Urban Dweller

VOLUME 39, EDITION 4

5/31/2021

Message From the President

Greetings Friends and Neighbors,

I hope this message finds you in good health. 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 advocate:

New Policy Platform shapes future of CHUN. CHUN's Board of Directors adopted a new policy platform to guide organizational priorities, engagement and partnership opportunities, and public policy initiatives. Our longstanding mission has focused on preserving the past, improving the present, and planning for the future of Denver's greater Capitol Hill community. The platform addresses ten categories ranging from environmental sustainability and historic preservation to neighborhood collaboration and inclusivity. It is through each category that we intend to take action and follow best practices consistent with the organization's mission and values.

CHUN and City Street Investors ink 1290 Williams partnership. After 4 years of due diligence and a HUGE amount of work, CHUN and City Street Investors closed on a joint venture partnership making us co-owners of Denver’s historic Tears-McFarlane property at 1290 Williams Street. In 1962, the Denver Post proclaimed the Tears-McFarlane dining room as “one of the loveliest in the city” with its prominent position and magnificent views of Cheesman Park. Thanks to this partnership, CHUN and CSI will be able to restore the house to its former glory while providing neighborhood-serving office space and amenities, including a café. The partnership gives CHUN the financial ability to establish an endowment that will fund our operations and community investments in perpetuity.

CHUN calls for Denver-wide solutions to address homelessness; leans into neighborly behaviors.  A legal suit against Colorado Village Collaborative, Park Hill United Methodist Church, et al was dismissed by a Denver judge last month. Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods, along with our partners at the RiNo Arts District and Uptown on the Hill, issued a public statement calling for civility and encouraging Denverites to be "...solutions oriented at the neighborhood level...” further citing measurable successes demonstrated by the two, pilot temporary safe outdoor sites in the greater Capitol Hill community. Vexing city issues require Denver-wide solutions and neighborhood cooperation.

CHUN joins community partners at city-wide forum to discuss temporary SOS model.  Denver Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation is hosting a public forum about the Safe Outdoor Space program that is providing temporary shelter for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Denver. The forum will explore questions such as: How do temporary Safe Outdoor Spaces affect neighborhoods as they provide shelter and services for their residents? How does this approach fit in with the range of other approaches to help with homelessness? Panelists will include Councilperson Robin Kniech, Cole Chandler, Tina Axelrad, Travis Leiker, Judy Trompeter, and Mark Montes.

A new model for negotiating neighborhood planning outcomes. Last month, Denver City Council rejected the landmark designation application for 123 Speer. When the landmark applicants and sellers of the property reached an impasse, CHUN negotiated a memorandum of understanding with PMG Holdings calling for a neighborhood working group to shape the future of this site. The parties agreed to thoughtfully collaborate and conceptualize opportunities for the site including, small business recruitment, attainable/affordable housing, smart street design, traffic study, potential adaptive reuse, and a number of other areas. We grew concerned with the discourse taking place, and as I told the Denver Post "..we are putting together what could be a model for future sites, both in the greater Capitol Hill community and in the city and county of Denver...when neighbors work together the city wins.” Refraining from absolutes and engaging in thoughtful dialogue its how municipal governance works. Now, the important work of ideation and community feedback begins. CHUN is excited to be a part of this conversation.

History Matters Shines Light on Smart Development AND Historic Preservation. Our History Matters committee has long been interested in preserving Denver's rich history through innovative neighborhood design and adaptive reuse of Denver's historic buildings. On June 9, the committee is hosting a forum highlighting projects spearheaded by developers who share these values, too. Register here to attend and learn more about how these two competing interests have worked together with real examples throughout our City.

Help us clean up the streets of Congress and Cheesman Park. CHUN, Harm Reduction Action Center, and our fellow neighborhood champions are hosting a neighborhood clean up on on Saturday, June 19th. If you are eager to get outdoors and support neighborhood beautification, join us! We will meet at the Congress Park Community Board - 12th Ave. and Clayton St. Then, our group will break out into small groups and walk west along 12th, 13th, and 14th Avenues. Our end point will be the Historic Tears-McFarlane House at 1290 Williams Street. To volunteer, contact [email protected].

Expanding our social media presence. With more than 4000 followers across all social media channels, CHUN is expanding its social media presence. We have revamped our LinkedIn page. Share your job postings, content, important work, or other information so we can help Denverites establish a professional brand and create professional networking opportunities.

June is a month to celebrate, commemorate, and honor those who defied odds and pursued justice. June 19th, known as Juneteenth, is the holiday celebrating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the US. Now a commemorative holiday in Denver, The New York Times published an important overview about the day and its significance. Forty years ago this June, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published an article titled Pneumocystis Pneumonia—Los Angeles; it was the first article reporting on a rare disease that would later be known as AIDS. Finally, June is Pride Month. It has been 52 years since the Stonewall riots, but the pursuit of equality across all lines of difference continues.

In the words of James Baldwin, “It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.”  Let us never loose sight of our power to promote truth and support an equitable, inclusive city.

For Denver ...

