⛳ Still up for debate: Park Hill Golf Course
BY PEYTON GARCIA | @CITYCASTDENVER
PHGC: THE SAGA CONTINUES
Ah, the Park Hill Golf Course. The bane of my City Cast newsletter writing career thus far. We talked about it all last year leading up to the election, and what we learned then is that this development project is controversial, political, deep-seated, and REALLY confusing.
Just tuning in?
Get some background context by listening to Part 1 and Part 2 of our Park Hill Golf Course two-episode explainer from last year. You can also read Denver Business Journal’s coverage for the most recent updates.
Where we are with the issue right now:
A steering committee is currently considering two proposals for the future of the golf course. The selected proposal will eventually be turned into an area plan that will require approval from the public and the Planning Board before landing in front of City Council.
While there were two competing ballot initiatives addressing the park’s fate last election, voters ultimately passed Ordinance 301. This means City Council would need to change the property’s zoning and easement designations to move forward with redevelopment.
The dueling proposals currently in question:
Turns out, the two plans aren’t very different at all. Both versions include mixed-use/residential space and a regional park. The main difference is where those features fall on the map.
Which plan do you like best?
A) The plan on the left
B) The plan on the right
C) I’d prefer we never talk about this damn golf course again
Basic key:
Light orange = mixed use / residential
Dark orange = mixed use / commercial
Dark green = regional park
DIGGING DEEPER INTO LA ALMA-LINCOLN PARK 🌳
“They just kept talking about gentrification … the changing dynamics and demographics of their neighborhood, and sort of feeling cast out in what used to be their community.” — Elizabeth Hernandez
A Shooting. A Neighborhood Divided. What’s Next for La Alma-Lincoln Park?
Last month, Gary Arellano was shot and killed in La Alma-Lincoln Park. In response, the city fenced off the park to the community in an effort to curb violence … and this isn’t the first time. So today on the show, we talk with Denver Post reporter Elizabeth Hernandez to dig deeper into what’s going on in this rapidly gentrifying part of the city.
Psst! Did you know City Cast is a network? We’re already in five other major cities, AND we’re getting ready for takeoff in Boise, DC, Philadelphia, Portland, and Madison! Love what you get here? Tell your friends that they can get awesome, can’t-miss content about their cities, too! Plus, check out all the new positions we’re hiring for.
MORE NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW
🏠 ADUs for everyone! OK, maybe not everyone (yet), but three more Denver neighborhoods — Villa Park, Barnum, and Barnum West — were approved for rezoning to allow accessory dwelling units (aka, mother-in-law suites, granny flats, or carriage houses) on homeowners’ properties. [Denverite]
- 🔎 Why does it matter? It’s one of the only affordable options left in a city facing a serious housing crisis. Take a closer look at the issue through this story we told last summer about a Denver couple fighting to build an ADU in order to make a home for a disabled parent.
🏫 The state has lost all faith the Adams 14: After nine years of producing low achievement scores, the State Board of Education gave the Adams 14 school district one last chance to propose a promising turnaround plan before drastic measures were considered. But a Tuesday night hearing on the matter left board members unimpressed. The board voted 4-3 to reorganize the district, which strips Adams 14 of its accreditation and autonomy, and could result in its consolidation with another district or even complete dissolution. [CPR; Chalkbeat]
🗳️ Did you also delete that email from BallotTrax? I did. But apparently it was legit — Oops. Turns out, BallotTrax is Denver county’s new election notification system. Even though BallotTrax is based in Denver, and other Colorado counties and other states have been using the system since 2020, this will be Denver’s first time giving it a whirl. So dig that email out of your trash folder, and learn more 👉 [Denverite]
WHAT’S YOUR HOT TAKE? 🔥
Denver’s general outdoorsy motif has always meant that our local fashion norms are supportive of yoga pants and hiking boots no matter where you are or what you’re doing — Happy hour with friends? Running errands? Sure, why not! Even in Denver’s hipper work spaces, it’s OK if you look like you are about to go on / just finished a hike.
But in my experience, people either love it … or hate it. Personally, now that I work from home most days, you’ll be lucky to find me in “hard pants” (aka jeans) these days, no matter where I am.
What do YOU think? Reply to this email with your spiciest Colorado attire takes, and I might share them right here in this newsletter!
