council meeting, Judy will attend this week’s meeting of the Finance Committee, of which she is not a member. The Committee is hearing requests and recommendations pertaining to the Infastructure Task Force, and Judy will be lobbying to restore the 38th Avenue underpass (at I-25) to the city’s list of priority projects — ie, the projects that are first in line for funding. That committee meets at 3:30 this afternoon.