e-Talk in 10
July 2010
From the office of Councilwoman Jeanne Robb
1437 Bannock St. Room 493 Denver, CO 80202
720.337.7710
Jeanne.Robb@denvergov.org
In This Issue:
- A Special Thank You Goes To… -
- “Seeing Red”-- Article on Photo Radar -
- Budget Cuts Some Flower Beds in District 10 -
- Recycle Your Christmas Tree with Denver Recycles! -
- 200 Columbine Project in Cherry Creek North -
- Colfax Avenue Guidelines, Improvements, and Studies! -
- Ice Build Up Fact Sheet -
- DPS New Enrollment Process- SchoolChoice -
- Improvements to the Congress Park Restroom To Be Completed in Spring 2012! -
- Cheesman Park Pedestrian Safety and Bicycle Use Announcement -
- Winter: Time to Plan Energy Saving Landscaping -
- Free Trees Offered to ALL Denver Residents This Spring -
- Annual Re-Registration for RNOs -
- Opt-Out of Getting Unwanted Phone Books -
- What’s Happening at Morey Neighborhood Center? -
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Events -
- Upcoming Events -
- City Council Meetings and News –
- January Calendar –
Councilwoman Robb’s District Office Hours
Because our office has moved to the City and County Building, Councilwoman Robb will be hosting office hours in four areas of her district every Thursday from 10-12 am. Look for her sign and stop by!
**Note: District Office Hour Locations will change periodically to continue to support local businesses so please pay attention to reminder emails and E-Talk, and as noted below occasionally the councilwoman will not be available.
· 1st Thursday: Dazbog Coffee (9th and Corona)—ONLY Feb 2
· 2nd Thursday: Geez Louise Coffee Shop (4924 E. Colfax Ave)
· 3rd Thursday: Aviano Coffee (2nd and St. Paul St.)
· 4th Thursday: Lamb Shoppe (3512 E. 12th Ave)
A Special Thank You Goes To…..
Happy New Year for 2012. The first thing I want to do is take the opportunity to thank a special person, Kellye Monaghan, who has worked very hard to make it possible for the recycling bin at 16th and Josephine to remain open during the scheduled times. Having the recycling bin open twice a week would not be possible without her consistent and reliable volunteer time. While the recycling bin has proven to be very popular, we have been unable to obtain regular volunteers to “man” it and without Kellye’s commitment it would not be open nearly as often as it is. I’m hoping in the New Year that some of you who routinely use the recycling site will be willing to put in a few hours on either a Wednesday afternoon, 3 – 6 pm, or Saturday morning. 9am – noon. In the meanwhile, we all owe Kellye a great big THANK YOU for her commitment to community.
“Seeing Red”-Article on Photo Radar
The renewal of Denver’s photo radar contract has been in the news lately. In fact, it’s the topic of my column in Life on Capitol Hill this month, so I won’t write at length now. You can find the article at Life on Capitol Hill.
The most controversial part of our discussions has been the enforcement of stop line violations. Drivers are supposed to stop behind the white stop line. Those who stop with both front wheels clearly beyond the line have been receiving $75 tickets. With the police department’s support, I am sponsoring an ordinance to reduce that fine to $40.
Budget Cuts Some Flower Beds in District 10
I was shocked and disappointed to learn that all of the annual flower beds on parkways in District 10 will not be planted this year by the Parks Department this year. Specifically, no annual beds on Seventh Avenue will be planted, but the perennial bed at 7th and Detroit/Fillmore will be planted. The urns in the First Avenue median between University and Downing will not be planted, but the Downing Parkway bed will have some perennial plantings. The yellow flower beds along Speer marking entrances to the Golden Triangle area will not be planted. The beds in Cheesman Park, Alamo Placita Park, and Civic Center will still be planted.
I am working with neighborhood organization boards and the Parks Department to figure out some interim solutions to restoring some of these beds for this summer.
Recycle Your Christmas Tree with Denver Recycles!
Your Christmas tree gave you so much joy during the holidays. Now give it a second life and recycle it with Denver’s Treecycle program. All trees collected through the program will be chipped into mulch and given away for free to Denver residents in the spring.
