Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Dear Neighbor,I’m excited to say that this year we wereable to celebrate numerous communityvictories. Along with the rest of Council,we balanced the budget while approvingan additional police class. These 40 newadditional police officers, whichCouncilwoman Faatz and I pushed for,will help improve police response timesand service. We continued our efforts tomodernize trash collection and curbillegal dumping by replacing outdatedcity dumpsters with automated trashbarrels and recyclers. The communitycame together to block yet another liquorstore from opening its doors in our
neighborhood. Further proof, that resi-dents of District 3 are asking forimproved services and development. Bythis time next year, we will have added52 acres of new parkland, redesignedfour parks, added a new Denver Healthclinic, and opened the Rodolfo “Corky”Gonzales Branch Library. We are alsofocusing on the redevelopment of twoaging mobile home parks and two vacantlots into affordable, beautiful, and safeplaces for folks to call home.
Through the council redistricting processthat happened in 2012, district bound-aries will change after next year’smunicipal election. I am sad to loseAthmar Park, Valverde and Godsman,which move completely into CouncilDistrict 7. I am proud to welcome backthe neighborhoods of West Colfax, SunValley, and La Alma/Lincoln Park –which was recently named as one ofthe best neighborhoods in America tolive in – to the legendary Council District3!
As a lifelong Denver resident, I am proudto see these much needed improvementshappening in the Westside. It has comewith a lot of community effort, but thereare still many challenges we must over-come. I am confident that we will workthrough them, because there is nothing
An update from the Office of Councilman Paul D. López
¡Viva District 3!
INSIDE THIS ISSUECuatro Vientos/Four Winds . . . . . . . 2
Increasing Parkland . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Cultural District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
New Denver Health Clinic. . . . . . . . 3
Affordable Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Childhood Education Center . . . . . . 4
Sheriff’s reform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Non-Profit Development . . . . . . . . . 5
Old Thriftway…GONE! . . . . . . . . . . 5
Building our Infrastructure . . . . . . . 6
Biking map and symbols . . . . . . . . 6
Dumpster Conversion. . . . . . . . . . . 7
Neighborhood Meetings . . . . . . . . . 7
Important Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
SERVING WESTSIDE NEIGHBORHOODS
ATHMAR PARK • BARNUM • BARNUM WEST • MAR LEEWESTWOOD • VILLA PARK • VALVERDE • RUBY HILL
greater than the spirit of our community.I am simply proud and honored to beyour councilman, working on your behalfto improve the lives of the people in ourgreat City.
In Solidarity,
Hon. Paul D. López, CouncilmanDenver City & County District 3
2 – ¡Viva District 3! – www.denvergov.org/councildistrict3
On the first Saturday of September, close to500 residents came together to celebratethe grand opening of the first new park inDistrict 3 in over 30 years, CuatroVientos/Four Winds Park. It was amazing tosee the pride and ownership that our com-munity took in their new park. With threemajor projects on the docket for next year onthe north side of the district, Westside park-land will soon catch up to the rest of Denver.
When plans to create a regional playgroundat City Park were scrapped last year,Councilman López and Councilwoman SusanShepherd approached Denver Parks andRecreation about relocating Reimagine Playin West Denver. The neighborhoods haveenthusiastically welcomed the transforma-tion of Paco Sanchez Park into a regionalpark with amenities that include – innovativeplaygrounds, a plaza and cultural amphi-theatre – just to name a few.
Just west of Paco Sanchez, at 10th andPerry, sits an aging playground currentlylocated in a flood plain that does not getmuch use. Although not to the scale ofReimagine Play, once the playground isrebuilt it may serve a much greater purpose.
The effort to renovate the playground is guid-ed by our community’s spirit to protecthealthy childhood. We are proposing that theplayground celebrate the young life ofNeveah Gallegos, who fell victim to childabuse, and bring awareness to the problem.
Over the past three months, CouncilmanLópez convened Villa Park residents and
Reimagining, Redesigning and Recovering parkland
students at Eagleton Elementary School toguide the Parks and Recreation designprocess, with the final theme selected inearly November.
