Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer | District 5
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Dear Neighbors,
Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed a safe and happy holiday season, and that your 2020 is off to a great start!
While the City offices were fairly quiet over the holidays, there was one big event that caught everyone by surprise when a County judge ruled that Denver's urban camping ban was unconstitutional. After temporarily pausing enforcement of that law to review the legal issues, our City Attorney's Office has appealed that ruling and will begin enforcing the urban camping ban again this week. Our office has heard from many of you, on both sides of this issue, over the past few weeks.
I know that there are a lot of concerns about our homeless population and questions about what the City is doing to help provide support. We at the District 5 office share those concerns. The Mayor's Office has put forward a package of almost $7 million in new funding to provide wraparound supportive services and turn our shelter system into a 24 hour system. This is an exciting advancement, but it isn't enough. We have a lot of work to do to provide better housing alternatives for Denver residents. That said, I truly believe that allowing people to sleep on the streets is not the solution to our housing crisis.
There are a number of City ordinances that apply to everyone using our public spaces and the legality of these laws is not in question. For example, park curfews remain in place and signs and structures cannot impede the public right of way. Please call 3-1-1 or use
pocketgov.org
to report any concerns in our community. If you need housing assistance, please call the Mile High United Way's helpline via 2-1-1, or access
denvergov.org/homelesshelp
for a list of homeless shelters and services. If you would like to support our homeless community, consider donating time, household items, clothing or funds. You can find more information on places to donate or provide a donation at
denvergov.org/give
.
Wishing you all a very safe and happy 2020!
Gratefully,
Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer
Denver City Council, District 5
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Meet with Amanda to discuss the issues that are on your mind!
The Councilwoman holds office hours in the community on Thursdays at locations throughout the district. She will meet by appointment only for the first hour and then is available for drop-in discussions during the second hour.
January 16 at Windsor Gardens
All Purpose Room
Private appointments available from 10am-11am
RTD Representative, Kate Williams, available from 11am-12pm
January 23 at Quince Essential Coffee
10am-noon
Private appointments available from 10am-11am
January 30 at Istanbul Café and Bakery
10am-noon
Private appointments available from 10am-11am
February at Copper Door Coffee Roasters
10am-noon
Private appointments available from 10am-11am
February 14 at Windsor Gardens
All Purpose Room
Private appointments available from 10am-11am
February 20
No Office Hours this week.
February 27 at The Game Lounge
10am-noon
5pm - 7pm
Councilwoman Sawyer will meet with neighbors and
be available for drop-in discussions during both hours.
No private appointments are available for this event.
Please contact the office at
[email protected]
or 720-337-5555 to set up an appointment or just stop by during the second hour. If you're unable to make any of these times, please contact our office to schedule an appointment at another time.
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Street Sweeping Sign Installation Continues in Mayfair
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Prior to Councilwoman Sawyer's time in office, the District 5 Council office, in conjunction with Denver Public Works and Mayfair Neighbors Inc., determined that several areas of Mayfair were missing street sweeping signs and instituted a plan to replace them accordingly. Street sweeping sign installation in the first section of the neighborhood was completed in early 2019.
Please be aware that sign installation for Areas 2 & 3 (see map below) of the Mayfair neighborhood will begin soon, with the project completed by April 2020 in time for the start of street sweeping season. We have provided a map for your reference.
Posted street sweeping helps clear vehicles from streets to allow Denver Public Works to have a higher quality "sweep" which plays a critical environmental role in keeping Denver’s streets, air and water clean. Sweeping also aids in keeping storm drains clear, reducing the need for costly maintenance. Thank you for your patience and understanding as this project continues.
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Lucky's Market No Longer Going into Boulevard One
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Last week the District 5 office received official word that Lucky's Market will not be taking space at Boulevard One in Lowry.
Confidential negotiations are currently underway with another grocer for the space, according to Andy Boian with Dovetail Solutions which represents the developer, Confluent. He noted that none of the other tenants planned for Boulevard One are contingent upon Lucky's Market's tenancy. Our office will keep you posted as we learn more about this developing situation.
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Mothers’ Milk Bank Baby Café Opening at the Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center
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The Baby Café
is a safe and cozy place where new and expecting parents can gather to support one another on their breastfeeding journey while receiving guidance and tips from a breastfeeding specialist.The free group, open to all, will be held weekly and provides a place where moms (and dads) can drop in to receive free professional breastfeeding support from a certified lactation consultant, get questions answered and socialize with other parents in a child-friendly, comfortable space. Free weight checks for babies will also be offered.
Baby Café will take place every Wednesday from 10-11am.
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Mercy Housing Plans to Renovate the Grace Apartments in East Colfax
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Our office has learned that Mercy Housing is planing to renovate the Grace Apartment Complex located at 8888 E. 13th Ave and 1255 N. Yosemite in East Colfax later this year. This is not a redevelopment of the property, it is a plan to renovate the existing units on the property.
Mercy is in process of holding community meetings with residents to explain the process, temporary relocation rights and overall logistics of doing an occupied rehab. We have been told that most residents will be temporary relocated on-site for two-three weeks while their unit is being renovated. Several households may need to be relocated out of the building temporarily. Mercy will pay any rent differential for this relocation, and has told us that they also intend to pay for any associated moving expenses for this temporary relocation under the Uniform Relocation Act.