The last week for collection at residential homes begins Monday, January 9th. Follow the guidelines below for getting your Christmas tree recycled.
1. Remove all decorations and tree stand.
Sorry, no artificial or flocked (spray painted) trees. Real Christmas trees only.
2. Set your tree out for collection during the first two weeks of January only.
a. Dumpster service: Customers should place their Christmas tree out for recycling on Monday, January 9th for collection during that week. Do not place trees in dumpsters. Trees should be placed at least four feet away from dumpsters.
b. Barrel and Manual service: Customers should place their Christmas tree out for recycling on their normal trash day between January 9th and January 13th.
3. Watch your tree get picked up for recycling.
4. Reclaim free mulch made from your tree face on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at Denver’s Mulch Giveaway and Compost Sale.
For more information about Treecycle drop-sites open through the end of January, call 311 or visit online at www.DenverGov.org/DenverRecycles.
Cherry Creek Happenings
Four New Local Businesses have opened in Cherry Creek: Phat Thai – 2nd Avenue at Fillmore, Sugarlicious – 3rd and Milwaukee, Jeona at 3rd and Milwaukee, and Cuppy Cakes of Cherry Creek at 3rd and Elizabth.
Western Development Group is proposing to rezone the 200 block of Columbine (east side) from the current C-CCN zoning to C-MX-8 and C-MX-5 for a mixed-use project that would include office (at the south end on 2nd Ave.), residential/condominiums (mid-block) and retail/residential on 3rd Ave. The building would step-down from eight-stories on 2nd Ave. to three stories at 3rd Ave. The ground floor of the project would be wrapped with retail, and parking for all uses would be underground. A hotel is not planned for this site.
Western states, “Currently, the 200 block of Columbine (east side) has been difficult for property owners to find active uses. The buildings are generally considered functionally obsolete, and despite our best efforts, the block has been mostly vacant for some time.”
While a rezoning application has been submitted, Western is not planning to bring the application forward until after the draft Cherry Creek Area Plan is issued. (See Cherry Creek Plan below)Western will continue to work with the surrounding neighborhood and business community to provide more information and answer questions on the project as it becomes available. For more information, please contact Sean Maley at 303-570-3096.
The Cherry Creek Plan process which began in the spring of 2010, is entering the final phases. On Wednesday, January 18, the Cherry Creek Steering Committee (see calendar) will hear a report from economic development consultant Kenneth Ho. Mr. Ho was asked to analyze whether increased development capacity (height) would be needed to spur re-development or whether there is already enough un-used development capacity under the current zoning. And on Wednesday, February 15, the Steering Committee is tentatively scheduled to begin their review of a draft plan. Se we anticipate a large public meeting in late February or March.
Colfax Avenue Guidelines, Improvements, and Studies!
The Colfax Avenue Concept Plan is the new name for what many of us knew as the Colfax Street Guidelines. This document from Public Works will give guidance to City staff in the development review process and to property owners along the Colfax corridor and will serve as a foundation for future policies. Use the link (way) below & scroll down the page to access the introduction & link to the final document.
In the Spring of 2012 you will see the installation of streetscape improvements on East Colfax between Grant & St. Paul as part of the 2007 bond project passed by the voters which includes the following:
Colfax East - (Columbine to St. Paul) Improvements – Greektown
· Approximately six blocks in the designated “Greektown” area
· Improvements will help to create an enhanced transit corridor
· 28 new pedestrian lights will be installed that are painted a special “Greektown Blue” (these poles match the existing blue street furniture/bins in the area)
· Improve sidewalks and curb ramps
· Install 14 trees with irrigation
These improvements will be maintained with funding from the Greektown Local Maintenance District
Some traffic impacts are anticipated during construction as work on the sidewalk/crossing ramps could constrict traffic and turns while improvements are being done. The irrigation street taps will affect Colfax traffic, and closure of the parking lanes will be needed at times. Project Managers anticipate that work in the Greektown area will commence before work in the Grant to Columbine section begins.
