The holidays are in full swing. Denver was recently named one of the best cities in the country for the holidays, and our Christkindl Market was named the best Bavarian-style Christmas Market in the nation. Make sure to invite your family and friends, near and far, to come downtown to enjoy all the festivities! Don’t forget to shop local!
Tis the season for giving and our three strategic partners, STEP Denver, The Delores Project, and Urban Peak are in need of cash donations and items for their shelters and residents. Please read Ron Townsend’s UpDoNA Cares article for more information on how you can brighten the holiday for those in need.
The DDA Expansion passed receiving over 80% of the votes. This is fantastic news for Upper Downtown. The Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee, along with your input, becomes even more important! By early 2025, we should start receiving funds to make the Downtown Area Plan a reality, so decisions need to be made. Please plan to attend the Second Community Open House on Monday December 4th, at the newly-renovated Central Library. There will be two presentations, one at 12:30 p.m. and the other at 5:00 p.m. Come down to see the emerging vision and share your priorities for improving the city center. If you are unable to attend, there will be a second survey opportunity later in December.
Pickleball anyone? More than a year ago Rob Squire and I attended a meeting with various city agencies to discuss a temporary activation for the gravel area next to the RTD Civic Center Station at Colfax and Lincoln. Originally, a museum honoring The Gang of 19 was planned, however, the gradient of the land made it impossible. (In July of 1978, 19 people with disabilities blocked two Denver RTD buses to protest the city’s inaccessible city transit system. Their protest led to the American Disabilities Act. Read more about honoring the Gang of 19 in the Civic Center Park paragraph below.) Many ideas were discussed such as a dog park, park with rotating art, food truck area, etc. Given its recent rise in popularity, it seems that the city has landed on building pickleball courts. Although plans are still in the concept stage, there will be six pickleball courts with shade canopies and seating. This intersection has been plagued with crime for years, so activating the area is great way to make it safer.
Recently, I attended a presentation regarding the master renovation plans for Civic Center Park. Many large-scale events are held there, but the plan is to make changes so that Civic Center Park is used daily. The first phase includes the promenade and Greek Theater. The promenade will be changed so that it becomes a north/south axis connecting the art museum area with downtown. The plan for the Greek Theater is to flip the stage and seating so that the sun is no longer in the eyes of people watching performances. A dramatic, arching canopy will cover the new stage area. Garden rooms and walks are also planned. A meditative garden with a monument honoring the Gang of 19 will be prominently placed off the main promenade.
Recently, UpDoNA’s Safety Committee met with our Community Resource Officers Knabe and Main to discuss crime and safety issues in Upper Downtown. Officer Knabe reported the latest crime statistics for our neighborhood. Comparing January-October of 2023 to 2024, overall crime is down 26%, with drug offenses down 56.8%, criminal trespasses down 52%, criminal mischief down 15%, aggravated assaults down 10.6%, and robberies down 12.9%. Definitely significant improvements in downtown. However, typically thefts increase during the holidays. Don’t become a victim. Here are some safety tips: don’t leave gifts in your car, place them in the trunk instead, remain vigilant in parking garages, thieves are on the prowl, consider having packages delivered to locked boxes such as Amazon, refrain from puffing (warming up your unattended car) because it is a sure way to have your car stolen.
Finally, the Cherry Creek Trail Mural is finished! A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for December 9th. Thanks again to Sal Tripodi and UpDoNA’s Arts & Beautification Committee for applying for grant funds and for commissioning this art piece. Please go to the pedestrian ramp between Colfax and Stout Streets to see the mural that celebrates Denver.
Lisa L. Pope
President
Thumbnail attribution – Lisa Pope
