Spring has sprung and whether or not you have a green thumb, there is an opportunity for you to help beautify Upper Downtown and Civic Center Park. As you might have heard, the migrant crisis required that the city shift funds from some programs to help house, feed, and support Newcomers. Luckily, the Upper Downtown flowerpots will still be planted because those funds come from the Business Improvement District. However, most of the city parks lost their funding for flowers this year. The Civic Center Conservancy needs our help. If you’d like to donate or volunteer to plant flowers in Civic Center Park, please use these links: Donate: https://civiccenterpark.org/support-us/donate/ Volunteer: https://civiccenterpark.org/events/sparkles/
Update – Meeting with City Leaders and BOMA: As you know, last month UpDoNA hosted a meeting with city leaders and the members of the Building Owners and Managers Association to address the concerns of tenants and office workers. The purpose of the meeting was to provide the information necessary to convince a large oil and gas company with hundreds of employees to remain downtown. I am happy to report that the oil and gas company has made the decision to remain downtown! Mission accomplished!
UpDoNA Board of Director Positions: Please consider running for the UpDoNA Board of Directors. Help us continue the important work that is necessary to keep Upper Downtown a great place for everyone who lives, works, and plays here. Please contact me at lisapope@updona.org or Rob Squire at robsquire@updona.org with your intent to run.
UpDoNA Annual Meeting: UpDoNA’s Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 13th, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., at Casa Tequila located at 934 16th Street – corner of Curtis and 16th Streets. Please join us for delicious Mexican food, drinks, and a guest speaker from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure who will discuss the exciting things that will start appearing on the 16th Street Mall. You will also be introduced to the newly elected UpDoNA Board of Directors. Watch your emails in the coming weeks for an Eventbrite link.
Police Advisory Board: The Denver Police Department was recently awarded a grant in the amount of $122,000 for a “Foot Patrol” program. The Foot Patrols are on Mondays and Fridays and focus on three areas designated as “persistently violation locations” – Colfax and Broadway, the 400-500 blocks of Colfax, and the 1400 block of Colfax and Broadway. The officers will offer shelter, food, or treatment programs for those they find in need. And, sometimes, they might happen upon a crime in progress which was the case just a few weeks ago – https://www.westword.com/news/denver-anti-crime-walk-leads-to-arrest-for-menacing-drug-distribution-20406828 Also, as the fences on the 16th Street Mall are removed, you should notice that there are increased police foot and bicycle patrols on the mall and in other areas of Upper Downtown.
Denver District Attorney Debate: Thanks to everyone who attended the Denver District Attorney Debate on Tuesday, April 30th, at the Buell Media Center. The two candidates, John Walsh and Leora Joseph, were asked several questions about their stance on crime and how they will run the District Attorney’s office. Ms. Lisi Owen recently pulled out of the race. The debate was recorded, so if you couldn’t attend you will be able to watch the debate. Once the video is prepared, the link will be emailed to all members and posted on our social media platforms.
DOWNTOWN DENVER NATIONAL NIGHT OUT. The second annual Downtown Denver National Night Out at Skyline Park 1 will be held on Tuesday, August 6th, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. UpDoNA will once again partner with LoDoNA and the Downtown Denver Partnership to host this amazing event that builds community and honors the police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and others who serve and protect us. There will be food, drinks, games, demonstrations, and giveaways. You will also have the opportunity to explore firetrucks, ambulances, and classic police cruisers. Drew Engelbart and Kylie Bearse from Fox News Denver will be this year’s emcees. Make plans to attend!
Have a wonderful and safe Memorial Weekend!
Talk to you again in June!
Lisa L. Pope, President
Thumbnail attribution – Lisa Pope
