Denver Direct: 2015
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Saturday, December 26, 2015
HORSE PROPERTY – by TOM ANTHONY
Although the horse and buggy went out of vogue somewhere around 1904 apparently the city planners decided that not only did Denver voters need to fork over $2 billion to revitalize the industry, but “horse and cow central” needed to butt up to the RTD transit stop in case the horses needed to hop the light rail to Mineral Avenue.
Strangely, these same planners felt apartments, grocery stores and restaurants ought to be near the stops at Broadway Marketplace, Dartmouth, Evans, Belleview and so on, but apparently those types of arrangements have become too “pedestrian.” What was needed in north Denver had to be more “equestrian.” Consequently, although keeping a horse in the city limits is against the law, perhaps it’s time to adjust the zoning ordinances for the north neighborhoods to accommodate the new lifestyle which will soon supplant the past 30 years of being in “limbo.” It’s time to make Globeville and Elyria “horse property.”
How does one accomplish this in an urban environment? Well, for one thing, you’ve got to outlaw cars. Tear up the pavement for a nice clay surface. This can be done while they’re tearing out I-70. Take out about 90% of the single family homes and build mid-rise housing, thus leaving enough open ground for fields of hay, watering troughs, and stables. Make sure all arrivals and departures are either by light rail or bicycle; once people are here they can tap into the “uber-horse-force” and simply swipe their credit card through the saddle horn and hop aboard.
For a very good reason the planners did not include any new schools. Children in these neighborhoods won’t have to learn factoring and spelling, they can become cowboys and of course, cowgirls. This new fusion of country in the city will produce steer wrestlers, bronc busters, calf ropers, barrel racers and the like, to compete in the huge new exhibition centers. For those who can’t break into the big money purses, they can drive forklifts in the new “Crossroads Center” in Globeville, which is close enough to canter to. They won’t have to own cars; they can either get on the light rail or fork a pony and point him up the nearest trail.
As to grocery stores, everyone knows horse manure is the perfect medium for growing all sorts of healthy vegetables, which can be done hydroponically inside your mid-rise buildings in the hallways and such, even the bedrooms. The marijuana growers have tons of technicians to help you get the LED lights just right and the mixture at the perfect fertilizer blend, and thus eliminate the middle man. Since the “governance” of this new district is still being arranged by secret meetings at city hall, once everyone’s agreed who’s going to run things they can appoint building captains and stable boys and so on to keep it all running in tip top shape. In fact, it will be the most exciting place to live for quite a distance.
Friday, December 4, 2015
Petition for certiorari filed in the Colorado Supreme Court on October 28, 2015.
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Saturday, September 26, 2015
Unhappy Parks - Opinion by Phil Goodstein, the Naysayer, October 2015 Edition
Thursday, September 17, 2015
An Appropriate Memorial - Opinion by Phil Goodstein
For years,
She won the seat of Caldwell–Trimble–Davis– Wedgeworth in 2007. The white victor was something of a darkhorse against the black establishment candidate, Sharon Bailey—the latter ran a hideously bad campaign. Despite suffering from cancer,
Friday, September 4, 2015
Controversial land swap of Hampden Heights North Park land to Denver Public Schools
The matter of what attorney John Case contends is the city's illegal taking of 11.5 acres of Hampden Heights North (Hentzell) Park is now in the hands of the Corardo Court of Appeals. Case has been fighting the legal battle pro bono for nearly three years.
Here are two reports from courtroom observers, plus the actual courtroom video. The video doesn't actually start until 24 minutes into the "broadcast." Use the slider to advance the time. A reporter for the daily publication attended the oral argument hearing Tuesday (9/1), but nothing had been printed by Thursday afternoon.
Report #1
A citizens' group on Tuesday brought a long-term solution before the Colorado Court of Appeals for a controversial land swap of Hampden Heights North Park land to Denver Public Schools. The group has argued the deal originated by the city of Denver without a vote of the people, in violation of the city charter.
"The elephant in the room is that the school district built the school with this case pending," said John Case, pro bono attorney for the nonprofit Friends of Denver Parks. "This case may set a precedent for the city to do this over and over again."
The school opened for the first time last week. Part of the group's argument is that it was being built in the Cherry Creek floodplain.
Case asked the three-judge panel to reverse the decision and remand the case to the lower court. If the court agrees, once the useful life of the school ends, in 20 or 30 years, the land would revert back to open space. Denver Public Schools would in effect lease the property until that point.
City of Denver attorney David Broadwell said the group never proved that the land was operated as a park before 1955, the year designated in a 1996 law. It was operated as a park in the 1960s and later. He made a distinction between designated parks and non designated parks.