Finally, after years of requests and patientwaiting by Villa Park residents, Lakewood DryGulch will officially be designated parkland!The 52-acre park designation will be thelargest park expansion ever in WestDenver. This designation means that thegulch will be regularly maintained and mustremain parkland, and can only be undesig-nated by a vote of the people.
Our work to improve access to active parkspace will continue to move forward in thecoming years throughout District 3.Potential layout of Reimagine Play at Paco Sanchez Park.
www.denvergov.org/councildistrict3 – ¡Viva District 3! – 3
Rendering of Denver Health’s new southwest clinic located at 1339 S. Federal.
After years of sitting empty, the blighted eye-sore commonly referred to as the “OldGrocery Warehouse,” was finally demolishedin November to make way for a new DenverHealth Clinic. Located on the corner of WestLouisiana Avenue and South FederalBoulevard, the new clinic will offer muchneeded medical services to SouthwestDenver. The $37 million facility’s services willrange from primary care services for adultsand children, women’s health care and adental clinic. It will also expand its serviceoptions to include behavioral health, extend-ed urgent care hours, and on-site laboratory,radiology and pharmacy.
Expected to open in early 2016, the new clin-ic is projected to serve 24,000 patients inthe zip code which currently has the highestnumber of Denver Health patients and visi-tors in the metro area.
It will also create 144 new medical andclerical jobs. In an effort to better serve thesurrounding community, Denver Health iscommitted to offering services in a variety oflanguages.
Denver Health expands Health Care optionsin Southwest Denver
There’s an immense need for quality healthcare services in this part of town. A personshouldn’t have to wait 6 months or spend allday traveling across town to see a doctor.
– Councilman Paul López
“
”
The Little Saigon Business District is bornOver the past two years, theVietnamese American Community ofColorado along with the DenverAsian Pacific American Commissionand the Office of Councilman PaulLópez have worked to officially des-ignate South Federal Boulevardbetween West Alameda Avenue andWest Mississippi Avenue as Denver’s“Little Saigon Business District.”
Although the ethnically diverse areahas existed for decades, the officialdesignation recognizes and cele-brates the cultural and economiccontributions of the Asian communi-ty in the area.
The unveiling of the official sign tookplace in early February 2014, incoordination with the “Tet” LunarNew Year celebration. The next stepis for businesses to work towardscreating a business improvementdistrict (BID) that would use theirown additional tax revenue toimprove the area by adding culturalenhancements, streetscape, light-ing, and regular maintenance.
“This will helpimprove the lookand feel of localbusinesses, whilecelebrating SouthFederal’s thrivingAsian cultural district and people.
– CouncilmanPaul López”
In conjunction with the ongoing improvements, the DenverUrban Renewal Authority (DURA) completed renovations to theAsia Center and is preparing to invest over $2 million dollarsacross Federal to repave parking lots, widen sidewalks toinclude large trees for shade, add pedestrian lighting, mod-ernize the exterior of the buildings, and pave the existing dirtalley for better business access.
This project will help anchor thesouth end of “Little Saigon” as thebest place to enjoy Vietnamese cul-ture and cuisine, shopping, andspending the day exploring one ofDenver’s best-kept secrets.
4 – ¡Viva District 3! – www.denvergov.org/councildistrict3
Throughout the city, residents are feeling theincrease in housing costs. Many families wholost their homes during the recession haveyet to find stable and affordable housing tobuy or rent. On top of that, many developersand investors have not looked at WestDenver to create housing and economicopportunities.In order to address this growing problem,Councilman López has been working with theDenver Office of Economic Development, for-profit and non-profit developers, pullingtogether a variety of private and public fund-ing sources. These efforts have lead toapproximately 225 new units of affordable
housing with nearly 330 new units that willsoon be developed throughout the district.
Although each project is unique, they are alladding something extra to the neighborhood.In addition to the creation of new units, theproposed developments are replacing longvacant lots and aging housing units that arefalling below an acceptable and safe stan-dard of living.
The Belmont and Shady Nook mobile homeparks along Morrison Road will transforminto modern apartments with full relocationbenefits for current residents – including thepossibility of returning once the project is
Initial rendering of Terraza del Sol along S.Grove St., which will house Mi Casa ResourceCenter.
Del Norte’s Avondale Apartments received1,500 applications for their 80 affordable unitsbefore opening in the summer 2014.
