More than 100 people showed up for Wednesday night’s kickoff meeting to begin planning the 38th and Inca FasTracks station. According to project manager Tom Hoaglund, the attendees came from all three District 9 neighborhoods adjacent to the site (Globeville, Sunnyside, and Highland) and included homeowners, businesspeople, commercial property owners, and other interested parties. Nationally renowned TOD consultant GB Arrington also was on hand. During a short presentation (which will be uploaded soon to the 38th/Inca planning page — I’ll add a link when it’s up), the city listed some areas of preliminary concern, including
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creating good connections across 38th Avenue, so that people on both sides of the thoroughfare have good access to the station (which will lie north of 38th)
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upgrading the 38th Avenue underpass, under the railroad tracks
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ensuring good pedestrian and vehicular connections to Globeville
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encouraging reinvestment in adjacent residential areas
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ensuring that development around the station includes a diversity of housing types and prices
The meeting then divided up into breakout groups, which reported out the community’s concerns and priorities. These largely overlapped with the issues the city raised in its presentation, but there were some additional ones:
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enhancing connections among nearby parks such as Aztlan, Columbus, and Cuernevaca
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creating connections between the neighborhoods north of 38th Avenue and the Platte River bike path
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improving sidewalk conditions and overall pedestrian friendliness throughout the vicinity of the station, especially along 38th Avenue
This station has tremendous potential to unify disparate parts of District 9 and become a new living, working, and entertainment hub. If you missed the meeting, don’t worry; there’ll be plenty more opportunity to get involved.
