Adopts the Elyria and Swansea Neighborhoods Plan as a part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. (NEIGHBORHOODS AND PLANNING) Adopts the Elyria and Swansea Neighborhoods Plan as a part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The Committee approved filing this bill at its meeting on 2-4-15.
We have 11 eyes council bill 57 has been amended. The winner. A courtesy public hearing for counsel. Bill 57 is open. Maybe we have a staff report. Good evening, Madam President. Members of city council. I'm Brad Buchanan. I'm the director executive director in community planning and development. I'm just going to make a couple of introductory comments to our are courtesy public hearing this evening about the various one see a plan and I really by by way of background and sort of perspective about what we're doing tonight. You know, every neighborhood plan that we work on is so critically important to our city and they are all transformational. And in some ways they're all the same. They have very much similar pieces and parts to them, but they're all radically different from each other, as different as each of those neighborhoods that those plans seek to represent and envision their future. And as we were talking about this particular plan, I really I felt that I wanted to give a couple of shout outs to the process and to some folks who have had some really important roles in this process. And I'll start with a letter that is was written by Councilwoman Monteiro in November of 2012 to Mayor Hancock calling out the the number of important planning efforts that were going on in and around. Gloria Swanson. I'll just quickly read through them. The Globeville Neighborhood Plan. There is Swansea, a neighborhood plan, the river North Plan River, North Greenway Master Plan 41st and Fox Stationary Plan, a national Western Stock Show Stationary Plan, The Brighton Boulevard Core Study 38th and Blake Station plan and the Heron Pond Natural Area Plan. There was a huge amount of planning going on in an area that had been underserved for so long, and Councilman Monteiro called that to all of our attention, our city's attention, and out of that vision and her stewardship to the area, a whole bunch of amazing things came out of that. And, and we truly have a whole greater than the sum of its parts. And that's what's so amazing and fantastic about this planning effort is the result is a place and a vision, a vision, excuse me, greater than the sum of its parts. Some of the innovations that came out of this process that I think have been so important, the North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative, which directly came from Councilman Monteiro, is pointing out that we had a lot of cat herding in the planning perspective to get done. And in our real our first significant health impact assessment that was done as part of our planning process and considered through how we really could answer the question How do we create a healthy community? In Elyria, Swansea Council, Monteiro brought forward a focus and a perspective and a prioritization around the history and the culture of the neighborhood that really has been. She has been the steadfast holder of that space through our entire planning process. And I think we it's it our planners have been made better for our planning process has been made better for it. She also led the global area Swansea, a housing advisory council which led to Urban Land Conservancy purchasing 4800 Race Street, which is going to be a significantly transformational site for the neighborhood and and a number of projects through sort of neighborhood revitalization projects, bike lanes on 45th and 47th walking path in Argo Park that's just under construction now, just broke ground recently and is under construction now. We're just getting started and there is a ton of work to get done and the visioning part is just the first important but first part. Now we move towards implementation in the years of implementation that we're going to need to to make this vision a reality. But I know that we we know that we came into this process with the right vision, with commitment. And I believe this the plan is of, by and for the neighborhood, truly a vision of the neighborhood that that our planners have had the privilege of helping to document and facilitate. But again, there is much, much work to be done. And we'll be talking about some of that tonight as well. I'm now going to introduce Tim Watkins and Steve Nally, our planners who have been who have been working on the plan for quite some time now. Thanks. Good evening and thank you, Brad, for the introduction. Steve Now I know we've had the opportunity to represent community planning and development as project managers of the Illyria and Swansea Neighborhoods Planning Process over the past two years. The opportunity to work with community members in a very collaborative process, and we're pleased to present to you this evening the results of that process in the plan for your consideration this evening. The O'Leary and Swansea neighborhoods are located in North Denver, just a few miles from downtown Denver, along what Mayor Hancock has identified as a corridor of opportunity between downtown and Denver International Airport. The planning study area is bounded by the South Platte River to the west, where Illyria and Globeville. Neighborhoods. Me to the north is 54th Avenue, the shared county boundary of the Adams County. To the east is Colorado Boulevard. South is 40th Avenue, and there are three planned commuter rail stations that will serve the neighborhoods in the next few years, including the National Western Center Station area, the 40th and Colorado station area, which includes portions of the Northeast, Park Hill and Clayton neighborhoods and southwest Elyria, extends into the area covered by the adopted 38th and Blake Station area plan. Recognizing significant public investments coming to Elyria, Swansea, Globeville and the River North neighborhoods. The North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative was established to coordinate six major projects. These projects have been carefully considered and coordinated with the neighborhood planning process, including for commuter rail stations along three corridors that extend from downtown Seattle's I-70 reconstruction project. The city's redesign and reconstruction of Brighton Boulevard improvements to the River North Area, National Western Center Master Planning and Redevelopment and the Globeville and Elyria Swansea plans. At key points during the concurrent planning efforts, joint meetings were held between the Illyria, Swansea and Globeville neighborhoods. This led to a lined neighborhood vision's at the river boundary and served to inform the National Western Center planning process, which provides greater detail for a year round entertainment, cultural and educational complex. The Globeville Plan was adopted in December 2014. Gloria Swanson Neighborhood Plans is presented to you for consider for potential adoption this evening, and the National Western Center Master Plan will be presented for potential adoption on March 9th. This neighborhood planning process is built on community input collected through numerous public meetings and through extended public outreach. We are grateful to residents and business representatives that served on a neighborhood steering committee and for the collaboration with Council District nine, North Denver, Cornerstone Collaborative and other partner agencies and community organizations that helped us to engage numerous English and Spanish speaking resident participants. When asked what they like about living in Illyria. In Swansea, residents highlighted schools, parks, recreation centers. The library and churches as places to gather. To recreate. Socialize and learn. They also like the. Lower cost of housing in the area and appreciate unique historic sites such as the National Western Center and the Riverside. Cemetery. When asked what would make the neighborhoods a better place to live and work, we heard concerns related to crossing conflicts along active railways that extend throughout the neighborhoods. Air quality and noise impacts from major highways, including I-70, Vasquez and Colorado boulevards. And impacts such as odors, noise and wayward truck traffic to the core residential area from surrounding industrial uses. Most of the desired improvements that we heard relate to connectivity, including safety concerns and the lack of convenience in getting around. There have also been repeated concerns or fears that displacement will result from raising property taxes and rents. Other issues identified include missing or aging infrastructure such as sidewalks, unpaved alleys, dimly lit streets, unimproved bus stops and stormwater that pulls along streets and alleys. There is also a desire to see vacant and underutilized property converted to desired services such as groceries, banking and health clinics. This could help to add safety to areas where unsupervised, underutilized properties can attract illicit activity and even crime and property vandalism. However, such services require a neighborhood population greater than the current population of 6500 residents. Community input has been categorized under four guiding principles as the organizing structure for this plan. They include a unique, strong, connected and healthy Illyria in Swansea. These sections describe issues and opportunities and provide recommendations and strategies that imply throughout the study area. There are also six character area sections that provide more area specific recommendations, including transformative projects. Transformative projects are necessary to implement to achieve the full vision spelled out in this plan. The unique section of the plan looks at building on the history, defining culture and social structure, and embracing an enterprising economy by attracting cleaner and more job rich industries. It also explores placemaking opportunities as new and public private investments are made in the community. In the strong section, the Future Land Use Map encourages a well organized relationship of diverse land uses for improved quality of life and economic vitality. Key land use concepts include transit oriented development near three rail stations. Industrial mixed use areas that encourage lighter and cleaner employment. Uses