Westwood Crossing will include 5,000 squarefeet of retail space along W. Alameda Ave.
López works with City and partnersto bring affordability back to Denver
completed. Along Alameda, two mixed-usehousing/retail developments will replacevacant and blighted land; creating muchneeded units, community space, jobs, work-force development, as well as public art andpedestrian improvements.
District 3 is becoming the model for whatquality affordable housing should look like inDenver.
By giving residents options that best suitthem, these neighborhoods will continue tobe affordable for longtime residents to stay,while welcoming new residents withWestside hospitality.
Volunteers of America’snew Early ChildhoodEducation Center at5000 W. Alameda AvenueWhen the VOA Early Childhood Education Center opens,it will serve over 140 children.
Although the vast majority of deputies whowear the Sheriff’s badge serve our city withintegrity and discipline, the dishearteningbehavior of a few has brought with it a lot ofrecent controversy and much needed atten-tion to the Denver Sheriff’s Department.Mayor Hancock has made it a priority to do atop-down, comprehensive review of thedepartment and its practices through anexecutive task force. As Chairman of the
Reforming the Denver Sheriff DepartmentSafety and Well-Being Committee, Council-man López, with the backing of the rest ofCouncil, persisted on joining the taskforce.As a member, he is helping to reform thedepartment by making it more accountable,transparent, and safe for both inmates anddeputies.
Forums were held throughout the city toobtain broader community input, and an out-side consultant has been hired to conduct a
thorough evaluation concluding in policy rec-ommendations for the department.
Councilman López looks forward to imple-menting new reforms and policies thatrestore safety and confidence amongdeputies and the broader community.
To stay informed, read preliminary reports, orgive your input for reform, visit www.denver-gov.org/DSDreform.
www.denvergov.org/councildistrict3 – ¡Viva District 3! – 5
Here’s what ULC acquired.
The Office of Economic Development (OED),through the urging of Mayor MichaelHancock and Councilman López, includedWestwood in their economic developmentwork plan, Jumpstart 2014. OED’s multi-million dollar investments extended beyondprivate developers, and brought non-profitsto the forefront of development. Non-profitshave always been important in revitalizingcommunities, turning run down or vacantbuildings and parcels into functional useswhile meeting vital community needs.
For the past six years, Re:Vision has workedin Westwood to combat its status as a “fooddesert,” meaning that residents lack healthyfood options, and in many cases leave theneighborhood to buy groceries. They have
created a community food system that con-sists of over 300 backyard gardens. Takingthe next step towards sustainability andgrowing income opportunities for gardeners,Re: Vision received a $1.3 million loan fromOED to acquire and clean up the property at3738 Morrison Road. They recentlylaunched a capital campaign to raise theremaining $4.9 million to create a resident-owned grocery store, year-round green house,and community gathering space on the site.
In addition, Servicios de la Raza has movedto 3131 West 14th Avenue, where they willcontinue to do the work they have done forthe past 42 years. Providing and advocatingfor culturally inclusive human servicesopportunities while serving as a primary
Non-profit Organizations continueto Transform Neighborhoods
referral channel for agencies throughout themetro area.
Finally, Mi Casa Resource Center, currentlylocated at 360 Acoma Street, will be movingto our district to better serve those who mostneed and use their services. In 2016, theirentire organization, including their nationallyrecognized job training programs, will behoused in a mixed-use development at thecorner of West Alameda Avenue and SouthGrove Street. Their job training includescareers in banking, healthcare, customerservice, construction, and entrepreneurialism– for those looking to start or expand theirbusiness. We look forward to these projectsand continued contributions of all non-profitpartners in District 3.
Here’s what they decidedto do with it.
And here is what they will be workingwith to develop something great
in this community!
In case you have not driven down Morrison Road in Westwood for a while, take a look at what Urban Land Conservancy (ULC) has been doingwith the Old Thriftway property at 4401 Morrison Road.
This building has long been a symbol of the blight and neglect of this neighborhood,” says DenverCity Councilman Paul López. “Through the work of our office, OED, ULC and residents, it willsoon be the symbol of positive changes and redevelopment in Westwood.
