Author Archives: Larry Borowsky

Over 500 public comments influenced proposed design and new mapping

DENVER, CO ­— November 15, 2010 — The city of Denver’s comprehensive non-vehicular transportation plan, “Denver Moves: Making Bicycle and Pedestrian Connections in the Mile High City,” will host its final public event of 2010 tomorrow, Tuesday, November 16th from 11:00am – 2:00pm and 5:00pm – 7:00pm in the main atrium of the Wellington Webb Municipal Building. The Wellington Webb Municipal Building is located at 201 W. Colfax Avenue.  

The event will feature proposed designs that will improve bicycle and pedestrian connections citywide, and new mapping based on input collected at five summer outreach sessions and an interactive project website. The proposed designs and new mapping also incorporate comments from the Citizens Task Force, which gathered public input from the districts they represent.

The public is encouraged to attend the event and learn more about the future of bicycling and walking in the Mile High City. If you are interested but cannot attend, please visit the project website, www.denvermoves.org, to review the draft materials between November 16th and December 15th, 2010. 

 Denver’s commitment to being one of the most walkable and bikeable cities in the nation led to its recent award for the Best Trail System in the United States from the National Recreation and Parks Association. Hundreds of thousands of walkers, runners, in-line skaters and bicyclists use this robust pedestrian and bicycle network every year for recreation and transportation.

 Denver Moves intends to build on this success through creation of a stronger, more integrated system in the Mile High City. This innovative project incorporates recommendations from the Bicycle Master Plan Update, the Denver Parks + Recreation Game Plan and the Pedestrian Master Plan. Denver Moves focuses on integrating the off-street and on-street networks identified in these past planning efforts to create safe, comfortable corridors linking neighborhoods, parks, employment centers, business districts, transit hubs and other destinations in all parts of the city.

Denver Moves is a collaborative effort between Denver Parks + Recreation and Denver Public Works with support from Denver Environmental Health.

Here is a from Mayor Hickenlooper who was elected Governor of Colorado last night.  It is a letter to Denver city employees outlining next steps for his transition.

Dear City Employees:

It is with great joy and deep appreciation that I write to you today.

 My election as Governor is a tribute to – and recognition of – the hard work, innovation and results that all City agencies and Employees have delivered over the past seven years. I have talked with great pride in towns and cities throughout Colorado about your accomplishments and how you serve our residents every day.

 It is an honor to work with you. You make Denver the great city it is.

Many of you have already asked what happens now. As excited as I am for my new role, we want to honor to the best of my abilities our commitment to you and all Denver residents by staying on as Mayor until the Inauguration at the Capitol on Jan. 11. Over the next 10 weeks we will work to ensure a smooth transition for the City even as we are building a new team at the State with the help of Gov. Bill Ritter and his team.

 On the day I leave my office at City Hall – in fact, at the moment I resign – our Deputy Mayor, Bill Vidal, will become Mayor of Denver. Bill has been a great partner and friend since he joined the City as Manager of Public Works in 2003. He is more than capable of serving as your Mayor and leading our City forward.

Thank you for supporting me and my family. Thank you for supporting our community.

 Sincerely,

 Mayor John Hickenlooper

Support District 9 schools and have a good time tonight at the Paris Wine Bar (1549 Platte Street), site of the Highland United Neighbors (HUNI) Education Committee autumn fundraiser.

Last year the committee raised more than $5,000 for North High School, Bryant Webster, Academia Sandoval, Valdez, and Skinner. Tonight’s event will include an update on the projects those funds have supported.

The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m., with a suggested donation of $10.

Mile High United Way, Denver’s Road Home, and Metro State will host the Tenth Project Homeless Connect (PHC 10) event during National Homeless Awareness Month. The event will take place on the Auraria campus (with the support of Metro State, the Community College of Denver and the University of Colorado at Denver) on Friday, October 29, from 8 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; click here for registration information.

Project Homeless Connect is a one-day event that will provide individuals and families currently experiencing homelessness or at risk for becoming homeless with access to vital services such as: rapid re-housing, basic medical exams, food stamps, legal advice and much more. It’s a one-stop shop for assistance that will help struggling families pave the way for success.

Volunteers are needed to fill a variety of roles, such as:

• Client support (working one-on-one with individuals/families)
• Registration and information
• Clothing and food distribution
• Volunteer check-in, welcome and hospitality

The 9 previous PHC events have helped more than 6,300 homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless. Without dedicated volunteers, this would not be possible.

If you have any questions, please contact desta.taye-channell@unitedwaydenver.org or (303) 561-2332.

Two charitable programs you should know about:

As part of its annual Fright Fest, Elitch Gardens and PARC Foundation (the philanthropic arm of Elitch Gardens) are collecting children’s Halloween costumes, which will be donated to the Denver Children’s Home. Guests who bring in a new or gently used children’s Halloween costume to Elitch Gardens from now through October 24 will receive a discounted $24.99 Fright Fest admission. This special ticket is $16 off the main gate price. Elitch Gardens’ Fright Fest kicked off last weekend and runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 31.

A week from tomorrow night (ie, October 14) the Oxford Hotel will host the Great American Jacket Exchange from 6 to 8 p.m. This special event invites local professionals to enjoy an evening of style and fun, with the proceeds benefiting Warren Village. Along with the $25 ticket, guests are asked to donate two new or gently used coats or purses to stock the shopping experience. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.warrenvillage.org.

