Successful second annual Downtown Denver National Night Out 2024 – 400-500 attendees.
Worked with Circle K, Mariposa and Colfax, management and District 3 DPD to clean up and make the area safer for everyone. Illegal encampment residents broke into and inhabited car wash, continually broke store plate glass windows, graffiti, trash, drug use, drug dealing, etc. Store was losing $50,000 every 70 days to shoplifting. Suggested CPTED report which was completed – lighting added, shrubs trimmed, etc. Area now safer for customers and students.
The Good Neighbor Committee negotiated and entered into three more Good Neighbor Agreements for a total of 11.
UpDoNA Cares Committee formed strategic partnership with Urban Peak.
Hosted meeting with DA John Walsh and outgoing DA Beth McCann at One Lincoln Park.
Meetings throughout year with DPD, DEDO, City Council, Department of Safety, Police Advisory Board, DAP, DDP, DDP Safety, RTD, Denver Department of Safety, District Attorneys’ Office, etc.
Hosted meeting at Spire with DDP/City Planning representatives re proposed plans for Glenarm Plaza.
Scheduled a meeting with City Planning and Permitting to discuss permitting issues and delays being experienced by Upper Downtown businesses. Spoke with several Upper Downtown business owners and invited them to attend – Bombshells and Troy Guard business representatives attended. Follow up with businesses indicated that they were helped by City Planning/Permitting and the process was moving smoothly.
Arts & Beautification Committee awarded $25,000 in grant money from Mayor Johnston’s Dynamic Denver Grant Program. Used some of those funds to commission a mural on the Cherry Creek Trail. Partnered with Parks and Rec.
Additional grant money used in commissioning a Denver Sister Cities showing all ten Denver Sister Cities. Partnered with DSCI. Asked to attend Block Opening Celebration. Very successful activation with singers, dangers, and performers representing Sister Cities. Sign will be placed on stage at Glenarm Plaza with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
Asked to testify before City Council in support of the DDDA expansion.
Partnered with Park and Rec to revitalize the Welton Pocket Park. Turning a neglected parcel into a beautiful pocket park with rock path, indigenous trees and plants. Plans being made to work with the Butterfly Pavilion and the Expeditionary School for pollination studies.
Recommended that former Skyline Park 1 police kiosk be reopened. Members reporting about Skyline Park’s issues, e.g., drug use, trash, illegal camping, has led to temporary soccer fields being installed this summer.
Coordinated a meeting with UpDoNA members on February 3rd with DPD and Mayoral Rep to discuss downtown safety and lack of police presence. Meeting led to additional resources for downtown.
Represent Upper Downtown residents and businesses by participating on the Downtown Area Plan Advisory Board. Letter sent to the DDDA Board with a wish list for Upper Downtown to ensure that the DDDA board is aware of needs.
Asked to testify before Landmark Preservation Commission in support of Civic Center Park changes. Landmark Preservation Commission
Successful member email campaign to address City Council’s proposed legislation allowing unlimited needle exchange sites and removing 1,000 feet restriction from schools. Mayor vetoed.
Scooter Committee’s work with CM Hinds’ and DOTI on scooter/pedestrian interactions led to CM Hinds’ successful Scooter Legislation.
Reviewed Text Amendment Bundle and made recommendations.
Held Meet and Greet for business members hosted at and by Colorado Credit Union.
Partnered with Parks and Rec to produce flyers and signs re pet owner responsibilities.
Asked to participate in DDP’ Summer Kickoff Weekend Celebration, 5/31 and 6/1.
Asked to testify before Planning Board in rezoning of Home2 Suites and Business Member Aloft Hotel in support of rezoning into Theater District.
Clean Upper Downtown Committee had 12 Saturday morning cleanups collecting approximately 300 bags of trash from our neighborhood streets.
Membership increase: 11 new business members and 30 new resident members
Email Campaign – Chief Deputy of Staff for Mayor request for UpDoNA member email campaign re Denver Budget Shortfall – pubic safety.
Received a $3,000 grant from Pacific Premier Trust Grant for Welton Pocket Park
Worked with Home2 Suites owner on completion of the 15th and Stout Street planters.