Colfax East - (Grant to Columbine) Improvements - CBID
· Approximately 20 blocks
· Improvements will help to create an enhanced transit corridor
· Upgrade pedestrian sidewalk lights, adding 127 new pedestrian lights with better light coverage to make the area safer and more welcoming.
· Replace old light posts and add pedestrian lights on several dark stretches where none previously existed
· The 1960s-era “hairdryer type” light posts with constricted light coverage will be replaced with new classic-looking acorn glass/dome lights. The new/additional lights match the recently installed pedestrian lights (between Corona and Franklin)
· Pedestrian lighting will be maintained by the Colfax Business Improvement District
Project construction will have minimal traffic impacts; however parking meters will be bagged in the immediate area of construction while light pole improvements are being done.
Click here to view the Colfax Area Concept Plan.
P.S. The contracts for the Colfax Avenue Alternatives Analysis, which is the follow-up to the Colfax Streetcar Feasibility Study have been awarded. The Alternatives Analysis is a much more detailed study, required if Denver applies for federal funding for streetcar or transit. More on this in future E-Talks.
Ice Build Up Fact Sheet
The current weather pattern of sunny days and cool nights are perfect for formation of ice in shady areas of streets and alleys. Street Maintenance has multiple crews addressing requests to remove ice, but as of Wednesday morning, Dec. 28, there are 282 requests and crews are able to complete roughly 10 a day. Please remember our equipment cannot safely cut ice out of alleys.
Most citizens think the formation of ice is due to poor drainage, but this is not the case. Any shady spot in pavements will be 5° to 10° cooler than sunny areas. Snow melt will hit these areas and refreeze, causing pools of ice to form. With low sun angle and short days we have many shady spots and ice is developing in thousands of locations throughout Denver.
An ice blade request through 311 is the best option for citizens. You may hear from folks that they are not seeing a rapid response to their request. Crews are working continuously on ice removal and are trying to get to as many locations as possible. However, when the next snow event arrives, these crews will switch back to snow plowing.
For more information about ice, on the City’s ice removal efforts and what homeowner’s can do to help prevent ice build-up, we encourage everyone to visit the City webpage on Icing in the Curb and Gutter. This information can also be reached by typing “gutter ice” into the City website search engine and clicking on the first item.
For information on Denver’s Snow Removal efforts please visit http://www.denversnowplan.com/. This website offers up-to-the minute- updates about snow.
DPS New Enrollment Process- SchoolChoice
It’s open enrollment time for Denver schools! District 10 families are fortunate to be served by strong neighborhood schools – Dora Moore, Bromwell, Teller Elementaries located in District 10 and Steck Elementary which is located in Hilltop (Council District 5 but serves children in the eastern part of Council District 10); Morey Middle School in District 10 and Hill Middle School in District 5; and East High School. Further the new Girls Athletic Leadership School (grades 6-9) is located just south of District 10 at University and Alameda. But we can’t begin to list all of the opportunities offered by Denver Public Schools.
Get Smart Schools is hosting two informational sessions in January for parents, students, and teachers to give them a better understanding on how students get matched with schools. The event is called, "How Do Kids Get Assigned to DPS Schools? " The first session will be held on Saturday, January 7, from 9-10am at East High School and the second session will be held on January 11, from 6-7pm at George Washington High School.
Denver Public Schools (DPS) has changed its enrollment process for the 2012-13 school year.
The new process came in response to feedback from DPS and community leaders as well as education advocates and DPS families who found the previous system was hard to navigate.
All traditional, innovation, charter and magnet schools are participating in the new system. Previously, charter and magnet schools each conducted their own enrollment process. Combined with the existing choice process managed by the district for its traditional neighborhood schools, there were more than 60 different enrollment processes with different forms and due dates for public schools across Denver.
Every transitioning student (incoming K, 6th and 9th grades and any student who wants to change schools) is encouraged to indicate their school preferences on the SchoolChoice form, which is available at any DPS school and online at http://schoolchoice.dpsk12.org/2012-13-school-year/forms-and-documents/. Families can also access the helpful enrollment guides online at http://schoolchoice.dpsk12.org/enrollment-guides/.