that could create a buffer between residential areas and surrounding heavy, heavier industrial uses. The Single-Family duplex area is intended to preserve the existing character and scale of the residential area while allowing for modest infill and redevelopment or excuse me, modest infill and reinvestment. Make that correction mixed uses at key locations. Could accommodate neighborhood services and additional residents, and a town center could be oriented around a potential second cover over I-70 closed still Vasquez Interchange. The plan also provides urban design strategies, including a building heights map that recommends appropriate transitions from lower scale residential to higher density uses near the rail stations. The established single family duplex areas are limited to two and a half stories, with adjacent mixed use and employment areas stepping up to three stories closer to the rail stations. The recommended heights transition from 3 to 5 and eight stories to encourage transit oriented development. The area in southwest, O'Leary is shown at eight stories with an asterisks which suggests that up to 12 stories could be explored in strategic location locations throughout excuse me, exploring strategic locations through discussion and collaboration with the community and applicable neighborhood organizations. Building heights in this location and at the location near the National Western Center were the topic of a supplemental public meeting. Held is one of the conditions for planning board. Approval of this plan. The strong section also provides storm drainage and water quality strategies, such as intercepting regional stormwater flows to protect the neighborhood from urban flooding. This would also protect future investments, such as a lowered I-70 freeway and the National Western Center complex. Additionally, new development could introduce green streets that filter pollutants from storm runoff and create an attractive and attractive amenity as part of a. Walkable urban. Environment. The community would like to see improvements to existing parks and recreation facilities and to safely access them with enhanced sidewalks and bicycle routes. New open space areas are also recommended along the South Platte River. And clauses throughout the future. National Western Center Complex. Other opportunities include the proposed cover. Over 70 next to this. Once here, there's the Arrow's Swansea Elementary School and shared use of the open space of Bruce Randolph School near 40th and Colorado. To address the concern of displacement. The strong section refers to the Denver housing plan and encourages partnership partnerships to create affordable and mixed use housing, especially near transit. There's also an opportunity to explore replacement of housing that is being acquired for the I-70 reconstruction project. Housing strategies also refer to rehabilitation and energy saving programs that could benefit residents. Another strategy focused on focuses on local job training that could be coordinated and aligned between residents and businesses to be recruited in the neighborhood. And Education Strategies Encourage Coordination with Denver Public Schools. School readiness programs for children and adults. Training programs including food growing and health and wellness training opportunities. There is a potential synergy to be achieved with current programs offered by Focus Points Resource Center in the neighborhood, the Grow House and the emerging partnership between the National Western Center. Colorado State University. The Denver Museum of Nature and Science and History, Colorado. Thanks Tim. Good evening. I am Steve Nally with Community Planning and Development Co Project Manager with him on the O'Leary's. What's your plan? And I'm going to cover the Connected chapter, which is the next guiding principle. The plan recommends improvements for several rail and street crossing conflicts, including an outdated York Brighton Boulevard underpass that prohibits trucks from passing north into Adams County. You can see it's pictured in the top right and it seems that it has been struck a few times by trucks. It is it is getting bigger over time, but it does need to be expanded in the future. 47th in York, where pedestrians, cars and trucks are held up multiple times each day due to train stacking and loading operations. And then the inactive market rail underpass, which creates a 25 foot deep channel that impedes access to future 40th and Colorado stations pictured in the bottom right. This is the multi-modal connectivity map, which provides multiple recommendations for improved neighborhood connectivity, including new streets and pedestrian connections to the river and to Globeville through and along the future. National Western Center redevelopment area. Also North-South connections over the future. I-70 Partial cover lowered alternative to make multimodal connections more convenient a frontage road system along 46th Avenue and I-70 that balances vehicular traffic with surrounding land uses and then last zero potential for new streets to be built into d redevelopment areas for improved connectivity. The plan also recommended recommends improving truck route system to better serve industrial areas and keep trucks out of residential areas. One example is an extension of 52nd Avenue from Colorado Boulevard to Brighton and York Street, which could provide truck access. 825 Adams County to the Northwest and Colorado to the east. This could help to reduce the truck demand onto Brighton and York Street to the south. This is the missing sidewalks map. You can see the the red on the map indicates the sidewalk is missing. One of the greatest needs identified by the community was to improve neighborhood walkability by adding more sidewalks. Missing sidewalks, again shown in red. And some of the key areas are along 40th Avenue, near Bruce Randolph School and around Dunham Park indicated by the Arrows. The plan does prioritize sidewalk improvements near the rail stations along 40th Avenue, around Dunton Park and Brighton Boulevard. Also, the plan recommends pedestrian priority intersections identified for potential crosswalks and pedestrian activated signals. More arrows. All right. The bike network there today. There are only sound bike routes in the neighborhood. There are no actual facilities in the street. So a number of of bike facilities are recommended to connect residents to the neighborhood amenities such as parks and schools. Some streets, such as Clayton and Cook Street, require further study and neighborhood input. Bike route recommendations in this plan fit within the greater bike route system and do tie in to the citywide team. Removed bike and pedestrian plan. This map highlights today's ten minute walk around three future rail stations in the neighborhood based on the existing street network doesn't necessarily mean there are sidewalks on these streets to get to the station, but just there. But there are streets in place. With all of the recommendations recommended in the plan and strategies recommended in the plan, the potential expanded ten minute walk highlighted in red could result from from building these new streets. As you can see, a lot more area in close proximity to the station stations. The next guiding principle is the healthy chapter. The healthy guiding principle, as Brad mentioned, health impact assessment, or HIPAA was completed for Globeville, Illyria and Swansea. It was conducted by the Department of Environmental Health as part of the neighborhood planning process. The recommendations are summarized in a healthy section and cross-referenced throughout the plan to highlight the relationship between the built environment, physical activity and health. Some of the recommendations within that section two examples here are breaking up the large blocks with new connections to create shorter trips and more walkable urban environment, and also to increase tree canopy cover and open space areas with new development. These maps show that Illyria in Swansea has larger than average block sizes surrounding the residential area due to large industrial uses of railways and highways and that less than average tree canopy cover compared to the other neighborhoods in the city, as indicated on the map below. All right. So those are the guiding principles moving into the six character areas. There are six in the plan, starting with the National Western Center and station area. There's also the 30th and Blake Station area, the 40th and Colorado station area as the traditional residential area, kind of reflecting where most of the homes are today. And then the industrial area, the sixth is the I-70 reconstruction area that kind of spans across multiple character areas within the plan. So starting with the residential character area, the the plan details how residents could benefit economically from modest infill development next to existing single family homes and duplexes. Tandem houses, for example. And the ones pictured in the graphics could be built behind a street fronting residents and either sold or rented out ten of houses and other building forms. Under two and a half. Stories could help to bring investment and stability to residential areas and help to bring more residents and increase the demand for neighborhood services. The transformative project within the traditional residential area is to study east west connectivity north of I-70 up to 49th, including the 47th and York interchange. You can see there's a resident waiting to continue with her evening, but there's a train in the way and she has no other option of getting east or west. Also, key recommendations from this within the traditional residential area and then also in the industrial area is to improve the relationship between industrial and residential uses. The graphic on top kind of transitions from residential to light industrial flex to heavy industrial. Also on the bottom of this slide, there are recommendations in the plan to show possible landscaping and streetscape improvements that could soften the abrupt transition where residential and industrial uses are likely to remain in place. Moving to the I-70 reconstruction character area, the plan provides detailed recommendations for see, that's I-70, a partial cover lowered alternative. There have been a number of a lot of discussion about I-70, as it is a very major