Below are the direct notes from the Stapleton United Neighbors (“SUN”) meeting for September 2016. If you want to check SUN out in person you are always welcome, here is the SUN website.
SUN Block Captain/Outreach Meeting 9/20/2016. 6:30pm-7:25 Central Park Rec Center Multipurpose Room
Denver Police/Safety, commander Ron Thomas.
· New CRO introduced: Officer Marika Putnam,marika.putnam@
· Our other CRO is Officer Sherikera Heflin Herrera, [email protected] (720-913-1417). Officer Herrera will return after completing additional training (where she is currently).
· Lt Ian Culverhouse (replacement for Lt Wykoff) gave report on Community Statistics (all crime reports are a 28-day rolling period)
o Theft from motor vehicles, up 16% but down year to date.
o Burglaries down in last 28 days but up year to date
o Property crime down
o Summer months comparison of 2016 to 2015:
§ Overall crime decreased 20% this summer
§ 15% decrease in violent crime
§ Larson and theft are 40%
o The issue has been raised to convert 29th ave from Quebec to Rosyln: making it a pedestrian-only area.
· Increased presence during drop-off has been noticed by parents of elementary school kids particularly at Swigert.
The I-70 reconfiguration team
· Where? I-70, 12 miles between I-25 and Tower Road
· Why?
o Today: 1,200 businesses employing 22,000 people, Up to 200,000 vehicles traveling daily, 10 hours of congestion per day
o 2035 projections: Population grow by 42%, Employment increase 58%, Build out of major corridor projects: National Western Center, Gaylord, Stapleton, Aerotropolis, Traffic increase to up to 270,000 vehicles daily, Congestion increase to 12 hours (half the day) without I-70 improvements
· What? Phase 1: One additional Express Lane in each direction (similar to US 36 and North I-25 between US 36 and 120th Avenue), Removing the 50-year-old viaduct and lowering the interstate, Constructing new 4-acre cover over the interstate
· When (timeline)
o Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) draft 2014, final 2016, record of Decision 2017
o Project Delivery: request for Qualifications March 2015, Draft request for proposals Sept 2015-Fall 2016, Final request for proposals Spring 2017, Developer selection Summer 2018.
o Start Construction: 2018, 4-5 year duration
· How?
o Current number of through lanes must be maintained during construction
o Will coordinate closures/detours with other roadway projects in the area to avoid conflicts
o Limited number of weekend and evening closures permitted
o Construction will be done in phases, Developer will determine details of phases
o Contract requires two meetings with business community prior to construction start
o Advanced notice of closures and detours will be provided through all communication channels
o Fixed and variable message signage on the highway with notifications
· Note: rerouting traffic up 270 and back down 76 and taking away the interstate function of I-70 as some have proposed would increase traffic on non-interstate roads in north Denver by 50% or more.
Mark Shaker at Stanley Marketplace
· Location of Stanley Marketplace: Boarders Stapleton/Westerly Creek, 26thAve, and Dallas Street in Aurora
· Timeline: launched 3 years ago speaking at a SUN meeting at Bill Roberts, when the flightline team was planning a beer hall. A series of inspections will begin immediately, with businesses opening end of September/Early October, mid-October another wave (including Sweet Cow and the beer hall), Final openings around Thanksgiving.
· Partnering with community: bridging Stapleton and Aurora. Arts festival last weekend, Jobs fair this coming weekend (25 businesses on-site recruiting employees: restaurants, retail, hair salon staff, etc).
· Question: will there be a baker? Answer: yes. Fresh Bread bakery, doughnut shop, Chocolate/pastry chef, more.
· Concerns/proactive steps to avoid sound issues in surrounding community:
o Beeler Street Neighbors across Westerly Creek neighbors have provided input
o noise curfew for outdoor music: 8pm
o Stage configuration will point sound towards the building.
o An event center is indoors
o Evergreens are being planted to act as a sound and visual buffer
o All restaurants with outdoor-dining patios must face any outdoor speakers towards the building and not into the field
o Neighbors on all 4 sides have had opportunities to give input. Stanley team has made efforts to be proactive and responsive.
Other Announcements:
· Punchbowl is moving forward again and yesterday announced that a groundbreaking occurred earlier this week.
· Stapleton Open Studios http://www.stapletonarts.com/
o September 24-25, 11am-5pm.
o 4th annual self-guided tour of artists’ home studios in the Stapleton area. Demonstrations, work in progress, finished art pieces. Free.
o Pick up a map from: abode and Co (next to Macy’s) 8210 Northfield Blvd suite 1250
6th annual Stapleton Community Food Drive, October 1-10, 2016 http://www.stapletonfooddrive.
o Timeline:
§ September 30th – Barrel drop-off: The schools and other drop-off locations that accepted to receive donations will receive Food Drive barrels
§ October 1st – 1st Day of the Drive: Volunteers will be dropping the donation bags to 7,500 homes in Stapleton and surroundings communities.
§ October 8th – Bags Pick-up: Food Drive Volunteers will go pick the bags filled and left in the front of the homes in Stapleton.
§ October 10th: Barrel Pick-up
o Volunteers will be delivering collection bags to every front porch in Stapleton on Saturday, October 1st, and collecting those donation bags the following Saturday, October 8th. In additional collection barrels will be located at most neighborhood schools and over a dozen local businesses. The 4th tab on the Stapleton Food Drive website is “How to Volunteer” where volunteers can sign up. we need volunteers to help deliver collection bags on Saturday, Oct 1 from 9-12 and collect the bags on Saturday, Oct 8th from 9-12. The starting point will be 10515 E 40th Ave #113 Denver 80239 (corner of Havana and 40th Ave)
o Last year, we collected enough food and money donations for 31,656 meals.
o The Drive is hosted by New Perspective Real Estate (www.npreco.com) to benefit the Food Bank of the Rockies (www.foodbankrockies.org) and neighborhood school pantries. This charity event is a registered 501c3.
