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Urban Dweller

VOLUME 39, EDITION 1

1/31/2021

 

Message From the President

Greetings Friends and Supporters, 

I hope this message finds you well. Urban Dweller, Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods' (CHUN) monthly e-newsletter, is available online. Here is the latest from Denver’s largest, oldest registered neighborhood organization and your community advocate.

Last week, CHUN hosted its 2021 Annual Meeting. The meeting was something of a record breaker, with more than 175 participants and new levels of neighborhood engagement. Annual meetings are a report to benefactors, members, and the community including a look back on the previous year, and these meetings occasionally feature speakers engaged in the most pressing city issues. They are also an opportunity to celebrate great news and recognize extraordinary acts. 

Mayor Michael B. Hancock shared a few updates ranging from Denver's response to combat the COVID-19 and how the city engages groups (like CHUN) to encourage economic development in the midst of a pandemic. We appreciate the Mayor taking time to connect with our members; CHUN is scheduling a dedicated town hall with the Mayor and his team in the coming months.

We also received an update from both Denver International Airport and Denver Health. Dr. Connie Savor Price reviewed Denver Health's history as a community-based health care provider and their robust responses to community needs. Cristal DeHerrera provided an update about Denver International Airport including new vendors at DEN as well as forthcoming expansions and infrastructure that will boost airport operations. We are committed to working with city leadership, including Mayor Hancock, Dr. Price, and Ms. DeHerrera, to develop policy solutions and shape the future of our city.

The DIA presentation can be accessed HERE; Denver Health's presentation can be accessed HERE. 

​CHUN is committed enhancing our operations and building a diverse, inclusive culture. We continued to improve our governance, internal operations, and board retention in 2020. The CHUN board has expanded our outreach into the community, and we recruited six new board members to fill existing vacancies. Last month we welcomed Rajat Agarwal, Amanda Pennington, Kathy Callender, Nicholas DiPasquale, Joshua Emerson, and Noemi Ramos. With these great additions, our board composition now includes affordable housing champions, historic preservationists, communications and IT professionals, grassroots organizers, a member of the Navajo Nation and veteran, and small business owners. 

Sound financial management continues. CHUN's leadership had to think strategically about its operations, and we had to keep costs at a minimum. In 2020, our income was $115,209, and we had $72,717 in expenses. That's a net of more than $27,000. Our current cash on hand has now surpassed $180,000, an increase of 17% in just one year. Private charitable grants, membership, and income from the Tears-McFarlane House have bolstered our financial outlook for 2021. 

CHUN's membership program and community outreach reached a new milestone. For the first time in CHUN history, we raised more than $23,000 in membership support. We gained 78 new members in, 4000+ Facebook followers, surpassed 620 Twitter followers, have more than 1,380 e-subscribers, and increased our visibility through various media outlets and platforms. New members include Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, David Lynn Wise Architects, Zeppelin Development, and many more. To those current business, nonprofit, household, and individual members, we THANK YOU for your generosity and commitment to our work.

This supporter base means we get to do more for our community. In 2020, we invested more than $10,000 in the community through the SEED Awards and in-kind contributions to community groups. CHUN is supporting neighbors in need through the Little Free Pantry at 1290 Williams Street and we continue to offer low-cost office space and meeting infrastructure to charitable organizations. The 2021 SEED Award recipients are: Harm Reduction Action Center; SafeHouse Denver; Urban Servant Corps; Gathering Place; Our Savior’s Lutheran Church; South City Park Neighborhood Association; Swallow Hill RNO; and Senior Housing Options. All award recipients received $1,000 per program/project.

The Good Neighbor Awards are a longstanding tradition and an opportunity to recognize nonprofit organizations, individuals, and/or businesses for outstanding contributions to the greater Capitol Hill community. This year, we honored: Rev. Bonita Bock, Bill DeMaio, St. Francis Center Warren Residences, Joy Wine & Spirits; Smith and Cannon Ice Cream, REDI Corporation, & Courageous Yoga. 

February is Black History Month. I encourage all Denverites to take an active role in protecting our democracy and promote social justice and racial equality. As the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm once said, “I am and always will be a catalyst for change.” We look to you for leadership, and encourage you to be the catalyst for change in Denver. 

In good health, 
Travis 

Travis Leiker, MPA
President | Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods 



Monthly Member Profile: Zeppelin Development

For more than 40 years of development experience, Zeppelin are experts in placemaking. They collaborate regularly   with local communities and engage both the private and public sectors in shaping the future of neighborhoods. 

News & Events in Our Community

Final Design for the South Broadway Bikeway

Final designs for the South Broadway connected bikeway will be shared virtually on Wednesday, February 24th. To attend the presentation, follow the instructions at the end of this post.

Two-way protected bike lanes are to be added to enable safe bicycling between the Cherry Creek Trail and Broadway Station.