project taking place in the neighborhood through multiple meetings. One example of something beneficial that came out of the meeting was, as you can see, the image on the left of the slide is the proposed cover at Swansea Elementary School and the initial. There was a there's a street or frontage road in between Swansea Elementary and the cover through. A lot of discussion. The frontage road was removed in a later alternative, creating a combined facility for Swansea Elementary School. And that and that cover. Also, here's an image of our view of the Swansea cover looking south along the frontage road where mixed use redevelopment could bring housing a neighborhood around around the cover to create a neighborhood center with increased activity and extra eyes on the cover for added safety. Here's an example of an another strategy for improving the PCL to encourage creativity and in the freeway sound walls. And the plan really tries to inspire thought and creativity and not just thinking of our typical concrete walls, but getting creative and mitigating noise. The plan also recommends a second cover at Steel Vasquez. This cover is different than the cover proposed at Swansea Elementary School. The Swansea Elementary School cover is intended to be an asset for recreation, a playground for the school and more of a park Parklife Park like feature. The second cover is quite visionary and is a long term idea where the cover itself will, where it's adjacent to fairly large parcels, could be a catalyst for redevelopment around the Steel and Vasquez interchange on large parcels of land. This cover needs a lot more discussion with the community and and how it could be implemented. It's currently not funded as part of the set out project. The next character area is the National Western Center and Station area. You all have been briefed many times on the the pending National Western Center masterplan. This plan recommends land use for the entire station area and focuses more on the station area part of National Western. In addition to the new street connections, the three National Western, there are also a number of new connections, such as 49th Avenue at the DPS site and then future Brighton Boulevard, north of I-70. Here is a glimpse of the masterplan. The response to your plan recommendations are reflected in this detailed National Western Center masterplan. There are new streets and pedestrian connections between Elyria and Globeville, including a new national western drive, a street that was named Betty Kram. Drive through that process, Betty Graham is here tonight. The concept shows over 46 acres of open space and public plaza that could be used by visitors and by the community. The next character area is the 40th in Colorado station area coming in 2016. All right. Got to the ready, Grant. The 49 Colorado station is the second stop along the east corridor between downtown Indiana and is due to open again in next year. This time next year, potentially planning recommendations for improved connectivity. Connectivity are a priority in 2015, and funding is being identified to make sidewalk improvements to the station platform by opening day. The vision for this station area is to provide workforce housing and lighter, cleaner mixed use industrial jobs to complement the varied stations between downtown Indiana. The station area planning also looks south of 40th Avenue, where possible new 39th Avenue Green Street is recommended. And that's picture on the slide to improve storm drainage and connectivity along an unused rail line. Here's a graphic of the existing condition for the unused rail line known as the market lead. It does create a 25 foot deep underpass or channel that prevents access to access for residents to the west to get east to the future rail station. The plan recommends acquiring the market lead, filling the underpass channel, potentially using the dirt from I-70, heading workforce housing and a pocket park to create a successful transition from the lower scale residential to the west to the hired inner city transit oriented development area to the east and closer to the station. The final character area is the 38th and Blake Station, the Elyria. In Swansea, a Plan City area extends into the adopted 38th and Blake Station area plan so that the 38th Blake Plan was adopted in 2009. Delirious wants to plan updates, future land use and building height recommendations of that plan, but only within a year in Swansea . A. All other recommendations in the 30th and Blake Stationery plan are reinforced by the Illyria and Swansea a plan. So the moving forward sections broken down into implementation priorities. The first is related to regulatory and policy, which encourages a focus on rezoning of land to improve residential and industrial edges and to focus on improving connectivity and safety . Public investment is the next category of priorities, which focuses on leveraging major projects as well as street, alley, sidewalk and lighting improvements and pursuing the acquisition of the BNSF market lead for connectivity and redevelopment. The last implementation priority or partnerships? The plan does encourage residents to form a one or many registered neighborhood organizations and to work with partners such as in DCC, DMR Police Neighborhood Inspection Services for improved neighborhood conditions. It also recommends working with affordable and mixed income housing to developers, focusing on economic development initiatives and coordinating job training opportunities. I went to a planning board on January 7th where we had our public meeting. The public at that meeting requested more time to review the plan following the holiday season. So the hearing was continued to January 21st. Prior to the 21st meeting, we had an additional public meeting to work through. Comments and questions on the plan. We held that meeting on the 12th will an additional meeting on the 16th to discuss the plan with Swansea School parents at the January 21st meeting. The plan edits were proposed based on the public meetings we held. Prior public testimony was generally supportive. There was one unresolved issue and that was building heights near to rail stations. So the planning board voted to approve by unanimous vote based on their criteria, which is to find that the plan is consistent with other plans, that it was an inclusive public process and takes a long term view. And then the conditions were to incorporate the edits that were presented to them that day, to add edited for clarity and correctness, and then also to incorporate the groups, incorporate the changes from the public meetings that were the public meeting that was held to discuss building heights. So with that stuff recommends adoption of the Elyria and Swansea Neighborhoods Plan as a supplement to the Denver plan. There's one more thing I'd like to add. Just after the close of recess, two additional members of the community arrived and would like to speak. One of them was in Elizabeth, one of the most devoted members of all of the planning efforts and globally responsive. The other is at Bell so property owner and 40th in Colorado station area. If you see fit to allow them to speak they would greatly appreciate that opportunity. Madam Secretary, how do we handle that? I guess that your your your call. But you have 19 speakers so far so and if you limit it to our you. I don't. They may or may not. Okay. So this is in our courtesy public hearing. And I'll I'll take comments from other members of council if you want to weigh in on this. Oh, okay. So what I what I propose is that the other 19 speakers are allowed to go ahead of you. And depending on how much time we have within the hour, we can certainly try to fit the two speakers and I'll keep that fine with everybody. Yes, right. All right. As we said earlier, we have 19 speakers, possibly 19, 20, 21 speakers. So what I would like to do at this point is invite the first five speakers up to the front and they are as follows. Jude, Dr. Thomas Anthony. Chad Ramirez. Brenda Vasquez and and Hayes. Through Dutcher. Welcome. Good evening. My name is Drew Dutcher. I have lived. At 4653 High Street in Elyria since buying a home there in 2007, about going on eight years. I have actively participated in this planning process, and I'm also a member of. The National Western Citizens Advisory Committee, and I was the Elyria. Representative on the I-70 East Pact between 2010 and 2012. Without going into a lot of details, I very enthusiastically support this plan. I think it's long overdue, but I feel that this this at last. This area, this city is finally getting the attention it deserves. I thank the planning department and Tim and Steve. They've done a fantastic job on this plan. I think it points positively into the future and it shows great promise. The plan. Embeds various public works projects that are sorely needed but are. Not yet funded. I feel that whenever we talk about Clarion Swansea though. We have to talk about the elephant in the room and that elephant is the planned widening of Interstate 70 through these neighborhoods. While the partially covered, lowered alternative. Is infinitely better than widening. The existing elevated viaduct, there's still too many unanswered questions to really for these residents, most of my neighbors to really support the I-70 plan. Just quickly, there's not evidence really that this widening is justified to ten lanes. It's based on a ten year old study. We still have not really gotten a health study performed that's required under NEPA. Many residents have expressed concern that this may possibly violate the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Would this project be forced on wealthier, nonwhite communities? Last Thursday, the Transportation Commission endorsed the design build, finance, operate, maintain mechanism. This basically turns the project over to a private consortium. What we are concerned about is that how will any of the promises made to Elyria, Swansea residents regarding mitigation ever be kept under this financing mechanism? Do these neighborhoods assume all the risks and all the downsides. In this. Venture? All other parties profit from widening I-70. The local businesses, the National Western Rhino Taxi. The city and county of Denver. The airport and the region as a whole. How will residents of Elyria, Swansea endure this construction? Are we displaced? For how long? What about the contamination and pollution during construction? DUTCHER Here, 3 minutes is up. Okay. There are many questions that need to be answered before we can. We can back this. Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is Mr. Anthony. Madam Chairwoman and members of the council. I'm Tom Anthony. I had some written testimony I was going to hand in and jotted down some thoughts during the previous presentation. I've lived in 5001 National Western Drive for 17 years with my two little youngest boys, were born there in home births, and I won the Neighborhood Star Award in 2010 for my auntie and was honored with my for forming my group clean it that got the the Shattuck chemical site cleaned up down in 1805 South Beneke from Overland and West University neighborhoods back in 2004. I am. Helped finance and develop the Illyria Neighborhood Vision Plan in 2006 that showed I-70 below grade for the first time, identified the site at 28th and Brighton for the art to the North Metro line and put in a bridge across the globe below 50th and Emerson how elements that have been adopted in the city's planning process. But the city's planning process has also been flawed. I'm currently exchanging motions with young Nathan Lucero, who was testifying earlier as to whether or not I wind up getting to stay in my house or not. Mr. Anthony, can you please stick to the. Yes. Well, our neighborhood doesn't have a neighborhood group because our neighborhood leaders get targeted by the city and retaliated against for bringing up things and issues that. They happen to disagree with. Have a seat or not. Mr. Anthony, please have a seat. Thank you. Our next speaker is Chad Ramirez. But typically at Swansea. Harris. You can start again. Thank you. So I was going to say that I'm really not for that I 70 deal at all but so on then the other thing is that connector the gentleman was talking about sending 52nd Avenue westbound from Vasquez. I don't know. You guys are probably had your mom tell you to stay on the block when you're riding your bike. So a lot of kids right in that area over there. And there's a lot of kids. There's a park on 52nd Avenue. Years ago, we fought long and hard to keep the trucks out of the neighborhood. And this would just be a thoroughfare for the trucks to go. So I don't think that's a good idea in the plan. I think a lot of it is all right. But I also think in that closing, Josephine, that's another thing that they're talking about. And we really don't think that closing General Josephine Street would be very good. They'd rather be counterproductive. And it actually would probably close a corridor of opportunity for locals. And then the bikeable and walkable area is a good idea. You know, if because right now we don't really have access to the light rail station, there are quite a ways, quite a ways away. And so what I'd like to see in the plan is some of this ground work take off for the area. Residents. As far as the sidewalks and the bikeable ways to get to the light rail stations as far as a RTD just really blew by us, you know, closed off. And the opportunity, our corridor of opportunity by not putting a light rail station at Clayton or Steel Street. So it's going to be tough to get over to those stations. So and then the other thing is when we're still somewhat of a rural area in the neighborhood and you guys have made a distinction between the neighborhoods and the commerce, the areas of commerce. So I want you to remember that. And everybody remember that that we are a neighborhood, we're a residential area. There were our homes are and yeah, we're still kind of in a rural area and we kind of like that. Our lots might be big and we like that. We appreciate our property rights and we hope everybody will respect that. And let me see the town central that they're talking about over the second the second cover. You know, I've seen town centers around the country and they're usually dominated by the multinational and the national corporations. Time's up. Yes. Okay. All right. Thank you. So thank you, Miss Vasquez. Followed by in Hays. Good evening. Thank you for this opportunity to speak. My name. Is Brenda Vasquez and we are property owners on. 46th and Josephine. We have on. The property for over ten years and we've been attending meetings for ten years as well. We own a strip mall and in that strip mall. We have several businesses. These businesses are. Owned by self-employed. Individuals. So they're locals. They are the old neighborhood businesses. So there's no chains involved. And they they have built relationships with the. Individuals in the area. Swansea, a. Neighborhood. The success of the businesses and by the way, we have very low turnover in our retail areas. The businesses include a restaurant, a cell phone store. We have an ice cream store, also a gym that supports the students at Swans here. And another business that is similar to. AA and they work primarily with Spanish. Speaking clients. So the success of the business is primarily supported by accessibility. So with the closing of Josephine and some other recommendations, those would severely impact these individuals who have been in business with us for 13 to 15 years. So what I would encourage the Council to remember these individuals and I would encourage you to go and visit the businesses and talk to those owners. Without the accessibility, they will not be successful in their businesses. They as I said, it's a lot of relationship building that has allowed them to be successful in their business and that can only be strengthened with accessibility walkability. To those individuals. We understand that the need for eastbound I-70. But I think we need to continue to to honor the individuals and the businesses that have been created over the last decades. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Vasquez and Hayes. Good evening, Madam President. Members of the Council. My name is Ann Hayes, and I am a citizen of Denver. But more importantly, for this moment, I am. I'm with Westfield Company. And we are owners as of July of this past year of a 14 acre property on Upper Brighton Boulevard between 40th and 43rd. On the East. Side. So basically across from the Coliseum, it is within the the neighborhood of Elyria, Swansea. And that is why I'm here, is to express my support for this neighborhood plan. Since our purchase of the property, I have gotten very involved in many of the neighborhood efforts. Including. The tail end of this planning process, but also have joined the National Western Advisory Committee, the Brighton Boulevard Working Group, the Brighton Boulevard, or Reno Art District, Business Improvement District Working Group. So I have gotten to know many of the people. In the neighborhoods nearby. Our property and I do want to express that the there seems to be a lot of outreach that is still would be desired by the neighbors and express our desire to continue with the outreach to the neighbors and hoping to bring a really quality redevelopment project at this location, which is right next to 38th and Blake Transit Station. So again, I just want to express our support for this plan and hopefully it will pass. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Hayes. Our next group is Steve Kenny, Betty Cram, Jimmy Bacon, Thad Tasker and Gilbert Vasquez. If you could please come up to the front. Welcome. Thank you very much for this opportunity. To be here and. Talk with you. My name is Steve Kenny. I'm a resident of. The Berkeley neighborhood. My home is 4876 Tennyson Street. It is my opinion that Elyria and Swansea. Deserve every bit of. Attention. Dedication of resources and funding for these programs, probably more so than any other neighborhoods or communities in this city. They've been neglected in a really, really bad way for many, many decades. I've attended meetings about the neighborhood plan. I've read much of the neighborhood plan, and there's. Much of it that impresses me very, very much. There's a lot of very good work in here. However, I am very. Very concerned and in some ways appalled that the city and Denver could be in any way supporting anything that is related to see. That's plan to make the freeway 3.2 times wider. Literally right. Through the middle. Of these communities. The the goals of this program. Are. Disjointed connectivity. I don't see how tripling the width of I-70 can possibly help with the connectivity of these communities and tearing out neighborhood shopping centers. Tearing out places where people gather. Reducing the number of options that kids from the from Swansea Elementary School have to cross the freeway. A next goal is missing missing services. Expanding the freeway is not going to help that. There's no possible way. Can you can you loop your comments back to the earlier response here? I sure will. Thank you. So I think that especially for environmental issues, nuisances, crime, property neglect, it's imperative that the city support things that will help the neighborhood and that absolutely, positively has nothing to do with tripling the width of I-70 until we have a plan. And that would include CDOT doing SDI, SDI, a supplemental draft environmental impact study of the I-270 and I-76. Reroute and conversion of. The current I-70. Through Globeville. Elyria and Swansea. We cannot be supporting a plan that supports the tripling of the width of I-70. Thank you. Let's see. Our next speaker is Betty Cram, followed by Jimmy Bacon Fantastica and Gilbert Vasquez. Hmm. Thank you very much and thank you for letting me talk. It all sounds so grandiose. Everything they've done. Beautiful, beautiful. But it isn't. That's where we're Elyria Swansea. And we're Elyria Swansea. And that's what we are. And we don't care for all of this. Others, please take a tour with me as we take a little ride with me from 47th Avenue to 40th Avenue. And it's going to be kind of a road bike path because we do need a bike. We need a bike path for some people, especially for a for Adam, who works there at the girl horse. He rides a bike all the time. So he needs the bike path they took. They wanted to build a street past the school, but I said, no, we need we they Josefine we don't need a Columbine street. I think it would be too close to the school as we go south, cross over I-70 and we go into 40th into 46 right there at a little shopping mall, and we stop