Travis Leiker
President & Executive Director
Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods

Member of the Month:

The Center on Colfax opened in 1976 and has become the largest LGBTQ community center in the Rocky Mountain region. The Center continues to focus on fulfilling its mission to ensure that every member of the LGBTQ community has access to the programs and resources they need to live happy, healthy, and productive lives.
CHUN is honored to call them a neighbor and community partner. Together, we can are committed to create a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable Denver.

Join CHUN today at chundenver.org/membership

CHUN News and Events:

Tears-McFarlane Gardens

Thanks to our new groundskeeper, Ina, the gardens and flower pots around our Tears-McFarlane house are extra colorful and extra beautiful.

Thank you Ina!

E-Waste Recycling Event - 2500 lbs of Success

The electronics recycling event that CHUN and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church co-sponsored on Saturday, May 8, was a resounding success.

With the help of SustainAbility, a local recycling company whose diverse workforce includes individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, area neighbors cleared their homes of more than a ton’s worth of computer towers, modems and routers, laptops, tablets, printers and used cartridges, televisions, DVD players and stereo equipment and cellphones.

Some of the more unusual items included microwaves, blenders, digital cameras, earphones and even electric toothbrushes; by the morning’s end, charging cords and cables alone filled up an entire bin! Our sincere thanks to the very efficient crew at SustainAbility, to all neighbors who availed themselves of this opportunity, and most especially to Bonita Bock, longtime CHUN member and a member of Our Savior’s, who paved the planning way with SustainAbility and provided several church volunteers to boot.

Be a Waterwise Gardener

Did you know that the average rainfall in the Denver area is just 11 to 15 inches? On April 22,
(Earth Day) CHUN hosted a webinar on “Waterwise Gardening”. Presenting were Colorado
Master Gardeners Linda McDonnell and Ann Hughes, who suggested a number of ways to use
water more efficiently when landscaping, such as drought-tolerant plants, shrubs and trees,
including a variety of native species.

If you are interested in reducing water while also having an attractive landscape, you can watch
Linda and Ann’s presentation here: https://bit.ly/3vZmIw8.

CHUN Committee Reports:

History Matters Committee

Special Event: CHUN History Matters Program about the future of responsible development in Capitol Hill on June 9 from 6 to 7:15 p.m. At this event, Semple Brown Architects will share the renderings of the recently approved plans for the restoration and redevelopment of CHUN's historic Tears-McFarlane house.

CHUN History Matters submitted 5 nominations to Historic Denver’s '50 Actions for 50 Places Campaign'. We solicited nominations from the CHUN Board and History Matters Committee members and came up with some terrific historic buildings that everyone should consider visiting.

2436 Gaylord St. – The former home of Charles J. Blackwood, Jr., MD
780 Steele St. – The former home of Judge Raymond Jones
Tattered Cover at 2526 E. Colfax Ave. – Site of the former Lowenstein Theatre
Colfax and York Commercial District. – The three corners (NW, NE and SW) of this intersection create a uniquely historic experience for Denver residents. attachments for more information on these buildings.
1763 Williams St. – Residence designed by Robert Roeschlaub

The committee has been involved in demolition permit review, background conversations, Landmark Commission meetings and the recent City Council meeting focused on the landmark application for the Channel 7 Building as well as neighboring restaurants in the Governor's Park neighborhood. This efforts resulted in CHUN having a critical “seat at the table” for the future of this neighborhood. An MOU has been developed with regard to the Channel 7 property and a six-month hold is in place on the demolition application for the restaurants on 7th and Grant.

Community Engagement Committee

'CHUN will host a series called "CHUN-Talkwa" in October at the Tears-McFarlane house. Please help us identify interesting people in your neighborhood or someone that you would like to get to know more. Email board member Jamie LaRue at [email protected] or call 720-530-4294 to get involved.

CHUN will be a new sponsor of the Art Student League of Denver’s annual Summer Art Market, a two-day outdoor festival at 200 Grant Street to be held August 28 & 29. As part of our customized sponsorship, CHUN will be hosting a coffee cart and welcoming visitors as they arrive in the morning. Visitors will be able to learn about CHUN and the benefits of membership. As an incentive, those who join CHUN will be entered into a drawing for art created by a local artist. Interested in volunteering for an hour or two either day? Contact Vickie Berkley at [email protected]

To support Cap Hill businesses, we will hold a Small Biz Bingo over two months this fall. Participants will visit participating small businesses in Cap Hill and get their bingo card stamped. Participants who get a 'bingo' can turn their cards in for a gift certificate to a participating small business. Everyone wins! More details coming soon.

The Little Free Pantry located at the Tears-McFarlane House now has a new door with latch. Wind and frequent use led to the old door to come off its hinges.

We are close to announcing our first CHUN-sponsored Free Yoga in the Park, starting this June. Stay tuned!

Denver and Colorado News and Events:

Restore Colorado: Supporting Regenerative Agriculture

Boulder County and the Denver Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency (CASR) are collaborating with Mad Agriculture and Zero Foodprint to launch Restore Colorado, a pilot program that confronts climate change by building connections between farmers and restaurants to incentivize regenerative soil practices.

