Category: Neighborhood Update

Over the past several years, the City has been growing tremendously with development projects in many areas. This exponential increase in residential, office, and retail development can especially be seen in the Cherry Creek North (CCN) area with over 20 projects completed or underway. This growth and excessive development within a relatively small area comes with imposing impacts on existing retail and neighborhoods, especially if not controlled and managed properly.
In the past year, with 10 projects underway, the following major problems in the Cherry Creek North community could have a direct effect on the Country Club Historic neighborhood as construction continues on the west side of the Business Improvement District or BID:
(1) Construction workers parking in metered spaces that are needed for retail customers and parking throughout the neighborhoods in restricted areas;
(2) Trucks carrying construction material traveling through and parking in the neighborhoods;
(3) Partial and full street closures to allow the expansion of constuction sites; and
(4) The City allowing construction to occur without considering impacts to retailers and residents, the lack of enforcement which is needed to mitigate problems and the concern for pedestrian safety.
Over the past year, I have worked with Public Works on the following improvements:
(a) The Cherry Creek Shopping Center has provided 250 parking spaces at minimal cost for construction workers;
(b) Parking Enforcement has been urged to recruit additional enforcement staff to ticket violators such as construction workers using resident and retail parking;
(c) Right of Way has been constantly encouraged to monitor the inappropriate use of bagged meters; and
(d) My staff and I have constantly communicated with Public Works and developers to supervise construction workers and minimize impacts on the community.
Even though efforts have been made to mitigate problems, Public Works and construction support has been insufficient. In order to address the problems, the CCN Business Improvement District, CCH and CCN neighborhood leaders and I have proposed the following key improvements to be implemented as Public Works regulations or as a City Council Ordinance.
1. Excessive Construction and City Enforcment Staffing – When excessive construction projects occur in a given area, Public Works Right of Way and Parking Enforcement staffing must be increased to manage construction impacts more effectively.
2. Proper Notification on Meter Bagging, Street Closures, and Construction Schedules – Since Public Works Permitting, Right of Way, and Parking divisions have not communicated effectively with each other and with businesses and residents, bi-weekly construction meetings are proposed. This will ensure all parties are aware of pending construction project impacts on the community and provide the opportunity to address those impacts before they occur.
3. Partial and Full Street Closures – Partial and full street closures to expand construction sites should not be allowed. Closures should only be allowed for legitimate activities that will have safety concerns to the public.
4. Pedestrian Sidewalks – Closed sidewalks must be replaced by covered, waterproofed, and lighted walkways.
5. Damage to Streetscape and Streets – Construction projects should be responsible for repairing streetscapes and streets to their original condition and appearance. These repair costs should not be paid by taxpayers as is the present Public Works practice. If repairs are required, the cost should be considered a cost of construction.
6. Parking Plans – Parking plans for construction trucks and workers must be developed, evaluated, and approved prior to receiving building permits. If offsite parking is necessary, developers must facilitate and insist on worker conpliance.
7. Parking at Alley and Intersection Entrances – Entrances at alleys and intersections should be properly marked to provide safe vehicle sightlines for customers and residents, and regulations must be diligently enforced to ensure compliance.
8. Parking District – A parking district, which is common in many cities, should be developed to (a) manage parking operations and enforcement; (b) enhance permitting communication for construction projects; and (c) improve everyday traffic management in the business area and neighborhoods.
These improvements have been presented and discussed with Public Works. If improvements are not addressed by regulations, then a City Council ordiance will be proposed to implement the improvements on a citywide basis. This is not only a District 10 problem but one that is citywide, with other areas of the city suffering with some, if not all, of these construction issues.
The new Public Works Executive Director, Eulois Cleckley, has been receptive to changes, which will be addressing our recommendations in the near future. Progress on these improvements will be communicated to you. I welcome your comments and suggestions.
The complete listing of issues and recommendations is found on our District 10 website at https://goo.gl/4FrcVu

Wayne New, City Council, District 10

It is with deep regret that we announce the recent passing of Chuck Warren, founder of CCHN.

Services/Reception:
A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday, August 8th at St. John’s Cathedral at 11 am, with a Celebration of his Life to follow at the Denver Country Club.

In Lieu of Flowers:
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Denver Zoo, Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation or The Park People.