Representatives from Mercy Housing will be updating the community at the East Colfax Neighborhood Association meeting on Tuesday, January 21 at Counterpath,
7935 E. 14th Ave
. Please attend this meeting to learn more information.
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Update on Property at 50 South Colorado Boulevard
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This property is privately owned and set to be redeveloped into townhouses; however, the redevelopment cannot occur because Verizon Wireless holds a valid lease for a cell tower in the church.
Although that lease could continue thru 2023, Verizon is working to secure an alternate location. In the meantime, the property owner has taken steps to ensure the safety of the community and the neighborhood by limiting access to the site.
The Denver Police Department is aware of the community’s concerns and taking steps to help maintain the safety and security of the property. If you see anyone at this location, please call 911 and report it immediately. Our office will keep you posted as the situation moves towards resolution.
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Questions About Hilltop Historic Conservation Overlay
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Our office has received a number of questions regarding a property on Grape Street between 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue in Hilltop that has been split into 2 properties.
This property does not fall into the Hilltop Historic Conservation Overlay District that prohibits lot splitting, and fits the size requirements that allow the lot to be split into two lots under the City’s current zoning code. As a result, the City’s Community Planning & Development Department granted the property owner’s request to split this lot into two separate lots.
As it was a “use-by-right” situation, our office and the surrounding neighborhood associations were not notified of this decision.
We have included a map of the Hilltop Historic Conservation Overlay District here (outlined in purple) so you can see which blocks are included in the District. We hope you find this information helpful. Please don’t hesitate to contact our office or the
Cranmer Park - Hilltop Civic Association
with any further questions.
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Upcoming Improvements to Montclair Park
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Montclair Park improvements include replacing the existing asphalt tennis court with a post-tensioned concrete court, with new fencing and access walks. It will also reconstruct two existing horseshoe pits and include adjacent site furnishings, picnic area access and landscaping for this neighborhood park.
Design improvements are under way and public surveys will be compiled into early 2020 to help refine the plans. We will pass along the survey to our residents when we receive it from Parks and Rec. The project is anticipated to be completed in 2021.
This upgrades are funded through the Elevate Denver Bond Program, approved by voters in 2017 to enhance mobility, safety, and quality of life across Denver.
For more information or questions please contact DPR Project Manager:
Chris Schooler
or call 720-913-0619.
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FREE Radon Home Test Kits
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As part of Radon Action Month, the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) is encouraging residents to test their homes for the cancer-causing gas with a
free radon test kit
.
The kits must be picked up in-person at the Denver Post building at
101 W. Colfax Ave
. Call 3-1-1 to schedule an appointment to pick-up your kit.
Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. It creeps through cracks of a home’s foundation with potentially deadly results. Every year, about 500 Coloradans die from lung cancer after long-term exposure to radon. About 21,000 people die nationally.
DDPHE has about 700 do-it-yourself kits available on a first-come, first-served basis. Radon kits are also available at hardware stores for around $25. DDPHE recommends testing your home every two to three years.
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Get FREE Tax Preparation Help with the Denver Asset Building Coalition and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
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DABC's mission is "To provide free tax preparation, financial education and financial services through accessible sites in metro Denver to help the underserved build their future and become economically stable"
DABC is partnering with the VITA grant program - an IRS initiative designed to support free tax preparation service for the under-served - to operate
free financial and tax preparation sites
in Metro Denver from the last week of January through October every year
This service helps low- to moderate-income individuals, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speakers file their taxes each year.
Click
HERE
for more information.
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Neighborhood Watch District 3 Annual Strategic Meeting
January 16, 6:00-7:00 pm
Pizza & refreshments will be served!
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Virginia Avenue Bike Lane Open House
January 21, 7:15 pm
Provide input on a new bike lane planned for East Virginia Avenue, from South Jersey Street to South Quebec Street.
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Mothers’ Milk Bank's Baby Cafe Ribbon Cutting
February 5, 10:00-12:00 pm
The Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center (JCC),
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24th Annual JCC Mizel Arts and Culture Center’s Denver Jewish Film Festival
February 5-19
The Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center (JCC),
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Memory Cafe - Art of Jazz with Swallow Hill
January 28, 1:30-3:00 pm
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We've got Shopping Bags for You!
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In an effort to help support you and keep your costs low during the transition to disposable bag fees, I will be distributing reusable bags at community meetings.
If you are hosting an event and would like some to hand out, please
contact my office
! Let us know how many you would like and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
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Current District 5 Rezoning Requests
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There are no open re-zoning requests in District 5 at this time.
For more information on proposed rezonings in Denver, click
HERE
.
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District 5 Neighborhood Organizations
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Denver is a unique city in promoting greater citizen involvement through organized neighborhood associations. Currently, there are 78 statistical areas represented by more than 200 registered neighborhood organizations (RNOs), Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and Homeowner Associations (HOAs).
In its defined geographic area, an RNO will normally address neighborhood quality of life issues, such as traffic, development and zoning, crime, communication, and licensing, and promote social activities to enhance residential spirit, developing a sense of community, and encourage resident participation. RNOs meet regularly and many send out newsletters to keep residents informed on neighborhood issues and events.
Get more involved in your community by joining your Registered Neighborhood Organization (RNO). Below are a list of Council District 5 community community organizations. You can also find out which RNO you belong to by clicking
HERE
and entering your address or selecting a location on the map.
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