January 29, 2009 - Minutes from CNA Meeting

Kevin Wong, of the Denver Police Department, spoke to the group about a survey of residents in the Cole and Whittier neighborhoods concerning crime and nuisances and the police department’s responsiveness to them. The team is nearing the end of its data collection phase; surveys will be collected into early February. Mr. Wong distributed surveys to all in attendance and asked that the extras be given to other residents who were unable to attend the meeting.

Pamela Wridt, from the University of Colorado Denver’s department of planning and design, introduced to the group herself and a team of students who are interested in working with CNA on neighborhood planning in conjunction with upcoming development for RTD’s commuter rail stop at 38th Avenue and Blake Street. The students are part of an upper-level graduate course and are seeking real-world experience to supplement their academic studies in urban planning and community development.

The students’ project has yet to be defined, but they are open to suggestions from Cole residents about how they should go about their work and what their focus areas should be. Overall, the group’s goal is to help make Cole a more cohesive neighborhood, with connections between all forms of transportation, solid business development, and attention to the needs of various groups – determined by age, lifestyle, occupation, etc.

CNA members recommended that the team review planning documents for the previously proposed station at 40th/40th, saying that much of the information would be duplicable. CNA members further suggested to the group that they reach out to leaders at churches, schools and area recreation centers to augment their research. Any questions or suggestions for the group can be sent to CNA, which will then be forwarded to the professor and students.

Additional updates about plans for the Bo Matthews Center redevelopment were not available at the time of the meeting. A task force of representatives from the surrounding neighborhood groups – Cole, Whittier, and Curtis Park – has been formed to work on a good neighbor agreement (GNA) to present to the Bo Matthews Center for consideration. City of Denver officials will also remain involved in the process.

The director of the St. Charles Recreation Center spoke to the group about the City of Denver’s plans for the future of recreation centers across the city, with specific attention to that of St. Charles in the northwest corner of Cole. St. Charles is currently listed as “transitional,” meaning it is up for consideration by the city to be leased to a private group for future operations.

The director, along with Cole residents, discussed the importance of St. Charles Recreation Center for the youth in the community. It is unclear if or when bids from private organizations will be reviewed for potentially operating St. Charles. The director plans to meet with City Councilwoman Carla Madison during the first week of February to discuss the situation.

In the meantime, residents are encouraged to share their opinions/concerns/suggestions for the future of Denver Parks and Recreation, with specific attention to St. Charles, by attending community feedback meetings (listed below), reaching out to Councilwoman Carla Madison, sharing comments on the Parks and Rec Web site, or contacting directly Lorrie Kosinski at 720.913.8487 or lorrie.kosinski@denvergov.org.

Community Meetings
Feb. 3, 7-8:30 p.m. – Martin Luther King at 3880 Newport St.
Feb. 4, 7-8:30 p.m. – East High School at 1600 City Park Esplanade (Cafeteria)
Feb. 5, 7-8:30 p.m. – Swansea at 2650 E. 49th Ave.
Feb. 10, 7-8:30 p.m. – Harvard Gulch at 550 E. Iliff Ave.
Feb. 11, 7-8:30 p.m. – Barnum at 360 Hooker St.

The economic development committee reported completion of its project to contact all Cole business owners to notify them of resources available through the neighborhood association and begin discussing opportunities for partnerships. A second round of contacts will soon commence to begin discussion for partnership opportunities between the neighborhood association and area businesses. The group also discussed ways to provide positive reinforcement to businesses that keep up with maintenance of their properties.

Ashleigh Weatherill, current president of the neighborhood association, will attend a preliminary meeting in February to discuss the Welton Marketplace Initiative. The Initiative exists to gather public opinions about the needs and opportunities for Welton Street, between 20th and 30th Streets. Anyone else interested in attending the meeting should send an e-mail to CNA. Space is limited for neighborhood representatives, but there is a possibility that more people can attend.

Jules Kelty reported on progress with a petition to attract Sunflower Market to the Cole neighborhood. Several other area neighborhoods have started distributing the petition to their members, and the online petition continues. A meeting is planned with an employee of Sunflower Market to gain information about the appropriate way to reach out to the company once the petition process is complete. It was stated that it would be helpful to know how many signatures would be needed for the petition to be taken seriously; a goal of this kind could also help with outreach. The group also discussed ways to contact owners of properties where a new grocery store could potentially be placed.

The beautification committee reported that it is coordinating efforts for a Denver Digs Trees planting event in the spring. A representative of the committee will attend an upcoming meeting to learn more about the guidelines for participating in the program and will report back to the group. Individual applications for trees should be submitted by the middle of March.

A Yard of the Month contest will begin in May, with the goals of encouraging homeowners to care for their properties and fostering pride in the neighborhood. Members volunteered to reach out to Home Depot, Paulino Gardens and City Floral to explore opportunities for prizes and sponsorship.

The next neighborhood clean-up will happen in conjunction with a similar event being planned by St. Charles Recreation Center to involve youth in Cole. The beautification committee will coordinate with the Rec Center to determine the date, time and goals for the clean-up.

Signs are currently being made to call out the boundaries of Cole neighborhood. The signs will be green and will read, “Welcome to the Cole Neighborhood.”

The next meeting of the Cole Neighborhood Association will be Feb. 26, from 6-7:30 p.m., at Wyatt-Edison Charter School. Nominations and elections for 2009 officers and committee chairpersons will take place.