Dear Neighbors,

The Near South East Area Plan Draft Plan is here. If you have not reviewed the draft plan and shared your thoughts, I encourage your to do so in the next couple of weeks. It's a big document with a lot of detail. To make it easier, Community Planning and Development and our office will be sending a series of email updates over the next two weeks on key topics. Each update will include information on what is in the plan and direct links to comment on the document.

The second topic is street safety. Please head below to learn more! If you missed the first topic, land use recommendations, you can read our newsletter on it here!

As always, let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or if there is anything we can do to be of assistance.

Gratefully,

Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer

District 5

Street Safety in the Near Southeast Area Plan

How does draft plan improve street safety? Take a look at ideas street by street and tell us what you think.

Many residents have spoken up about street safety and getting around more easily in conversations with city planners. In response, the draft plan recommends taking specific steps on several major streets and intersections in Near Southeast.

At the intersection of Evans Avenue and Holly Street, the plan recommends:

An enhanced transit shelter
Directional pedestrian ramp to make it easier to roll from the street to the sidewalk and back
Added landscaping
Widened sidewalks

On South Colorado Boulevard and Leetsdale Drive and others:

Improved, separated sidewalks
Intersection improvements for safer crossings for those walking, rolling or biking
Street improvements and signage to encourage safer speed limits for cars

On East Yale Avenue:

Enhance the connection to the Highline Canal at South Glencoe and South Grape
Prioritize maintenance and encourage snow removal in the winter
Install a protected bike lane from Colorado to Holly and a bike lane from Holly to Quebec

Comment on street safety recommendations

These are just some of the recommendations in the draft plan, based on community feedback about mobility. Other street improvements in the plan include South Monaco, East Alameda, Cherry Creek Drive and more.

All the ways you can Review and Comment on the Draft Plan

Along with land use and housing, the draft Near Southeast Area Plan covers a number of topics that community members were important. The draft aims to provide a long-term vision for the area through the following goals:

Modernize centers and corridors in terms of land use, design, and mobility
Balance housing affordability, options, and preservation in neighborhoods
Improve sustainability through mobility, infrastructure, and greenery

Comment directly on the draft plan document

Download the full draft plan PDF

Download the executive summary

Submit general comments and questions

About The Near Southeast Area Plan

The Near Southeast Area Plan includes the neighborhoods of Washington Virginia Vale, Virginia Village, Indian Creek, Goldsmith and the area of University Hills north of Yale Avenue. The area includes a variety of housing types, significant commercial corridors - including Colorado Boulevard and Leetsdale Drive, and amenities like sections of the Cherry Creek Greenway and the Highline Canal. Several major redevelopment projects in the area have highlighted the need to work with the community to update outdated neighborhood plans or provide planning guidance in areas where a neighborhood plan does not exist. As part of the Neighborhood Planning Initiative, this project is intended to provide an opportunity to create a long-term vision for these neighborhoods that advances citywide goals and priorities while addressing local neighborhood needs.

Click Here to Visit The Near Southeast Area Plan Website

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