and we have a donut, chocolate donut, and we have a cup of coffee at our favorite spot. And he does want to buy more land. He wants to build up his mall more. He wants to make it bigger, which we need. And he has beautiful people working with him and he can't seem to get it bought, which is a shame I always seem to hear about when they say building, we're building maybe low income housing or things like that. And we have we have so much. Of that right. Now in our area. As we go on down the street, there's many houses that are over 100 years old. On Josephine Street itself, we get to 43rd. And this is where they want to cut me off at 43rd and just I don't know why, but they don't want me going further south. And we have sunshine liquor right there. I don't think he's here tonight. He was going to try to get here tonight, but he had to go to Utah. But he was very. Happy about it. They're going to cut this business completely off if he gets cut off. It used to be sunshine, a drugstore and a barbershop. And it's it's probably over 100 years old. And this fellow, Ron Nelson, has owned it, run it for over 50 years. So he's been. There for a long time. As we go on. Down through. Past 43rd, we cross over to railroad one railroad track and then the Fastpass track, and we see this beautiful, expansive property. I don't know who is bought it. It must be bought. I see no signs on it. It would make. We. Absolutely need a beautiful restaurant. We need a bunch of our artisan houses, we need a bunch of little boutiques. And they would all fit in perfectly as you go down 40th Avenue and end up with the glassblowing plates right there on 41st Avenue, well, you end at least 40% with you, Josephine. This Christmas, you can include your comments. Your time is up. I got to be down one more time. The time is up. Oh, it is up. Yeah. Okay, so used Josephine Street. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Jimmy Bacon. Okay. And then sad. And Gilbert. Hmm. I guess. Well, I guess first thing, if some day if you if you could pass an ordinance to get a burrito vendor up here on this floor, I think that would be great. Um, but let's see. Okay. But. All right. Well, my name is Jimmie Bacon, and I have lived. I live at 40, 46, 18 High Street. So if anybody ever wants to send me chocolates or be pen pals, you know, feel free. But I've looked in a lot of neighborhoods in Denver, and I will say that Olivia Swanson neighborhood is inundated with kids. Gloria Swanson is full of kids. And as much as I hate kids, there is a substantial air quality related. Issue with respiratory issue. And I believe any physiologists will tell you that the respiratory system is the gateway into the body and breathing in exhaust pollutes the blood and that pollutes the body and that affects health and normal development. So now I wasn't consulting my crystal ball before I came here, but I got to say that I think widening the interstate somewhere as near as wide as a football field is long is going to be a mistake. I mean, do you have comments related to the neighborhood plan? Yes, I do. Think sorry. I thought that this amount of time, too, like before I got here, would, like, slow my heart down and but. And get me more prepared. But it hasn't. Okay, so here we go. The points of the plan above with the disjointed community, the missing services, the environmental issues, the nuances in crime, the property neglect of parks and recreation. I believe all of those points can be addressed with a reroute and a a martin Luther King Style Boulevard along 46th Street. I believe that there can be no more stupid kids running around in the neighborhood and also different kind of things for economic benefits like home grown flower stands and cottage food style stuff stands around that boulevard. But what I guess I'm saying here is that we open to the possibility that I-70 expansion is truly a bad idea. Creating new taxes, fees, and hope that the private sector will handle this is fine if there were no other options. But I think in this case but in this case, there is another option, a cheaper one to reroute I-70. And I guess finally, to be extra corny here, Stevie Wonder is coming into town in a few days. And I have been thinking, what would Stevie Wonder say about this interstate not making you drive interstate and. Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you. All right. The. Fat tax of 4535 Julian Street Members of council. The plan you're considering tonight reflects a good deal of effort by both the community and the planning department. Like most such plans, it reflects a sincere effort to improve the neighborhood. Unfortunately, it's doomed to failure first because there's insufficient funds assigned to implement it. And second, because of the plans that are currently being proposed by the Colorado Department of Transportation for East I-70, as has been recognized in a proclamation by this council. When I-70 was first ripped through Elyria and Swansea, it devastated these communities. Homes and businesses were removed. The northern part of the neighborhoods was isolated from the rest of the city, and parishes were destroyed. Long time residents left and were replaced by the people who currently reside there. Now an attempt is being made to convince these residents that the connectedness that is espoused is one of the goals of the neighborhood plan will be achieved by tripling the footprint of the highway and building 8 to 14 foot sound barrier walls along almost all the length of the trench. The healthy community that is another goal supposedly will be achieved by subjecting the neighborhoods to pollution from an additional 40,000 cars and trucks per day, increasing truck traffic through the neighborhood by removing interchanges and encouraging children to play on an unventilated cover over a polluting highway. Making these matters worse is that despite the fact that the constructing the highway is a state and not a city function, the city of Denver is considering contributing millions of dollars to the construction of this monument to the hubris of our traffic engineers. However, those dollars are exactly the type of financial resources that otherwise could be used to implement the many positive aspects of this plan. Indeed, the dollars that would be given to the state to once again devastate North Denver through the I-70 East Project could be used for meaningful, positive projects in all of Denver's council districts. Given these facts, I urge you to support the Elyria, Swansea and Neighborhood Plan. However, I urge you to do so only if you are prepared by me to move beyond the plan as an empty statement of unreliable goals intended to pacify the members of the community and to give Elyria resiliency of the resources required to implement the plan by refusing to transfer city funds to the I-70 East Project. Thank you. Our next speaker is Gilbert Vasquez. Hello? Yeah, I'm not really opposed by 70 so much. I know the bridge is in a rough shape, but what they need to do is respect the business people over there and the boulevard. What they're doing with the school that tops what's going on with the people when what they're doing is with the top on one side with the kids. That's great. The other side too. I'm go to the little center but doesn't hurt to let people and businesses there talked about close ah Josephine and make that just a three way two three block area which people are used to driving always through it from downtown through what they're going to do they turn into Clayton make that the way to go through that two neighborhood street which will that become a more of a hazard for the kids are around the school that lives in that block up and down from 45 to 46. That's where everyone we be driving through where it should be seen the way it is now. If they want to send Josephine through the truck route, fine. But let Joseph Josephine be regular car. New York is fine because the criminals there got me through four. But let the other part be, as you know, look for the locals go in there because we are all these business people are in there doing thing set business, help the neighborhood get along every neighborhood. They can't forget about the neighborhood. They can't forget to hit the neighbors. They all like all the stuff they're. And that's why I believe they should do at least respect the neighbors. They don't have a lot of money. But listen to them. Thank you, Mr. Vasquez. Okay. Our next group is one Esteban Bello's. Abel Bustillo. Nancy Palacios. Ruby Venegas. And Victor and Victoria Venegas. The Senate. And you have 6 minutes. One unnoticed singer is going Scarlet's Singer President Jerry Monteiro. Evening, members of the board. And Madam President, during winter. We are celebrating in me this. So I am going to be brief tonight. But I know she has me number one bellows so resident Olivia Beaven couldn't they said this isn't they think of Williams Denver Colorado or Chantal this disease. Good evening my name is One Willows. I am a resident of Illyria and I live on 4765 William Street in Denver, Colorado. A year participle and and in committee so the committee report is similar to that Randall participated in in Proyecto Al Foxtrot Cavaleiro Puerto. I am in the Parent-Teacher Association at Bruce Randolph and have been also part of the Festac project. Is taking over. And that tells you that the the either national works that. I've been also involved in the process for the neighborhood plan and I'm also part of the working group that is dealing with the National Western Center. Item in our historical, our own local departamento. But as soon as we transport. I am also. Working with the Department of. Transportation. Eleanor Nico Cukier Police. It's killers. This is serious because it. Tom and then go on and go into the protection. Then those three recruits en masse, Bradley, also known as Ninos Compreso El Numero Uno. And the only request that I have for you is that the decisions that are made are done keeping in mind as a priority, the protection of our most valuable asset that our children. Gracious. Thank you. That's just what we need. A girl who steals. In this case. I don't necessarily know what Assad was to use and it doesn't mean I strictly controls tennis. Good evening. My name is Sears and thank you for the opportunity of talking to you today. Just really into the Swansea and beyond as in Kentucky Fillmore District. I