“This program gives me hope that citizens, businesses, farmers, scientists and governments can come together and tackle climate change while improving the food system,” said Anthony Myint, Zero Foodprint co-founder. “As restaurants move toward reopening in 2021, Restore Colorado is a chance to create a new normal that tackles climate change with healthy soil on local farms. This program is all about optimism and action. We can actually eat our way out of the climate crisis.”

Restore Colorado creates a way for businesses, such as restaurants and compost haulers, to add a voluntary 1% fee that goes into a fund to support Colorado farmers and ranchers to engage in practices that support healthy soil and carbon sequestration.

When you dine and shop at Restore Colorado restaurants and businesses, let them know you patronize their business because they are participating in Restore Colorado and thank them for their involvement.

For a list of participating businesses, see Restore Colorado.

Denver Partners with Developers to Forward its Transportation Goals

To help further Denver's Mobility Action Plan and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a new ordinance introduced by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) and passed by Denver City Council requires new developments to implement measures that expand people’s travel options and create attractive alternatives to driving.

Examples strategies that developers may choose from to increase mobility options and reduce single occupancy vehicle trips include:

Offering subsidized transit passes
Supporting/offering car share opportunities
Offering people who walk or bike to work amenities such as showers, lockers, and changing rooms
Shared amenities for people who ride bikes, such as repair kits and air pumps
Event or one-time transit passes or a transit validation program
Eliminating policies/practices that subsidize parking and incentivize driving
Work from Home and alternative work schedule policies

The measures Denver will require of developers will correspond to the size of the development, as well as the type of development and land use context.

Details about these requirements are outlined in the Transportation Demand Management Plan.

Historic Cultural District Designation Proposed for La Alma Lincoln Park

Through a partnership with Historic Denver, residents of La Alma Lincoln Park researched the history of the neighborhood, held informational and listening sessions with residents, and interviewed long-time community residents and leaders. On March 22, 2021, community members and residents of the neighborhood applied to designate the La Alma Lincoln Park neighborhood as Denver’s newest Historic Cultural District.

A recording of the 2nd Community Meeting on the Historic District proposal is available on YouTube.

The application can be found the Landmark Preservation page.

About La Alma Lincoln Park

The La Alma Lincoln Park neighborhood is one of Denver’s oldest residential neighborhoods and was home to many important events and leaders connected to the Chicano Movement. Established near the railroad and Burnham Yards as a working-class immigrant community in the 1870s and 1880s, the architecture of the neighborhood reflects the early development of the area and illustrates the changes over time. Through the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, the neighborhood was home to much of the Chicano community and was the space to meet, support each other, and advocate for equal treatment.

Photo: La Alma (The Soul), Emanuel Martinez, 1978, located at the La Alma Recreation Center.

Landmark Preservation Webinars

The Denver Landmark Preservation Commission hosts a monthly webinar series devoted to Landmark preservation. The topics are informative for residents of historic districts and properties, such as tax credits, window replacements, and new construction. Each session will be held at 12 p.m. on Zoom. The next event on June 10th covers new construction in Historic Districts.

Upcoming dates and topics:

June 10 | Let's Talk About New Construction in Historic Districts | Join webinar
July 8 | Let's Talk About Tax Credits for Historic Properties | Join webinar
Aug. 12 | Let's Talk About the Discover Denver Survey | Join webinar
Sept. 9 | Intro to Demolition review | Join webinar

City of Denver Wants Your Input on $700M+ Stimulus Funding

Denver is making a once-in-a-generation investment into our economic recovery through more than $700 million in stimulus funds. With $308 million from the American Rescue Plan Act and its own $400 million General Obligation Bond, Denver's recovery strategy focuses on community and business support, as well as infrastructure investments to build back Denver’s economy in a way that is equitable, sustainable, and supports communities most impacted by the pandemic.
You can join the conversation at www.RiseTogetherDenver.org and by joining a telephone townhall with a panel of city leadership. Join the telephone townhall by calling 1-888-400-1932 at one of these times:

Thursday, June 3 | 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 5 | 9 a.m.
Sunday, June 6 | 11 a.m.

Podcast with Safe Outdoor Space Resident, David Gordon

As part of City Cast Denver's partnership with the Denver VOICE - a paper written in part by people experiencing homelessness - here is a deeply personal story from David Gordon, who's been living at one of the 'safe outdoor spaces' in Capitol Hill. It's a story of relationships and the kinds of impacts reliable housing can have on them.

pod.link/citycastdenver/episode/36ef60a78752e3b83ba090e2bbc1c40a [scroll down to 'What a Safe Outdoor Space Means to One of Our Unhoused Neighbors']

Denver Launches New Bike and Scooter Share Programs

Denver’s Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI) has received approval from Denver City Council to move ahead with licensing agreements for Lyft and Lime to operate scooter and bike share services in Denver. In exchange, Denver will receive multi-million-dollar investments from the two companies and offer residents a comprehensive citywide bike share program.