• Anytime on the porch at 1352 Cherry St.  or 1127 Adams St.

However, this is not over. We must demand the right development for our community. Unfortunately, the developer wants to move forward with his plan including big box retail. We plan to send a survey to gather feedback from the neighborhoods about what type of development you would like to see at 9th and Colorado. This survey will be critical as we work to influence the developer (Fuqua), the City and CU on a plan that works for the surrounding neighborhood and is truly beneficial for all of East Denver.

We mentioned in last week’s newsletter, Stop Walmart Colorado has changed names to Do it Right at 9th. Our new name represents what we are- a group of neighbors that have come together to push for responsible, sustainable development on the old CU Health Sciences Center. We hope to see real placemaking here instead of a bunch of chain stores.

Please stay tuned. Do it Right at 9th will be your hub for engagement in the redevelopment of 9th and Colorado. Please keep your yard signs in the ground until we have future direction from Fuqua and CU about the next steps. Showing your support through yard signs and your continued engagement is critical for the right development on this prime piece of real estate.

Again, thank you for making this victory possible!

Cheers,

The Do it Right at 9th Team!

“By a unanimous vote of a quorum at its September meeting, the Board of Governors of Greater Park Hill Community Inc. (GPHC) formally opposes Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for the current proposed development at 9th and Colorado Boulevard by Fuqua Development, LLC.

The GPHC Board held its monthly meeting on Thursday, September 6, at the Greater Park Hill offices at 2823 Fairfax, Denver, Colorado 80220. The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. and adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

The vote was to approve a motion for a GPHC position statement on Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Twelve Board members present, constituting a quorum, unanimously approved that GPHC would take a position of OPPOSITION to Tax Increment Financing for the project which Fuqua Development currently proposes for the site formerly occupied by the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.

The Greater Park Hill Community Inc. strongly opposes the use of TIF for the current plans by Fuqua Development LLC and strongly encourages City Council to vote against TIF for the current plans by Fuqua Development LLC for the redevelopment at 9th and Colorado Boulevard.”

Dear CBHD Board Members and Guests:

Based on Councilwomen Susman and Robb’s statement that they will not support TIF for infrastructure costs for the currently proposed redevelopment plan of the former University of Colorado Health Sciences site at 9th and Colorado Blvd., we have decided to cancel the October 4th meeting of the Colorado Blvd. Healthcare District, pending more information from the Developer.

The meeting’s intent was for public comment on the plan in front of the Board, but since that plan included a request for DURA financing as part of its approval, and with the unlikely success of a City Council vote on the same, and lacking a modified proposal from the Developer, the reason to meet becomes moot.

The next scheduled meeting after October 4th, is to be held on November 1st. Please watch your emails as to the status of that meeting as well.

Thank you for your interest and continued participation in the CBHD meetings. We will keep you fully informed about any new information or updated plans we receive about the development.

Mary Nell Wolff, Chair
Colorado Blvd. Healthcare District Board

Contact:  Dominic DelPapa, 303-888-8556 or ddp@ikuestrategies.com

Denver, CO – September 21, 2012 – The developer of the site on the former University of Colorado Health Sciences Center campus announced today that he is evaluating financial restricting of the site.

The current General Development Plan approved by the Denver Planning Commission and the Colorado Boulevard Health District neighborhood organization has been presented to hundreds of neighbors at nearly a dozen public meetings over the last several months.  It provides for a new urban town center of green space, restored historical buildings and a diverse mix of large format stores and local retailers.  The plan has also spurred neighborhood concerns over the inclusion of a next generation Walmart store as one of the anchor retailers.

“We have a number of options available to reconfigure the financial structure and composition of the development plan,” said Jeff Fuqua, CEO of Fuqua Development.  “The current design plan gives the neighbors and the whole city of Denver a vibrant retail and community gathering space that will generate millions in sales tax revenues, and as such we want to build that plan.”

The options for restructuring include finding a more creative and innovative financial structure. Fuqua’s basic commitment to a vibrant, community-centered and financially viable development plan remains and the company fully intends to proceed with the development.

“From the beginning we have taken the input of neighbors and community leaders seriously and worked to build a development that the entire city can be proud of,” said Fuqua.  “Our commitment has been to build a new-urban development that is not only the best in metro Denver but among the best in the nation.  That is our plan moving forward and we welcome the opportunity to continue collaborating with City Council, Mayor Hancock and the community to make it happen.”

September 21, 2012

COUNCILWOMEN SUSMAN AND ROBB OPPOSE TIF FOR CURRENT 9TH AND COLORADO DEVELOPMENT

(DENVER) Councilwoman Mary Beth Susman and Councilwoman Jeanne Robb announced today that they will not support tax increment financing for the redevelopment as currently proposed at 9th and Colorado by Fuqua Development. The Councilwomen’s joint statement follows:

“We respect the hard work of the Colorado Boulevard Health Care District (CBHCD), the City’s Department of Community Planning & Development (CPD), the Denver Urban Renewal Authority (DURA), and the developer to facilitate the redevelopment of this key site. We also want to thank our constituents for all the ideas and input.

Plans for redevelopment of the former Health Sciences Center site owned by the University of Colorado (CU) have been in progress since 2003. In that time, different developers offered site plans that evolved with the developer and the economy. The initial balanced, mixed-use project became more retail-oriented through the years. The proposed insertion of Wal-Mart as anchor tenant created a tipping point for new scrutiny of the project that needs a greater mix of uses if it is to generate increases in retail sales for the area. We are concerned that the project as proposed is more likely to draw from other retail in the area, thus not producing a true tax increment.

Our constituents have made their concerns about the current proposal known, and we respect their views.

We intend to continue working with our communities CU, this developer or a future developer, the CBHCD, and the City administration to find a viable alternative.”

Two meetings for interested people to learn more, network, get involved, and block this Walmart!

below is the notice sent along fr

Bellevue-Hale Neighborhood Association, Tuesday, Aug 28th, 7-8:30 PM

Walmart is the antithesis  of our beliefs. We don’t believe that the city should help subsidize the largest retailer in the world.  It’s predatory business practices, unethical and often illegal employee relations, bullying tactics towards its vendors and negative impact on surrounding property are just some of the reasons we are willing to give up so much of our time and devote our energy to fighting this development.  If you agree, join us and help fight this newest form of urban blight. Email today and we’ll put you to work tomorrow.

[contact-form subject="I want to help" to="letsstopwalmart@gmail.com"] [contact-field label="Your Name" type="name" required="true" /] [contact-field label="Your Email" type="email" required="true" /] [contact-field label="Comment" type="textarea" required="true" /] [/contact-form]

The Seventh Avenue Neighborhood Association will hold a special meeting on Thursday, September 27, to discuss the latest development proposal for the former University Hospital campus site at East 9th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 600 Elizabeth Street.

A development proposal before the city calls for a Wal-Mart at the site, along with other retail, office and rental apartments.

The necessary zoning for the project is already in place. However, the developer is also asking the city for tax subsidies through tax-increment financing, which will require approval by the City Council. Input from SANA and other area neighborhood associations will be an important part of the council’s review process.

Representatives of the developer, Atlanta-based Fuqua Development, and Wal-Mart will be present at the meeting and provide an overview of the project. Following their presentations there will be an opportunity for residents to ask questions and provide input.

We urge all neighborhood residents to attend the meeting. SANA’s official position at the project will be determined by a vote of those in attendance.