The project is intended to provide transportation and safety improvements for people walking, riding transit, and driving on South Broadway from Center to 7th Avenues. These enhancements include:
  • A raised concrete buffer and pedestrian refuge to provide a safe place for pedestrians to stop, if needed, before continuing to cross the street.
  • Intersection safety, bus stop and accessibility improvements to shorten the crossing distance for people on foot and provide better connectivity to transit.
  • New bike signals and rebuilding 13 traffic signals along this stretch with larger, more visible lights (red/yellow/green) as well as adding new pedestrian countdown signals to improve safety for people crossing the street on foot.
  • Adding green infrastructure, which will clean stormwater runoff before it flows to the river.
  • Incorporating public art and trees to enhance the pedestrian experience along the corridor.

Construction is expected to begin in late 2021.

Virtual Open House Details

The project team will present the final bikeway design for South Broadway, and you can also learn more about the construction process and next steps:

What: Virtual Open House – Broadway / Lincoln / I-25 Transportation Projects
When: Wednesday, February 24, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Where: Zoom 
(or by Phone: (888) 475-4499 / Conference ID: 848 3179 5789)

Additional Project Information:
This project is part of the voter-approved Elevate Denver Bond Program.
Sign-up for project updates and learn more at: DenverMovesBroadway.com.​
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Nearby Nature: Nature Play in City Park

​The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is seeking community design creations and survey feedback until February 15th, 2021 to help shape the design of new natural play experiences. A survey, presentation, and open house in
As part of the City Park Master Plan Update, and inspired by Coloradans' passion for nature, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and Denver Parks & Recreation are excited to support the creation of natural play experiences in City Park.

This project will restore portions of the historic DeBoer Waterway as a sustainable creek bed with water that runs the course of natural play experiences, based on Colorado’s eight ecosystems. The community’s voice is guiding project design.
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There are a variety of ways for people of all ages to provide feedback for the project:

Create a Design
The museum will be distributing kits of printed materials that contain images of natural play activities. You are welcome to share a photo of your creation for a design of the space using the materials in the kit. If you would like a kit to be mailed to you, please fill out this form no later than Feb. 5, 2021.

Give Feedback Online
A recorded presentation and an online survey are available to learn about the project and provide feedback. To respond, please review the presentation below and complete the survey. The slideshow and survey are also available in both English and Spanish on the project's website.
Attend a Live, Virtual Community Open House
City Park Alliance and City Park Friends & Neighbors are co-hosting virtual events with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and Denver Parks & Recreation to ensure that all community members have access to meetings dedicated to creating awareness and soliciting feedback for the creation of natural play experiences in City Park.
  • City Park Friends & Neighbors Nature Play Community Open House
    • ​When: Tuesday, February 2, 2021, 6-7:30 PM
    • Register by filling out this form.
  • City Park Alliance Nature Play Community Open House 
    • ​When: Wednesday, February 10, 2021, 6-7:30 PM
    • Register by filling out this form.

Civic Center Next 100 - Public Workshop #1

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What do you imagine for the next 100 years of Civic Center?

Please join Denver Parks & Recreation for the first public workshop to learn about the history and current conditions and share feedback for the future of Civic Center.

Civic Center Next 100 takes the 2005 Civic Center Master Plan and brings it to life for the Denver of today and the generations to come. Located at the heart of the city and surrounded by many of our key civic and cultural institutions, Civic Center has served as Denver’s most significant gathering spot for cultural events, festivals, and First Amendment rallies for over 100 years. It is Denver’s first National Historic Landmark and honoring its history is critical as we envision its future. The project partners are working together to create a vision for key features of Civic Center that will accommodate its traditional uses and also encourage daily active use. Learn more about the project here.
 
Civic Center Next 100: Civic Center Park + Bannock Street Concept Design | Public Workshop #1
  • When: Thursday, February 11, 2021, 5:30-7:00 PM
  • Where: Join the meeting here: https://link.livable-cities.com/civic-center-next-100
    or Join by phone:720-928-9299 (Webinar ID: 837 6005 4017)

Planning Better Ways to Travel in South Central Denver

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The City and County of Denver is planning to improve how people travel by bike, by bus, by car, and on foot in South Central Denver.

Denver Transportation & Infrastructure invites you to attend an upcoming virtual open house meeting to hear from the project team on what they have through the outreach process and changes made based on feedback collected to date. Updates regarding project schedules and next steps will also be provided.

Event: South Central Virtual Open House
  • When: Thursday, February 4, 5-6:00 PM
  • Where: Join at www.ctnvirtualopenhouse.com or call by phone at (855) 286-0297.

To learn more about the transportation networks, proposed projects, and to sign up to stay informed throughout the process, please visit the project homepage.

Construction Begins on Recuperative Care Facility and Housing

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The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless has completed financing and begins construction on the first of its kind, innovative Stout Street Recuperative Care Facility and Renaissance Legacy Lofts for people experiencing homelessness.