am a resident of Swansea. I live on 5055015 Fillmore Street. And as hello as General Allen's meetings can arrive in Swansea at least once a year. I've been attending to the different meetings that have been part of the process of the neighborhood planning for Olivia Swansea. Uh, just like I said. Then we should get in a step process. So join ENDA Kenny free way to peace. Pistorius more importantly, yes, went up at L'économie and a de la Ciudad. Then we start. And then Mr. Stadler. I understand that the highway is very important to the city and has a high importance for the economy of the state. Pedro Solana, steady the gate. No retreating they luminous passively better clear cut monstrous nice tried communi that. But I would ask that you please try to decrease the negative impact for our community. Part II i muchas familias. I'm puzzled. I thought that's who either he. Said My future state senator, they has to suspend us. There are many families there that have been in that area forever, and it would be extremely hard for them to be displaced. Uh. SEC is important paper, but I thought was better. Now I'll be the investor company that put them on us. I trust the Agonist Algo Gazette better. But at the told us. I know that the top the highway topic is very important for everybody. But let's please don't forget our community and do something that is respectful for all the parties. Is to look at the nearby traffic. Thank you. That's all I had to say. Thank you. Okay. Our next speaker is Nancy Palacios. You have. Good evening, city council members. My name is Nancy Palacios. I am a student at East High School and resident of Swansea, a community. I am a part of a leadership program at Swansea Rec Center. We took a survey of our community and there were top four issues in Swansea neighborhood. Our main concerns were safety, health, violence and vandalism. Our leadership group will be presenting on these four concerns. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Our next two speakers are Ruby Venegas and Victoria Venegas. Good evening, city council members. My name is Ruby Venegas. I'm a student at STRIVE Prep Sunnyside, and I'm a member of the leadership program. I live in the Swanson community and our program did the survey. And one of the topics was safety. There is it's really hard because there's no lights in our streets and there's no there is no there's no separation between alleys and parks. And this is hard because kids can get lost in the motor. Exactly. One expense I expected was last summer. I was taking out the trash in our street. To have a light was pretty dark and I didn't see anything. And a lot of kids were afraid to go outside because there was the crime scene. They were afraid of getting kidnaped. All I'm asking is for when you do this project to think about how it's affecting kids and like the safety. And that's all. Thank you. Is Victoria here? Good evening. My name is Victoria. I live in the Swansea community. I am also with the leadership program as well. And. One of the other problems is health. First, there are no smoke free zones. People in kids can get second hand smoking because lots of people in the park smoke also. Also, there are people there. There also there is lots of littering. There is also a Sara house right behind the rec center. Many people don't like the smoke. They don't go to the the rec centers park because of the smell. This has caused people not to go to the rec center and get movie. Their health can get them impacted by these barriers because they aren't exercising. By making smoke free zones. Kids cannot catch secondhand smoking. And by providing only smoke for smoke zones. People know where to smoke and the other people won't get affected. We appreciate your time. Thank you. Thank you for coming, especially since you have school tomorrow. So thank you very much. Okay. Our next speaker is. Fabolous Marotta. The. Repeat your name because I didn't say it right. What's that? Fabulous microphone. Good evening, city council members. My name is Fabio that I live in this one two year community and I'm also part of the leadership program. Another issue in our community is violence. There's a lot of violence, for example, a lot of gang affiliation. People have witness shooting. There is animal abuse at the Slater house. But don't forget about checks getting introduced to minors. In our whole experience I've had was when I was at school field and all of a sudden the ambulance as well as the police showed up in front of this one seriously. There was a person getting stabbed and the children there seen it made them feel really unwelcome. Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is Brian and I do not have a last name. Do we have one? He didn't write it. Okay. Hey, Brian, introduce yourself to us. My name is Brian Lobato and. I am also. Part of the leadership program. And the fourth issue was that there was too much vandalism. There's a lot of graffiti. The alleys. Have. A lot of graffiti. People's homes were being broken into, which goes back to the topic of safety, which was number one, trespassing was also an issue, but not as common. My personal experience with vandalism was that the elementary school got tagged. Also, someone broke the back windows of everybody's car and truck and caused a lot of damage. And it was dangerous because glass shards were in the. Truck and you could hurt yourself. Thank you for your time. O'BRIEN Thank. I appreciate you coming. Our next speaker is Jasmine Ramirez, followed by Carla Lopez. Amy and then, Madam Secretary, I didn't catch the name of the last person after AEI. Sorry, which one? So person Steve had mentioned or you looked at up. Hi. Hello. My name is Jasmine Ramirez. I am a student at Bruce Randolph and High School in the community of Swansea. What I will be talking about this evening is one of my personal experiences which contains by, I mean, yeah, violence. I have experienced a robbery not so long ago my house was robbed and I really don't feel safe living in a community like this. And I know actually I'm positive that everyone in my community believes that there should be a change. And so. Thank you. Thank you very much, Carla Lopez. That evening. See Council. Oh, my name is Carter Lopez and I'm also member at the Leadership Program and the song's lyrics and I live in the Santa community. Something I have personally experienced is vandalism in our community. People are trespassing in other people's property. For example, in my house there is graffiti and gang signs all over my fence and garage door. And I many people have around the community have. Um, graffiti and gang signs all over their property and. Well, I hope you consider our request and make this project happen. Thank you. Thank you. Miss Locus and Elizabeth and Ed Bill. And Elizabeth Globeville, thank you for the opportunity to talk. I'm part of the National Western Center Advisory Committee, have participated participated as sort of an adjunct neighbor. With this planning process, please hold in greater weight than mine the comments of those that live on property and have businesses in the neighborhood. I want to just say a few things quickly, and it's going to probably seemed disjointed, but I'm in a framework and a little bit as a response to the Grow House letter that you've received, because I feel like I'm in contention and would like to point out some contrast to thinking relative to this plan, which I generally support and I think is very exciting probably can that the the comment in there that the process of arriving at this draft was not always smoothly orchestrated, largely due to the cultural disconnect between the planning team and the majority of residents. This is a group that's worked with hundreds of residents, and I'm very concerned that non-profits aren't driving. So as residents into the planning process and building that trust even as they accomplish good things. So as we go forward with the implementation of this plan, please understand that it very much supports the engagement of the city council planners , etc., directly with the neighbors. And please understand that the marquee engagements with nonprofits isn't necessarily as participatory as it can be directly with with the neighbors. Because this plan is beautiful, partly because it leaves open engagement for more development of more details. I also want to say that the I disagree with saying that the affordable housing is nonspecific. I think that in section B 24, in the plan, page 46, there's a tremendous amount of detail about how to coordinate that with resources, infrastructure of the city to make it a priority. And followed by that is Section B 25, which I want to point out has to do with improved access to jobs and services because of the high level of lack of education, lack of college degrees and high school education. These neighborhoods, it's necessary to increase the skills, the employability and job connections. So if you're truly supporting people, having the stability to stay in their property and this is among the highest owner occupied neighborhoods in in Denver. So I disagree that the that that isn't something that this plan responds to. I think that going forward, it's incumbent upon us to strongly support the integration of the populations, to be able to afford the increased taxes on their houses and their properties going up in value by helping people increase their ability to earn money. And then finally, I just want to say that that I don't I want to go further than the development without displacement, development and economic visualization, revitalization with enhanced quality of life, supporting the stability of the neighborhood residents is a way to truly revitalize a neighborhood. And even if they hit the reset button and I 70 took it out of the neighborhood or did something entirely different, this plan will work. It is not doomed to failure. It's got fantastic abilities. We do have to develop the money and I think that we could reset some of the I-70 stuff and we do need to look at narrowing it and that is mentioned in the plan. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you for coming out tonight and being patient with us. Mr. Ed Bell. Thank you and thank you, counsel, for letting us let me speak tonight again. My name is Ed Bell. I'm a resident of Rapport County, but I'm in the process of purchasing two and a half acres due west of the 40th and Colorado commuter rail station. It is my goal down the road to develop the property into a mix of light industrial, mixed income, housing and retail. Last year I had the opportunity to meet with Tim and Tim Watkins and Steve Nally of the Denver Planning Department to discuss the potential future development of the properties in the area. They took time out of their busy day to spend almost an hour with me going over the area of shared with me the work they were doing on the Galleria Swansea neighborhood plan. As a result, I became more involved in the public process that designed to include all the stakeholders in the neighborhood. I found the process that was employed to be very inclusive of genuine effort was made by the Denver Planning Department, including to include all the members of the neighborhood residents and property owners alike. I don't know exactly how many meetings were held, but I imagine that not many other neighborhood plans have seen such an outreach to the community. The Denver Planning Department should be applauded for creating such an inclusive and educational process. Valerie and Swansea neighborhoods should be also recognized for the amount of constructive input they provided. It's unusual for communities to get involved over something that's such a positive change. Does the plan make everyone happy? We've heard a lot of talk about I-70 tonight. Probably not. But the plan does not shut out those who have. Concern. In fact, they specifically call out those concerns and recommend more study. The biggest area that I'd like to talk about is the area around 40th and Colorado commuter rail station. Starting on page 108 of the neighborhood plan is the description of the recommendations, the area around the 40th and Colorado commuter rail station. These recommendations are and are transformative and apply upon a partnership between the public and private sector. One of the most important factors limiting private. Development and development of any kind in the area is the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Rail Spur that bisects the surrounding neighborhood, creating pedestrian and automotive traffic disruption. It is my understanding that the city and county of Denver is leading efforts to acquire the tract referred to in the plan as the market lead. On page 115 of the plan. Two pages are. Dedicated. The importance of this parcel. Given the powers the railroad companies hold, the city and county of Denver needs to lead the way by purchasing the property from Burlington Northern Santa Fe and partnering with the private sector for the implementation of the recommendations detailed in the plan. The 40th and Colorado Rail Stations. Long term success requires the market lead be developed and the recommended connectivity be created. I'd like to take this time to thank the Planning Department, especially Tim Watkins and Steve Nally, for their efforts. The plan is very well thought out. Mr. Bell, your time is up. Thank you very. Much. Thank you. Okay. That concludes our speakers. And the first question I see from members of council is from Councilwoman Kennish. Thank you. Madam President, I was wondering if one of the planners could pull up a map and just talk to us about what we've been hearing about the Josephine Street? Because I'm not sure I caught it in the presentation, and it was clearly a theme. So if you could walk through what specifically the plan is proposing, how firm that is, and that would be helpful for me, please. All right. So this is the multi-modal connectivity map. I don't know if you can see my cursor, but that would be good if you could. Can you see my cursor on your screen? Yeah. Yes. Okay. Thank you. So this is Josephine. It is a one way couplet. One way north and York is one way south. Right now, with I 70, you can get off of the interstate at York. If you're heading east, you can get on to the interstate at through Josephine and along Stevenson place. If you're heading west, the the proposed project eliminates access at York and Josephine. So the plan is recommending to weighing both Josephine and York because it no long there's no longer an access or off ramp off of I-70. York is two way to the north of 47th. York is two way to the south of 40th to have a 4 to 5 block one way, couple of without the off ramp. Didn't make a whole lot of sense. And so that's that's the recommendation in the plan. This map shows a pedestrian bridge at Josephine because that is what is proposed by the current set up project. The thinking was Josephine ends at just north of 47th and it was an opportunity to save cost in the project. The interim condition between a new highway without access at York and Josephine prior to the two wing of all of York. Because this at York and Josephine and the East Rail, a new intersection was just built to accommodate that northern movement, to head up Josephine. So there there would be an interim condition of one way couplet without an off ramp, in all likelihood. So a lot more study needs to take place. What does it mean to eliminate this access here, and what does it mean to have a one way couplet for four blocks? And what are the impacts to actually move traffic back over to York if there is a PED bridge at Josephine? So the plan is just reflecting kind of what Seerat is showing as far as the PED Bridge plan is recommending to Wayne York. And there are a number of reasons for that. It's to get the trucks off of Josephine, get the trucks over to York, which is the arterial street. As far as the actual connection at Josephine over I-70, that needs to be studied further. As part of that, as we gather more information of what it means for traffic patterns without an interchange there. And just Madam President, if I may just clarify. So for those residents who raised questions, there's two issues, which is, one, what is I-70 proposal due to York and Josephine? And then the second is, how does this plan propose reacting? I heard a lot of residents say that Josephine would be closed. I'm assuming that those of you made that comment were referring to the see that exit being closed? Not so much how the plan responds. Am I. Right. Or do you not? I think the closing is the PED Bridge that's proposed. I think a lot of residents want that to be a vehicular connection over I-70. I see. I think that is the concern. Okay. So say to me again, so I even though you just went through it, then I missed something. I thought I heard you say you're going to make Josephine two way, but is there a place at which Josephine is to a and then close to vehicles. Is that. I missed that again. I'm sorry. So then so the long night. But yes there are kind of two things going on here. One is a pet bridge over I-70 or vehicular bridge over I-70. It's an either or. That's that's not currently in the plan, but that's the first issue. Okay. The other thing is to wing of those streets. So if we can separate those for a bit, this map reflects the proposed I-70 project, which is a PED bridge at Josephine. But the plan also recommends studying traffic patterns along York Street and Josephine Street. And I can actually read the recommendation. You work in Josephine function today as a one way couplet, a condition which creates significant truck and traffic impacts along Josephine residences, predominantly front Josephine north of 43rd Avenue with mixed use industrial uses that predominately from 40th Avenue and 43rd Avenue. As part of a travel shut analysis, conduct additional travel pattern studies and conduct neighborhood outreach to explore the desire for and trade offs associated with canceled consolidation of York and Josephine into a streets. Also explore opportunities to keep trucks on York Street to minimize negative impacts of residents along Josephine Street. So that's. The key recommendation of the plan. The map is reflecting the proposed project for I-70. Should the proposed project for I-70 change and there is actually a vehicular connection, I think it would still meet the goals of the plan of greater North-South connectivity and a number of other recommendations in the plan. Okay. Thank you so much. So I just I'll say it back real quick. Make sure I heard it right the final time. So. So the plan does not decide the outcome of Josephine. The plan describes exploring. And so those who have concerns can rest assured that this plan doesn't assume the answer. It simply says this has to be studied. Is that. Yes. That's correct. It's a it's complicated and sorry for the complicated explanation. All right. Thank you very much. Thank you, madam. Thank you, Councilor McKinney. Councilman Brooks. Thank you, Madam President. Maybe let's go with Tim, because I've had some conversations with Tim around this issue a lot. So, Tim, just on record, I just want you to say what's in the plan for height limits on 40th, the two stations, 40th in Colorado and 38th. And Blake. And I'm just going to say and you tell me if I'm right. So for for both of those stations, we are at CMA six eight. The recommended the recommended height limits a C max eight with an ash tricts on the 30th and Blake Station that I can go up to 12 stories if approval from the coal neighborhood in Elyria, Swansea neighborhoods. That's very close. And I would first describe the 40th and Colorado station area as transitioning from two and a half to three, then stepping up to five with a maximum height of eight closest to the station. And I do have the map up on the screen showing the darkest orange color as eight storey maximum at that station location is very much a intentional effort to create that terracing from established residential up to the taller building heights. Same with the National Western Center stationary as you can see those terracing heights but specific to 38th and Blake Station area as well as along Brighton Boulevard up to south of I-70 and also west of the Union Pacific Rail Yards. The eight stories with an asterix links. Well, it calls out this this language that says up to 12 stories could be explored in strategic locations through discussion and collaboration with community, with the community and applicable neighborhood organizations. Okay. So additional conversation to take place. You know, and I agree with that in you know, the struggle here is well, first of all, it's it's not near applicable neighborhoods, especially at 30th and Blake especially 