Obituary (Charles Lyon-Campbell Warren (April 26 1926 – July 29, 2018)
Charles “Chuck” Warren passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, July 29th surrounded by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Emma Josephine “E.J.” and children Diana Warren, Robin Warren Buckalew and Charles Warren, Jr.

Chuck spent his boyhood in Fort Collins, CO where his great grandfather homesteaded in 1866. After graduating from high school in 1944, Charles served for two years in the Navy as an Electronic Technician. After his service, Chuck returned to Colorado to continue his education, earning a degree in Business Administration from University of Colorado in 1950. That same year, he married the love of his life, Emma Josephine Palmer. After graduating from CU, Charles was hired by Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, where he worked as a stockbroker for 20 years, completing his career with the firm as Vice President.

Ever the student of life and academics, Chuck went back to school in the 1970’s, earning a Master’s Degree in Mass Communication from the University of Denver in 1973. Upon the death of his father in 1978 he took over as president of the Moody Warren Company, a company incorporated by his grandfather in 1912, and actively managed the farms in Northern Colorado owned by Chuck and his sister Anne Denig.

His extraordinary early success provided him with an opportunity to retire early and focus his energy on many philanthropic endeavors. He contributed to nearly every philanthropic organization in Denver, with a particular interest in environmental and humanitarian causes, as well as arts and cultural organizations. His many accomplishments in the charitable sector included serving as Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) from 1985 to 1988, setting the stage for successful passage of SCFD, which is now a model for cities around the country! In addition, he was a founding member, and Lifetime Trustee of The Park People/Denver Digs Trees, leading one of it’s first projects to restore Denver’s Civic Center Park and its Greek Amphitheater. He was a member and frequent chair of numerous nonprofit boards, including The Denver Zoo, The Denver Foundation, Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation and Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation, just to name a few.

Chuck also loved to travel, something which he and his beloved wife E.J. shared with a myriad of friends. He was a sports and music enthusiast, both as participant and as spectator. He was very involved with the University Club’s Twelfth Night Show, as a songwriter, performer and leader of the 12th Night Show band, playing drums for 64 continuous years! In addition, he played with several other small combos that developed among fellow musicians.

More than anything, Charles L. Warren had a zest for life in all its dimensions. He worked to make the world a better place and inspired people to be involved. The comfort, care and advice he provided for his friends and family was a model of devotion. He will be dearly missed by all those whose lives he touched.

As published in the Denver Post

A meeting will be held on August 11 for residents of our neighborhood to hear information about the sidewalk repair program.

The City of Denver is implementing a new program which affects our neighborhood. Denver’s Neighborhood Sidewalk Repair Program is addressing sidewalks, citywide, that are damaged, uneven, or sloping excessively. Denver Public Works has identified 11 sidewalk regions by grouping neighborhoods into roughly comparable areas, and will begin by addressing one region at a time, using criteria based on community feedback gathered in the Denver Moves: Pedestrians & Trails plan. The Country Club Historic Neighborhood is located in Region 1 which is the first region that will be addressed.
Per city ordinance, Denver property owners are responsible for the repair and maintenance of sidewalks adjacent to their properties. To help with the repairs, the City will offer extended repayment assistance and affordability discounts for property owners who qualify. The City is also authorizing less expensive repair methods not currently allowed, such as patching and grinding.

Program Implementation
In 2018, Denver Public Works will begin formal inspections at properties in Region 1, including the neighborhoods of City Park, Congress Park, Cherry Creek, Country Club Historic Neighborhood, Cheesman Park, Speer, Capitol Hill and North Capitol Hill. Public Works will contact property owners whose sidewalks are in need of repair and provide additional information on repair requirements, estimated costs, extended repayment, and affordability programs, including extended repayment assistance and affordability discounts for those who qualify. Adjacent property owners will need to correct violations on their own or can choose to have Public Works complete the work based on a set fee schedule.

Public Informational Meeting on August 11
You’re Invited: Public Meeting Saturday, August 11, 10 a.m. — Noon
Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206

Residents and property owners are encouraged to attend. Program staff will be available to provide information about the program and answer
questions. Free entry to meeting room.

