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NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS & VIEWS
Neighborhood News & Views will return next month
UNIVERSITY PARK NEWS & VIEWS
by Diana Helper
Quick reminder that the UPark School’s Home Tour is May 4, 11a.m.–5p.m., get maps and tickets at the school, 2300 S. St. Paul, and go ogle some handsome houses. While you’re at the school, take a look around back at the Peace Garden and the new Veggie Garden. UP School is gung ho for healthy kids and a peaceable kingdom. If you miss the Tour, call the office at 303-756-9407 to offer this great school some always-appreciated assistance, or to help with the garden.
Major Reminder that the UP Community Council Spring Meeting is May 7 at UP school, featuring Councilman Charlie Brown, Iliff School of Theology Pres. Dr. David Trickett, upcoming new UP School Principal Dana Williams and PTA Pres. Terri Allsup, zoning updates on plans including Asbury Green and 2100-block S. University and proposed landmark apt., election of officers, and your chance to bring questions and comments about the neighborhood. Refreshments and gabfest at 6:30, meeting at 7p.m. (The next general meeting isn’t until October, so hie thee to this one!) For more info, contact Pres. Bill_Winn@msn.com, or 303-691-8703.
Construction continues to boom in UP, we are so Popular. When all the arrangements are made in June, the fraternity house on the SW corner of Asbury/Columbine will be razed and the building of Asbury Green will really zoom along. The plans for a 7-story apartment a half-block away at 1911-45 S. Josephine are underway. It will share that little dogleg alley with 11-story Vista Lofts and everyone else along there, beep beep. We’re told V.Lofts apparently can add that tall antenna? to its roof. Also in the planning stage is a major redevelopment for the SE corner of Evans/University, extending south partway down S. University, which will be discussed at the May 8 UPCC meeting and is described in the April UP-words newsletter. The Landmark Preservation Commission public hearing on the Art Deco four-family flat at 2142 S. University is scheduled May 20.
“Paired homes” (“duplex” is so outré) are abuilding on Columbine between Buch-tel and Evans, and a lot of For Rent signs are sprouting as DU heads for summer break. Farther down University, Scholar’s Walk is coming along. As for businesses, the ex-Albertsons site has a winner with the new grocery/Vitamin Cottage, and more shops are rising along Buchtel. A tiny new shop has appeared on University next to Spicy Pickle, but we think not related (not Mild Piccalilli). Jordan’s is up and running at Evans/Univ. and we hear the food is good and they will turn down the music if you ask.
Across S. Colorado Blvd. at the light rail station area “wedge,” the General Development Plan recommends some 1500 residential units (1.6 million square feet), 4 million square feet of office, retail and commercial, development, and, oh yes, 145,000 square feet of open space which will be mostly “urban plaza space and an active streetscape environment.” Good thing UP has four parks handy.
UP’s parks are busy with folks of all ages enjoying them, and some (other) wild life running about. Jill Coffman and Lesley Roper of Parks/Rec are keeping an eye on the five fox kits and their very protective mom (prairie residents) and plan some protective cover for the den area later this summer. We have Jill to thank for arranging repair of the broken brickwork at the Observatory Park restroom. We learned that it is on the Park Dept’s list of historic structures, so when they do an upgrade there (and at McWilliams Park) next year, they’ll preserve its exterior. We’re pondering ways to add benches and art to parks. The Obs. Park playing field and garden is getting lots of TLC, and most game permits have been pulled. Astronomy Day/Star-Gazing night at the Observatory is 5/10. Info: 303-871-5172.
The BBC (Buchtel Blvd. Coalition) will likely meet May 21, but arrangements have not been settled just yet. Those of you on the big list will get notified. Traffic and landscape matters remain top priorities.
Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation, of which UPCC is an active member, is working on ways to work effectively with the city, and addressing zoning, safety, traffic and other matters that affect neighborhoods throughout Denver. INC delegates meet the second Saturday morning of each month, and the zoning committee meets the fourth Saturday (except this month, May 17). We must correct our April item on ticketed events in parks – INC Zoning/Planning members discussed this topic but did not take a stand for or against.
INC and UP School come together every September when all third graders (in EVERY Denver Public School) receive a free dictionary and thesaurus thanks to INC’s “Dollar Dictionary” program. For some children these are their first “own” books. It’s thrilling to hand out the books and see the excitement, and the immediate use of these books as the third graders discover wonderful words. Now in its 13th year, this project needs your help – dictionaries and thesauruses are now $3.00! You may help fund this project with contributions to INC Dollar Dictionary Drive, P.O. Box 18347, Denver, CO 80218.
Getting back to UP School, on May 4, besides the house tour fund-raiser, there’s the 8a.m. Niketown race/fundraiser. May 9 is the annual Shakespeare Festival downtown, with UP students performing from 10-2:30. DPS Science Fair is May 10 (held at Merrill Middle School). May 13 is Field Day at UP. May 15-22 is Scholastic Book Fair from 11-1 & 3-5, and the last PTA meeting of the year at 6:30p.m. May 23 is Yearbook Signing from 3:15-3:45, and school is Out on May 29, 11:45a.m. – but all summer, families will be gardening and socializing there!
Winners! The CAPE (Colo. Assn. of Partners in Education) group winner this year is DU Pioneers Partners/ Community Study Hall Program at University Park Elementary School (DU Tutors). Congratulations! This is a great tutoring program for UP School and for DU students.
A Survey about neighborhood/city relationships has been conducted by maestro Profile publisher Paul Kashmann. The UPCC board commented, compiled and composed its replies. We’re sure many other neighborhoods did likewise. It’ll be interesting to read the results.
Relationships are best when communication is open, views are respected, common ground is earnestly sought, and goals are in sight. Denver’s neighborhoods are one of its prime assets, so let’s hope everyone agrees that perpetuating their character, beauty, and livability are major goals for the neighborhoods and for the city.
If you have news or views of UP, please contact Diana Helper, 303-733-4902 or chapinhelper@aol.com.
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