It’s counting day today in DPS — ie the official enrollment numbers (which are used to determine funding levels) will be established. DPS’s own preliminary count shows big leap in enrollment for the second consecutive year — a jump of roughly 2,200 students. It’s the second-highest year-over-year increase on record, trailing only the 3,000-student increase that was registered in 2009.

Taking the last two years together, DPS enrollment has increased from about 74,000 students to 79,500, an increase of nearly 7 percent in just two years. Enrollment gains have been particularly strong at the middle-school level, where DPS estimates a jump to 15,440 students this year. That would put the district’s two-year enrollment gain in middle grades at about 1,100 students.

DPS superintendent Tom Boasberg cites Northwest Denver as an example of successful reform. In the 2009-2010 academic year, sixth-grade enrollment at Lake Middle School was 190 students. DPS implemented three new options at Lake—the new Lake International Baccalaureate program and the two campuses of the West Denver Prep network—and enrollment jumped to 370 students, a 95% increase.

In a more general sense, according to Superintendent Boasberg, the encouraging enrollment numbers are proof positive that DPS reforms implemented over the last several years are working: Academic performance is improving, test scores are up, graduation rates are on the rise, and therefore families are choosing Denver Public Schools in increasing numbers.

Climbing counts are a vote of confidence in DPS, and the additional enrollment means a dollar-for-dollar increase in the amount of funding available, meaning that class sizes stay more manageable and enrichment programs are able to survive.

You still have two weeks to enter a group for the Veterans Day Parade, to be held on November 6. Groups that want to sign up to march in the parade can review rules and complete an application online at www.denvergov.org/veterans. The last day to submit an application to march in the parade is October 15. All groups requesting to march must receive written approval from the Parade Chairman prior to marching.

Runners and walkers who want to participate in the Denver Veterans Day 5K Race can sign up by visiting www.DVD5K.com. The last day to pre-register for the race (with a complimentary t-shirt and all-day parking pass) is Friday, October 29. The race benefits the Metro State Army ROTC Running Club and the Rippetoe Foundation honoring Army Ranger CPT Rippetoe, who was killed in action in Iraq .

The Veterans Day Parade is coordinated by the Denver United Veterans Council and Denver County Veteran Services Office. The Veterans Day 5K Race is hosted by the Metro State Army ROTC.

Denver Public Works and the Downtown Denver Partnership have announced a pilot program dedicated to helping drivers find parking in Downtown Denver. The program, Park NOW, will initially focus on the downtown area, with participating lots and garages branded with the Park NOW blue “P” logo.

The pilot program will evaluate if the blue “P” logo is indeed helpful to drivers as anticipated. If the pilot is successful, Park NOW will expand to other parts of Denver in the future. This first-of-its-kind program in Denver fosters relationships with several local parking management companies to ensure a dependable and consistent parking experience.

A short survey has been created on the Park NOW website at www.ParkSmartDenver.com; simply click on the link that says “Tell Us What You Think” under the Park NOW section of the front page. The website is a great source of more information on the program, including a link to the Downtown Denver Partnership’s interactive parking map, www.experiencedowntowndenver.com, with all Park NOW locations clearly marked.

The new Park NOW symbol will be posted along main thoroughfares, on parking garages and lots throughout Downtown Denver. Current locations participating in the Park NOW program:

Surface Lots
• 1530 Cleveland Place (Harris Lot)
• 1535 Welton (Bank of Denver )
• 16th & Wazee (Merchantile Lot)
• 14th And Blake Lot
• 14th And Market (Firehouse Lot )
• 500 16th St ( Denver Pavilions Welton Lot)
• 500 16th St ( Denver Pavilions Tremont Lot)

Garages
• 1615 18th St (LoDo Garage)
• 1422 Market St ( Larimer Square Garage)
• 1200 17th St ( Tabor Center Garage)
• 1050 17th St ( Independence Plaza )
• 400 15th St (Tremont Garage)
• 1899 Wynkoop Garage
• 14th & Arapahoe (DPAC Theatre Garage)
• 12th & Broadway (Cultural Center Garage)
• 500 16th St ( Denver Pavilions Garage)

The La Alma Pool/Bathhouse Project Selection Panel has extended the deadline for entries. The panel is seeking a Colorado artist or team of Colorado artists for a site-specific public art commission.

Several locations were identified by the panel as sites for integrated or non-integrated artwork. They include the pool area fence; 11th & Osage; the main pool entrance; and the northwest pool area.

The budget is approximately $21,000. More information can be found at this link or at www.denvergov.org/publicart.

Two good events for good causes are taking place in the Highland neighborhood this weekend. On Friday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., the Academia Maria de Sandoval (37th and Wyandot) will host its 1st Annual Youth Farmer’s Market (managed by the students with a few adult helpers) and cooking demo. All proceeds from the market will benefit the school. If you have any produce from your gardens or trees that you would like to donate to the market, please contact sandovalcomposting@gmail.com.

The following night (Saturday), the 6th Annual Lazos Fundraiser takes place at 3606 Decatur from 5 to 10 p.m.  This fun evening of live music and great food supports Lazos, Inc., a local nonprofit that supports education and development in Latin America. The suggested donation at the door is $20 for adults (14 and up) and $1 for every year your child has lived if under 14.

Musical performers will include The West (www.thewestband.com) and
Mono Verde, Colorado’s Latin reggae band with members from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Colombia, El Salvador and the US (www.myspace.com/monoverderoots). The Denver Chophouse and Brewery is providing the beers, and a Sri Lankan dinner feast will be provided by Asanga Abeywickrema. There will be a bouncy castle for the kids, as always.

For more information contact Greg Zerwas at gregzerwas@hotmail.com.