Additional Information
Additional information regarding this program can be found at HERE.

by Councilman Wayne New, District 10

On Monday, August 14th, the General Obligation (GO) bond measures were unanimously approved by the City Council for referral to the November ballot. These seven measures encompass transportation and mobility projects, city-owned cultural facility improvements, a new outpatient care center at Denver Health Medical Center, safety facility projects, Denver Public Library improvements, city-owned facility improvements and parks and recreation projects. The package of infrastructure in-vestments includes 460 projects valued at $937 million, with the largest percentage of the bond dedicated to the city’s biggest challenge: transportation and mobility.

Below are the seven GO Bond measures and a few of their key projects for District 10 and/or citywide.

Transportation and Mobility Systems
Twenty-five transportation projects valued at $431 million that include investments in pedestrian, bicycle and transit networks; multimodal roadway improvements; and street repairs and repaving.

– District 10: Colfax Bus Rapid Transit – $55 million; Colfax Street Improvements – $20 million; Broadway Corridor Multi-Modal Improvements – $12 million
– Citywide: Sidewalk Construction – $30.7 million; Deferred Maintenance for Streets – $101 million

Cultural Facilities
Six projects valued at $116.9 million to improve facilities at arts and cultural centers.
– District 10: Denver Art Museum Expansion – $35.5 million; Denver Botanic Gardens – $18 million
– Citywide: Denver Zoo – $20 million; DCPA Bonfils Theatre Complex Upgrades – $19 million

Denver Health & Hospital Authority
The addition of a new outpatient care center.
– Citywide: Denver Health Medical Center Ambulatory Care Center – $75 million

Public Safety System
Six projects valued at $77 million, including building one new fire station and repairing run-down police and fire stations citywide.

District 10: District 6 Police Station Replacement – $25 million
Citywide: District 5 Police Station Replacement – $17.3 million; New Fire Station at 72nd & Tower Road – $16.1 million

Library System
11 library system renovations valued at $69.3 million.
District 10: Central Library – $38 million
Citywide: Ross-Broadway Library – $2.3 million; Eugene Field Library – $2.1 million

Parks and Recreation System
18 parks projects valued at $151.6 million, including repairs and improvements at existing recreation centers and parks and the construction of a new recreation center to serve West Denver.
District 10: Congress Park Pool Reconstruction – $8.3 million; Civic Center Greek Theatre
Improvements – $4 million
Citywide: Neighborhood Park Improvements – $15 million; Recreation Center Improvements and Renovations – $8 million

Public Facilities System
Two projects valued at $16.5 million.
Citywide: ADA Projects/Corrections – $10 million

The city began the GO Bond process in 2016 by engaging the Denver community in a conversation about the enhancements they want in their neighborhoods and throughout the city. With six public meetings, a map-based online tool, City Council engagement and comment cards located at libraries and recreation centers, the city received more than 3,000 investment ideas.

Please review these infrastructure improvements for the city. For more information about the bond process or to view the final project list, please visit www.denvergov.org/2017GObond

Street sweeping begins in April, so please mark you calendar to avoid the costly tickets that will be handed out if you fail to move your car. Our neighborhood street sweeping occurs the first week of every month, with the specific day dependent upon the side of the street your home is on. You can also visit https://www.denvergov.org/pocketgov/#/ to sign up for email and text alerts.

• CCHN Annual Dues can now be paid online at countryclubhistoric.org or by downloading a membership form from the website and mailing a check to:
CCHN
191 University Blvd. #514
Denver, CO 80206

Our dues are completely voluntary, and at $195 per year are also the lowest among Denver and surrounding area neighborhoods. Please consider making an extra donation to our beautification committee so we can keep our neighborhood colorful!

Street paving to begin later this year Many of our streets are in desperate need of repair, and the city has acknowledged this need. A firm date has not been set, but the work is expected to be completed this year. More information will be provided in the coming months.

• Security in our neighborhood One area that is funded by your neighborhood dues is security. Provided by HSS, security vehicles patrol our neighborhood 4 times a day most of the year, and 6 times during the summer months. Their primary role is to act as a deterrent to theft and other criminal activity. But if you’ve ever left your garage door open, you’ve probably received a call from the on-duty patrolman letting you know. If you are concerned about suspicious or potentially criminal activity in our neighborhood, please call 911.