Case said the intent to use the land as park to connect parkland in Denver to the west dated back to 1936.
The court will announce its decision later.
Following the hearing, group spokesperson Renee Lewis feared that city park land would be in jeopardy should the group lose the case. Sixty percent of the park land in the city has been considered non-designated by the city of Denver.
Report #2
John Case did a great job. He was articulate and forceful. He had the first say, and started with Section 2.4.5 of the city charter. If it was used as a park prior to 12-31-55, a park was a "common law" park even if it was never "designated" as a park. Then there's the question of the meaning of "designate", with an ordinary meaning of "denote" or "show". The word is apparently not defined in the charter. Of course, this is important because park land can't be sold without a vote of the people.
Then there's a fascinating issue of "designate" versus "dedicate". A street or alley can be "dedicated" by council resolution and doesn't require an ordinance. Hentzell Park was not dedicated by ordinance, but was included in parks maps, and an expert witness testified that it was used as a park.
David Broadwell for the city argued that it's only a park if it's so identified in the deed, in the plat, or by ordinance and that mere use as a park is not enough. Judge Rothenberg asked him about the parks commission's annual reports in which the city repeatedly listed it as a park. He responded that there was no evidence of pre-1955 use as a park.
Then Broadwell dived into the 2010 zoning ordinances, the 1983 OSA zoning for the park , the ripple effect if no OSA land could be sold, and finally his big point: THE SCHOOL HAS ALREADY BEEN BUILT AND IN FACT IS IN SESSION!
Case had the last word. He responded that in the McIntyre case, park land had been illegally sold. There, the parties worked out a settlement involving a long-term lease. Case also refuted the lack of pre-1955 park use, citing a December '55 deed connecting the "park" to a highway.
That was a lot of talking in a half hour.
Saturday, August 29, 2015
LET'S FOLLOW THIS CLOSELY - REPORT YOUR INFO IN THE COMMENTS
VIA DAVE FELICE; From: Wittern, Matt <Matt.Wittern@denverwater.org>
http://www.denverwater.org
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
YORK ST APARTMENT PROJECT BEGINS
The proposed construction of 180 apartment units at 17th and York has begun with the demolition of the existing buildings. This assemblage has been in the making for the last 20 years and may serve to ease the current apartment shortage
Former filling station at 17th and York |
See "before" photos here.
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
CENTRAL DENVER RECREATION CENTER BECOMING A REALITY
First artist's rendering of new rec center that I've seen. Let's not name it after anyone. CENRAL DENVER REC CENTER SOUNDS GOOD. Go here for more info. |
Thursday, July 23, 2015
I WALK COLFAX
"I Walk Colfax" fundraising gala and video contest
Details
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Thu, Jul 30, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
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Sie FilmCenterSie FilmCenter, East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
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What if Denver’s premier main street, Colfax Avenue, was a pedestrian paradise?
WalkDenver couldn’t think of a better place to launch our Fundraising Gala than Colfax Avenue. WalkDenver’s People on Colfax Initiative celebrates the “longest wickedest street in America” and its revitalization by partnering with Colfax friends and neighbors to ensure pedestrians are a top priority.
Come join us at our “I Walk Colfax” event for an evening of food, drinks, contests and fun.
Help us raise funds to make Colfax a premier pedestrian corridor and Denver a more walkable city by buying your tickets today at www.walkdenver.org! Your ticket includes:
* 2 drink tickets
* Tasty appetizers
* I Walk Colfax video contest awards (visit www.walkdenver.org for more information)
* Prizes
* Opportunity to learn more about how to make Denver a more walkable city and connect with like-minded individuals
* Raising funds for a good cause
* And more…Help sponsor I Walk Colfax! Contact Frank Locantore at frank.locantore@walkdenver.org.
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Posted by Jill Locantore6d ago to City Park West + 10 neighborhoods ·
Monday, July 20, 2015
The Devil Burns, God Recycles - Dr. Connett in Denver
https://zerowastedenver.wordpress.com/2015/07/18/paul-connett-talk-in-denver/
Ford Warren Branch, Denver Public Library
6:00 -8:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 30, 2015
2825 High Street, Denver CO 80205
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Denver’s Vanishing Sense of Place- From Larry Anbrose, President of INC - July 2015
Saturday, May 30, 2015
National Stroke Awareness Month - Stroke prevention starts with you
Personal note by Gerald Trumbule
National Stroke Awareness Month - Stroke prevention starts with you
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Monday, April 20, 2015
Zoo's renovation plans by Bridget Walsh
Dear Council Members, April 20, 2015
on the Zoo's renovation plans on hold until there has been adequate time for meaningful citizen input.
Broker Associate/ Owner
720.440.3562
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