Completed SchoolChoice forms are due no later than 5:00 PM on January 31, 2012. Forms can be turned in at any DPS school or at 900 Grant Street. During the month of February, the district will work to collect and process all SchoolChoice forms in an attempt to get each student into his/her most highly preferred school. SchoolChoice applicants will be notified in writing of their 2012/13 school assignment on or around March 1, 2012.
Improvements to the Congress Park Restroom To Be Completed in Spring 2012!
Denver Parks and Recreation is pleased to announce that much needed improvements and renovations to the Congress Park restroom will completed in spring of 2012. Wilderness Construction has been chosen as the contractor to complete the project. Work will begin mid-January.
Upgrades include:
· New lighting
· New roof
· New restroom partitions, fixtures, windows and doors
· Sidewalks and entry configurations will also be improved.
The total price for the renovations is approximately $100,000 provided by the Better Denver Bond Project. Gordon Carruth of Denver Parks and Recreation and Julia Fitzpatrick of General Services will manage the project. The Forestry division has removed and trimmed several trees around the existing restroom in preparation for the project. In addition, the Parks irrigation crew will renovate the irrigation in the area once the building construction is complete. If you have any questions about this project please contact Gordon Carruth at Gordon.carruth@denvergov.org or 720-913-0634.
Cheesman Park Pedestrian Safety and Bicycle Use Announcement
Individual park users, Neighborhood groups, the Cheesman Park Advisory Group and my office have expressed concern about conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists within the park. This announcement clarifies the rules for bike use within the park. The concrete walks and crusher fines paths are intended for pedestrian use only, cyclists are to use park roads or dismount if using park walks. The entire park road is both a north-south and east-west bicycle route. The maximum road speed is 15 MPH for all vehicles including bicycles. The Department of Parks and Recreation thanks all park users in advance for your considerate attention to this important matter of public safety. Please help us make the park a good experience for all users.
Winter: Time to Plan Energy Saving Landscaping
A well-designed landscape not only can add beauty to your home but it also can reduce your heating and cooling costs. On average, landscaping for energy efficiency provides enough energy savings to return an initial investment in less than 8 years. If you were already planning to landscape, these tips provide an ideal way to beautify your home while saving on your monthly energy bill.
Plant trees to shade your home, reducing your cooling costs in the summer months. Typically, newly planted trees will begin shading windows in their first year and will reach your roof in years 5-10.
Planting shrubs, bushes, and vines next to your house creates dead air spaces that insulate your home in both winter and summer. Plant so there will be at least 1 foot (30 centimeters) of space between full-grown plants and your home's wall.
During winter, dense, low-lying trees and shrubbery on the north and northeast sides of your home can help protect your home against wind chill.
Free Trees Offered to ALL Denver Residents This Spring
This spring only, all Denver residents are eligible for free trees regardless of where they live within the city. This rare opportunity is made possible by two tree distribution programs: The Park People’s annual Denver Digs Trees street tree program and the City’s Mile High Million tree planting initiative.
Any resident of the City and County of Denver can apply for free trees to plant along the street in the public right-of-way. Additionally, those who have space for trees on the west side of their homes – whether in front, back, or side yards or along the street – are eligible to have trees delivered and planted for them.
Availability will be limited, and applications are due no later than February 15, 2012. Visit www.theparkpeople.org or call 303-722-6262 for application information.
Annual Re-Registration for RNOs
All registered neighborhood organizations that wish to maintain their status with Denver must re-register by January 31, 2012.
The City and County of Denver registers neighborhood organizations each year to enable them to receive notification of zoning map amendments, zoning variance applications, liquor and cabaret license applications and various other informational items.
Neighborhood organizations have the option of completing and returning a hard copy of this form which can be found on my website. Neighborhood organizations may also re-register electronically. To do so, save this form on your desktop, complete the form, save changes and return it as an email attachment to Julius.zsako@denvergov.org.