– as quoted in Confluence Denver
“”
6 – ¡Viva District 3! – www.denvergov.org/councildistrict3
West Denver residents will now have moreoptions to walk, bike and ride public trans-portation safely around Denver. With lastyear’s opening of RTD’s W-line light rail, res-idents are connected to two large work hubs,the Federal Center and downtown. Studentswill have access to universities and collegesthroughout the metro area without the needfor a car. Starting in 2016, West Denver willconnect to the world via the newly renovatedDenver Union Station rail line to DenverInternational Airport.
In addition to these public transit improve-ments, the U.S. 6 Bridges replacement proj-ect combined with the Federal Boulevardexpansion will improve pedestrian safety inSun Valley, Villa Park, and Barnum.
In Westwood, Denver’s first bike boulevard,which is a stretch of road dedicated to safebicycle mobility, will connect the neighbor-hood to the light rail through bike lanes alongKnox Court. Newly added bike lanes on West1st Avenue connect cyclists to the soon to beimproved bike paths on Weir Gulch.
Finally, a new traffic light is in the works for2015 at Morrison Road and South PerryStreet to help slow down speeding traffic andprotect pedestrians as they cross.
With more people traveling by bike and foot,it is a good reminder to continue followingtraffic laws and norms while being more con-scious of our neighbors, who we share theroad with.
Walking and Biking Getting Safer to do on the Westside
Designated Bike Lanesare visible on the road withstriping, pavement mark-ings and possibly signage.Bike lanes are meant togive preferential or exclu-sive use for cyclist. Theyshould not be used to driveon, pass other vehicles, orpark on.
“Sharrow” is short forshared lane arrow visiblewith pavement markings.They are to remind driversand cyclist to share theroad and wayfinding forbike routes. Cyclist shouldride on the outside ofparked vehicles, ridingsafely and legally. Vehiclesshould be cautious andgive plenty of room forcyclist.
Signed Bicycle Routeare routes that have beenidentified as preferable forbike travel due to continu-ing bike amenities, directingcyclist to low vehicle trafficroads or particular destina-tions.
Wayfinding signs describethe distance, direction, anddestination to a place whenriding a bike or walking.
Map of bicycle amenities throughout District 3.
www.denvergov.org/councildistrict3 – ¡Viva District 3! – 7
Trash Collection moving into the 21st CenturyYears of requests by Councilman López anddecades of frustration from residentsthroughout the city were finally heard whenCity Council approved funding to implementthe Solid Waste Master Plan (SWMP), whichcalls for removal of all dumpsters in the city.
Due to the high volume of illegal dumping,graffiti, and dumpster fires experienced inDistrict 3, Councilman López has long been astrong advocate of removing dumpsters fromour alleys. Modernizing trash collection inDenver will replace dumpsters and manualpick-up with city issued automated barrelshelping alleviate many of these problems. Itwill also provide an opportunity to repurposethe use of the alley for potential public spaces.
Over 5,000 homes in Westwood, Barnum andBarnum West were some of the first in thecity to be converted. Solid Waste will contin-ue to study the area, monitoring for decreas-es in illegal dumping and other commonlyreported safety issues.
This is just the start of the SWMP andCouncilman López will continue to advocatefor further implementation, which includesexpanding composting into District 3.Households are encouraged to sign up forrecycling through 3-1-1 to offset their previ-ous dumpster usage and help keep the land-fills clean of recyclable items. Alleys in District 3 before and after the conversion.