This mixed-use, nine story property will have 98 apartments above a respite and recuperative care facility that will meet the immediate health care needs for 400 people experiencing homelessness annually.
While the Coalition did not host a traditional groundbreaking event, they plan to keep the community informed as the project hits its milestones.

A grand opening celebration is anticipated for the latter portion of 2021 should public health order allow.

Please find details on this amazing project in the full press release.
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Also in the News

In Our Community
  • Denver designates Stahl House as historic landmark
  • Trash, needles, tents, fire: Neighbors concerned over ‘devolving’ lot in Uptown
  • New report finds Denver rent prices are decreasing in most expensive areas
Arts, Culture, and Leisure
  • Nettie Moore reflects on 96 years in Denver’s west side as her pacemaker slowly fails
  • “Northeast Denver Love & History” members are combing archives to keep the legacy of Black Denver alive
  • The Best Concerts in Denver This Week
Business
  • In Cherry Creek, a leather retailer given the boot will be replaced by another
  • Sushi Ronin Replaces 12 at Madison in Congress Park
  • Some Colorado restaurants optimistic as restrictions ease
  • Full Plate: Two Denver full-service restaurants 'hibernating' for winter
Construction & Development
  • 30-story tower proposed in Denver's Uptown
COVID-19 Updates
  • Cherry Creek School District teachers, school staff to get vaccinated
Civic Outreach, Legislation, & Politics
  • Denver Mayor Michael Hancock resurrects ‘Cabinet in the Community,’ with first meeting scheduled Tuesday
Mobility & Transportation
  • More than $30,000 in microgrants available for Denver walking and bicycling projects

Denver8TV Keeps You In The Know

Your City Now has all the week's news for you in under 5 minutes!  The City and County of Denver's 5-minute news roundup that covers local government, city news, and local and public events. New episodes every Friday.
  • Denver focuses on vaccine distribution and getting the economy back on track.
  • Applications open for program allowing businesses to operate with fewer restrictions.
  • Mayor Hancock hosts a series of COVID vaccine panels aiming to address fears and distrust of the vaccine from communities of color.
  • Convention Center care facility officially closes.
  • The Denver Art Museum calls for applications from artists for a new mural.
  • Dr. Justina Ford honored on what would have been her 150th birthday with a special event.
  • Plus, more news from in and around the City of Denver.
Tune in every week to keep up!

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A Special Thanks to Some of Our Business and Community Partner Members:

Adagio Bed and Breakfast
Alamo Placita Neighbors Association
Alternative Medicine on Capitol Hill (AMCH)
Althea Center For Engaged Spirituality
Angelo's Taverna
Argonaut Wine & Liquor
Bang Up to the Elephant!
Barbara H de Jong, CFP, Financial Advisor
Briarwood Health Care Center
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Castle Lion Development, LLC.
CCNNA
Cherry Creek Automotive
Colfax Avenue Business Improvement District
Colfax Pot Shop
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
Colorado Vincentian Volunteers
Cornerstone Apartment Services
CRL Associates
Crockett Psychological Associates, LLC
Denver Community Church
Denver Compost Collective
Denver Sweet
Ekman Design Studio
Ember Hostels
FirstBank
Florentine Condominium Association
Good Chemistry
Harm Reduction Action Center
Historic Denver, Inc
Humboldt Street Neighborhood Association
Irish Snug
​Joy Wine and Spirits
Leiker Strategies, LLC
​LivWell
Long Run Accounting
Marijuana Mansion
National Charter Bus Denver
Native Roots Cannabis Co.
Novo Coffee Bar on 6th Avenue
Pete's Kitchen / Satire
Progressive Urban Management Associates
Ritual Social House
Rosen Properties
Route 40 Cafe
SafeHouse Denver
Sarkisian Oriental Rugs & Fine Art
Senior Housing Options
Senior Support Services, Inc.
SHIFT Planning and Design LLC
St. Charles Town Company
St. Francis Center
Stamm Dental
SubCulture
TBD Foods
The Bank of Denver
The Barrington Condominiums
The Center on Colfax
The Empowerment Program
The Park Tavern & Restaurant
The Parlour Capitol Hill
The Residences at Capitol Heights
The Sawaya Law Firm
Warren Village
Warwick Denver
Your Mom's House
And many more ... !
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  • HOME
    • Mission
    • History
    • Board of Directors
    • Committees
    • Neighborhoods
    • Bylaws
    • Contact Us
  • COMMUNITY IMPACT
    • Good Neighbor Awards
    • Tears-McFarlane House
    • Social Media Boosts
    • Good Neighbor Agreements
  • SEED Awards
    • SEED Requirements and Priorities
  • Urban Dweller
  • JOIN US
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    • Member Directory
    • Manage Membership
    • Receive CHUN Emails
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