You can view your group’s current information on the Denver Maps feature of DenverGov at the following link. CPD rely on you to notify them of changes in your contact information. Due to a high volume of traffic on Denver Maps, it may take up to 30 seconds for the page to appear.
http://www.denvergov.org/denvermaps/report.asp?rpt=norg&cat=cprop&me=3106976,1644364,3255209,1761837
In order to be considered for registration, you must agree to the following:
I fully understand and will comply with the regulations of the Neighborhood Registration Ordinance (Revised Municipal code, Section 12-91) that state:
-Our organization will be open to any owner of any real property or resident located within the neighborhood boundaries of the proposed organization.
-The organization will be a general purpose group formed for the purpose of collectively addressing issues and interests common to the area.
-Our organization will assign a contact person who can be notified by phone, e-mail and mail of upcoming events affecting our neighborhood.
-Our organization will hold a meeting at which all members may vote at least once in each calendar year and at least 12 members must be in attendance at the annual meeting. All meetings shall be open to the public. A list of those attending the annual meeting shall be kept.
Please mail or email the completed form by January 31, 2012 to:
Julius Zsako
Community Planning and Development
Dept 205
201 W. Colfax Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80202
Julius.zsako@denvergov.org
Questions? Please call Julius Zsako at 720-865-2969
Opt-Out of Getting Unwanted Phone Books
Many Denver residents will soon receive the new year’s phone books. If you use electronic resources for locating phone numbers, addresses and business information then please opt-out of receiving new phone books.
You may opt-out of receiving new phone books by contacting the following Colorado phone book publishers:
· Dex: 1-866-606-9339 or www.dexknows.com/green
· Yellow Book: 1-800-929-3556
· Verizon: 1-800-888-8448
· Others: www.yellowpagesoptout.com
What’s Happening at Morey Neighborhood Center?
Morey Neighborhood Center is a community education and recreation center located in Capitol Hill at 14th and Emerson Streets (inside Morey Middle School). For more information on their programs, visit their website http://mnc.dpsk12.org or contact us at moreyneighborhoodcenter@dpsk12.org, or phone 720-424-0791.
Morey Neighborhood Center Adult Classes - Register now! GREAT LOW PRICES!!
Monday Evening 10 week session starting January 29: Español II, Pilates, Computer Basics, Water Aerobics, and Knitting.
Wednesday Evening 10 week session starting February 1: Español I, Zumba, Yoga, and Adult Swim Lessons.
Contact us for more information on 10 week session fees, schedule, and to register.
Morey Neighborhood Center Fitness – No Membership Required! - Only $3 per visit!
Come enjoy our drop-in fitness facility for only $3 per visit! The center has an indoor pool, a weight room (with a new Elliptical machine), two gyms and a running track. Great place for pick-up basketball. Hours are Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm. Multi-pass and senior discounts are available. Personal Training also is available for a small fee. No membership required! No registration required.
Morey Neighborhood Center Children’s Swim Lessons (located at National Jewish Health)
Morey Neighborhood Center also offers swimming lessons for kids of all ages at National Jewish Health, 1400 Jackson St. (Colfax and Colorado) on Saturdays. All classes are on Saturdays between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. Class sessions run throughout the year and include parent-child, preschool, beginner, intermediate, advanced, and masters. New session starts Saturday, JANUARY 14. Visit our website for class descriptions, schedule, and prices. Advanced registration is required, preferably by email
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Events
Monday, January 16, 2012 is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and I hope that you can join in the many community events. Please note that federal, state, city, post offices, and most schools are closed on this day, including my office. Here are some events in Denver that may be interested in:
27th Annual MLK Marade Monday, January 16, Rally begins at the Dr. King memorial site in City Park at 9 am and the March/Parade is from 10:00 – 11:55 ending in Civic Center with another Rally. Program festivities are expected to end at 1pm. Click here for more information.
MLK Jr. African American Heritage Rodeo Champions Monday, January 16, 2012 starting at 6:00 pm at National Western Stock Show Events Center, 4655 Humboldt St. Reserved seating for this event costs between $13-$35. Click here for more information.