Denver Police DepartmentDistrict 1 Commander’s MeetingMeets 3rd Monday of the month, 6 p.m.1311 W. 46th AveContact: 720-913-0400 for front desk
Denver Police DepartmentDistrict 4 Commander’s MeetingMeets 2nd Wednesday of the monthAlternates between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.2100 S. Clay St.Contact: 720-913-0200 for front deskSign-up for alerts at [email protected]
Athmar Park Neighborhood AssociationMeets 4th Tuesday of the month, 6:30 p.m.Valverde Community Church, 430 S. TejonContact: Ian Harwick, 303-506-4386
BuCu West Development CenterQuarterly community forum, for scheduleContact: Jose Esparza, 303-936-4302
Concerned Citizens for BarnumMeets 2nd Tuesday of the month, 6 p.m.Barnum Recreation Center,360 Hooker St.Contact: Kaye Boeke, [email protected]
Barnumdenver.nextdoor.com
Greater Mar Lee Community OrganizationMeets 2nd Tuesday of the month, 6:30 p.m.Brentwood Methodist Church,Irving & JewellContact: Steve Hildmann, 303-589-5880
SWIC – South West Improvement CouncilMeets 2nd Thursday of the month, 5:00 p.m.1000 S. Lowell Blvd.Contact: Jan Marie Belle, 303-934-2268
Villa Park Neighborhood AssociationMeets 4th Wednesday of the month,6:30 p.m.Eagleton Elementary School, 880 Hooker St.Contact: JoAnn Phillips, 303-825-5756
Westwood Residents AssociationMeets 3rd Wednesday of the month, 6 p.m.Redeemer Lutheran Church Gym,3300 W. NevadaContact: Michelle Schoen, 720-334-3280
Westwood UnidosQuarterly Community Meetings,1st Quarter meeting: January 15th, 6 p.m.and January 16th, 9 a.m.Paloma Villa, 4200 Morrison Rd. Unit 5Contact: MariCruz Herrera, 720-249-6082
Norma Brambila, 720-435-5691
N E I G H B O R H O O D M E E T I N G S
BEFOREii
AFTER
Useful Phone Numbers and NIS InformationAbandoned Vehicles . . . . . . . . 720-865-0471
Ask A Nurse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-283-3221
Attorney General’s Office . . . . 720-508-6000
CO Aids Project . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-837-1501
CommunityMediation Concepts . . . . . . . . 303-651-6534
Denver AdultProtective Services . . . . . . . . . 720-944-2994
Denver Area Youth Services . . 303-698-2300
Denver Asian PacificAmerican Commission . . . . . . 720-913-8471
Denver Cares . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-436-3500
Denver Centerfor Crime Victims . . . . . . . . . . 303-894-8000
Denver Commissionon Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 720-913-8477
Denver District Attorney . . . . . 720-913-9000
Denver HealthMedical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-436-6000
Denver Indian Center . . . . . . . 303-936-2688
Denver Office ofColorado Legal Services . . . . . 303-837-1313
Denver Safe House . . . . . . . . . 303-830-2660
District 1 Police Office . . . . . . 720-913-0400
District 4 Police Office . . . . . . 720-913-0200
Food bank of the Rockies . . . . 303-371-9250
Foreclosure Hotline . . . . . . . 1-877-601-HOPE
Graffiti Hotline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Landlord/Tenant Disputes . . . . 303-329-3300
Medicare Info . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-633-4227
Mile High United Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Police Non-emergencies . . . . . 720-913-2000
RTD Access-A-Ride . . . . . . . . 303-299-2960
RTD Route/Schedule . . . . . . . 303-299-6000
Sam Sandos WestsideFamily Health Center . . . . . . . 303-436-4200
Servicios de la Raza . . . . . . . . 303-458-5851
Social Security and SSI Info. 1-800-772-1213
SouthwestImprovement Council . . . . . . . 303-934-2181
Para informaciónen español
llame al (720) 337-3333
District Office4200 Morrison Road, Unit 7Denver, CO 80219
Phone: 720-337-3333Fax: 720-337-3337Email: [email protected]
Aides:Adriana Magaña [email protected]ús Orrantia [email protected]
Vital Records(Birth/Death Certificate) . . . . . 303-692-2000Volunteers of AmericaMeals on Wheels . . . . . . . . . . 303-294-0111Westwood FamilyHealth Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-602-4660Xcel Emergency Repair . . . . 1-800-895-1999Emergency Gas Problems . . 1-800-895-2999
Call 311 for CITY SERVICES including: pot-holes, missed trash collection, recycling, lostand found animals, permitting, zoning, licens-es, assessments, official city documents, cityand county reports, court dates, claim processand case status.
Neighborhood InspectionServices (NIS)For complaints call 311.
For NIS problems, it is important to call311. NIS conducts evening and weekendinspection upon request. Please specify,if needed, in your request.
CouncilmanPaul D. Lopez on Facebook
Follow us on Twi!er@cmpaullopez
Visit
www.denvergov.org/district3