See how black cowboys and cowgirls impacted the West throughout history.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, Monday, January 16, 2012.
To find a volunteer activity in your community, click here.
Upcoming Events and Reminders
Free Days Around Denver
Denver Museum of Nature and Science: Monday, January 9; Monday, January 30
Denver Botanic Gardens: Monday, January 16
Denver Art Museum: Saturday, January 7
Denver Zoo: Friday, January 6; Saturday, January 7; Wednesday, January 18
Denver Center for the Performing Arts: Each Tuesday at 10am, the DCPA will release a limited number of #10 tickets. Ten seats for every Denver Center Theater Co. performance in the coming week will qualify (up to 25 shows per week). Use code SCFD. Visit www.scfd.org.
· 2012 Season for Cherry Creek Theater. Tickets are now available for the 2012 season. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.
City Council Meetings and News
City Council meets every Monday at 5:30 at the City and County building (14th and Bannock St., 4th Floor, Room 451). Sign up for the speaker’s list starts at 5:30pm. The hearings take place after first reading and the exact time depends on where the bill is listed on the agenda.
LUTI Committee, Tuesday, January 17 at 10:30am: Historic Designation of Lowenstein Theater
Sunflower Public Hearing: Monday February 6th @ City Council
( Rezoning of 1532 & 1540 Monroe St., & 1551 Garfield St.)
January Calendar
A "Meetings of Neighborhood Interest" calendar has been added to the "Residents" page on www.denvergov.org. Click here to go directly to the calendar. Check out the City of Denver’s event calendar www.denver365.com. To share your event with others add it to the left hand side of the homepage and be sure to indicate from the pull down menu which part of the city your event is in.
DAY
EVENT
TIME
PLACE
Mon Jan 9
City Council Weekly Meeting
5:30 pm
City Council Chambers
City and County building
14th and Bannock St., 4th Floor, Room 451
Wed Jan 11
Happy on the Hill
5:30 pm – 7 pm
TBD
Thurs Jan 12
Parks and Rec Advisory Board Meeting
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Webb Building
4.G.2
Thurs Jan 12
CHUN Annual Meeting: Good Neighbor’s Award
7 pm – 8:30 pm
St John’s Cathedral
1350 Washington
Mon Jan 16
Martin Luther King Day-
Federal, State, City, Post Offices and most schools closed
No City Council Meeting
Tues Jan 17
City Council Weekly Meeting
(note the change in night because of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
5:30 pm
City Council Chambers
City and County building
14th and Bannock St., 4th Floor, Room 451
Tues Jan 17
Golden Triangle Annual Meeting
6 pm – 7:30 pm
Curious Theatre
1080 Acoma
Wed Jan 18
Cherry Creek Steering Committee
(CC Area Plan Economic Analysis Presentation)
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
299 Milwaukee
Thurs Jan 19
Cherry Creek East General Meeting
6 pm – 7:30 pm
Young Americans Bank
3550 E. 1st Ave
Mon Jan 23
City Council Weekly Meeting
5:30 pm
City Council Chambers
City and County building
14th and Bannock St., 4th Floor, Room 451
Thurs Jan 26
CPAG
5:30 pm
Tears-McFarlane
1290 Williams St.
Thurs Jan 26
7th Avenue Neighborhood Meeting
(Sembler Project)
7 pm – 8:30 pm
Good Shepherd
620 Elizabeth
Mon Jan 29
City Council Weekly Meeting
5:30 pm
City Council Chambers
City and County building
14th and Bannock St., 4th Floor, Room 451
Thurs Feb 3
Colorado Blvd Healthcare District Meeting
(Sembler-Transportation Issues)
4 pm
National Jewish
Molly Blank Room
Thurs Feb 3
District 3 Police Meeting for Neighborhood Groups
6 pm- 7:30 pm
1625 S. University Blvd
This electronic newsletter was prepared by Councilwoman Robb and her staff in her office on city computers. Therefore, it was paid for by taxpayer dollars.
* E-Talk in 10 is posted on our website along with past newsletters.