40th and Colorado 30th. And Blake is is near the Cole neighborhood and in Reno kind of. Yeah, it's it's it's it's tucked in that way. So I just I want to make sure that the whole neighborhood is specifically called out in in that in the 30th and Blake Station and it is not. It kind of is because you have the applicable neighborhoods, but it's not specifically called out. But if I may. Whenever we receive a rezoning application, we notify all registered neighborhood organizations within 200 feet of a subject rezoning. So if it is if it is technically that portion that is to the east of the tracks that falls within this planning area code would be notified. And that language is intended to be I'm. Sure of it. But you see, the issue that we that we have here is that even though neighborhoods may be notified, kind of, you know, the whole neighborhood wasn't a part of. There are some members that came out and Tim did a actually a great job trying to reach out to the whole neighborhood. But folks get lost in the shuffle and at the end of the day, you don't hear about it. We do. And so I just wanted to I just want to say that publicly, that call will be notified. You listed every neighborhood organization's going to be notified of of this issue. The reason I say this is because right now, all the land right there on 30th and Blake, most of it is empty and there are planned developed site plan developments already talking about this. And so neighbors need to be ready for, you know, whatever, whatever comes. But we need to be very, very clear in the neighborhood plan about those issues. And as for the for 40th and Colorado, the two applicable neighborhoods would be Swansea and Clayton. Is that correct? Northeast Park Hill, Clayton and Swansea. Okay. Northeast Park. Okay. Thank you. I might just add to that. Briefly that the River. North registered neighborhood organization Boundaries. I believe, go up to. South of I-70 or at least along Brighton Boulevard and overlap into the statistical. Area of Elyria and Swansea. So there are registered neighborhood boundaries that overlap with artistically neighborhood boundaries and it does become very much about proximity. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Councilman Brooks. Councilwoman Ortega. Thank you, Madam President. My first question was for Brad Buchanan, but I saw that he left. So let me ask either Steve or Tim. Tell us what the benefit is of any neighborhood having a neighborhood plan. But you know, the shorter the long answer. Well, this this plan is the guide for the future of the neighborhood. It is for the neighborhood to hold up and say, this is what we want in our neighborhood. It is for city planners to hold up in front of our city council and decision makers and say, this is what the neighborhood wants for the future of their neighborhood. It's it's a vision. It's a it's kind of a playbook of how the future should play out and for the neighborhood. Tim, help me out here. So let me just say, historically, neighborhoods that have neighborhood plans get to use those as a priority for insisting that issues in those communities get funded that historically have have sort of been overlooked in the neighborhood plan elevates those improvements or those issues that the neighborhoods identify. Can you just clarify if that's still accurate? Sure. But it's the neighborhood plan identifies the projects to fund. Right. If a neighborhood doesn't have a plan and a list of projects to fund, then those projects won't be funded. Okay. So along those lines, because there are major projects that are going on in this area, I-70 and the National Western Project, if some of these improvements are not part of those two big projects. I'm not sure I see the light at the end of the tunnel that there will be funding available for some of the priorities that the neighborhoods want in these communities because so much city and other dollars will be. Basically targeted for those large projects. And so can you tell me whether or not anything that's been identified in the plan is already funded? I know that our 2015 budget included, I believe it was $46 million for this area of the city. Are any of the projects in this plan being funded by those dollars? Yeah. So rebuilding Brighton Boulevard is one of them. The majority of the I believe that 46 million for this area went to Brighton Boulevard and that is within this planning area and is recommended by the plan. Okay. But but other benefits are improvements to the residential neighborhood. And I'm not discounting the importance of what needs to happen on Brighton Boulevard because there is so much development activity happening there today. Right. So whether it's 50 seconds or addressing the railroad crossing at York and 47th or some of these other priorities that have been identified in the plan, can you. Speak? I don't have a list of all of the funded projects, but there is a sidewalk project funded for 48. Money has been identified for a sidewalk along a 40th Avenue. Both of those are identified as priority projects in the plan. So money has been identified in the 2015 budget for studying East-West connectivity, specifically at 47th and York. So it's not a capital or a physical improvement, but it's studying what that improvement could be in further detail. There's also we're also working very hard. Where does that go from? East. West. You said it's an east west connectivity from York to. So it's. Basquiat's. So it's east west connectivity basically along the upper tracks. So it's between 970 up to 49th. Pull up a map. That these are the the general is the general study area for that east west connectivity study. So it's not clearly defined as the east sorry, the north south streets on either side. It's more about traveling east and west between I-70 up to 49th Street as it relates to the up tracks. And is that because part of the connectivity for the neighborhood ends up being compromised as a result of the I-70 project coming in? Because as I looked at the map, it's very evident that the current, both east, west and north south connectivity, particularly for Elyria, almost disappears. In Swansea, it looks like some of that connectivity happens north and south because of the the lid that is put over I-70. And then it looks like there are some additional bridges over I-70. I'm not sure that they're all connected to the to the lid or not. So can you address that? Yeah. So the the highway is is proposed to widen, as you've heard tonight. But for Elyria, there is little change in the Street Network. This study is intended to improve that street network for Elyria and Swansea. It's intended to improve connecting to each other. That is a condition of the 47th in York intersection, not a condition of existing I-70 or proposed I-70. Okay. But it is a fact that the connectivity that they currently have that's under I-70, which is 46th Avenue, disappears as a result of the widening of I-70. It's just to the north of I 70. So 46 is still there. It's just instead of instead of being underneath I-70, it's next to I-70. So it's I think it's a wash as comparing what's there today versus what would what is proposed to be there in the future. Unless I'm not understanding your question. Yeah. And I guess part of it is that it's the the connectivity that exists today in the way that people can get from Globeville to Elyria to Swansea, which, you know, is a pretty direct and easy flow, except where you got to kind of jog around from Washington Street. So part of that really gets kind of chopped up as a result of the I-70 project being widened. And by putting 46th Avenue beside I-70, it further widens the footprint of the overall project. That's correct. Okay. Can you tell me when the decision was made that the playground on the lid is actually a. You mentioned that it's it's the it will be the school playground. And it's my recollection from a number of the meetings that either I or my staff attended that the neighborhood would have input into what would go on to that lid. And I know that Saeeda and Denver Public Schools will be having a meeting. I don't have the date where they will be talking about that now being the school playground. And so I'm a little concerned that the residents of the neighborhood have not necessarily had a lot of input into that. So what can you tell me about that? Well, so actually, last Friday, DPS and parents from Swansea Elementary School met with members of the community and residents of the neighborhood. The city was there and she was there to kick off a process to figure out what this covers should be in the future. The neighborhood plan kind of sets out some goals of what should be there, but also recommends that the community see the DPS parents of students as well as elementary school, the city and other potential partners to collaborate on the design and long term management of this cover, considering a few things so that a decision hasn't been made . Discussion is taking place currently is how this can be a community asset, not just an asset for the residents, also an asset for the students and a combined facility and a collaborative effort. I'm I'm glad to hear they've taken a step back because I had learned from both see that in DPS they were moving forward until they realized that residents had not really had an opportunity to weigh in on that. So I'm pleased to hear that they are ensuring that there is a more inclusive process here. The last question I have is when you showed the picture of the open channel and yet it then had a picture of housing over that has has there been the drainage ditch or the where it would be? Where the drainage ditch, I believe, is proposed to go toward the railroad tracks are okay. Okay. So it's my understanding that's where the open channel was going to be for the drainage. Correct. But then I saw some housing over that so well. So it's it's a little complicated is a lot of water flowing to the north, but not so much in this particular area. So the combined drainage concept is a combination of pipes, green streets and open channels. For this particular portion. That ditch isn't actually the open channel. There is a proposal to do to actually convey water through Monroe Street. And then as the market lead turns basically into 39th and there's an opportunity to open that up as an open channel. So this graphic that you're seeing with potential development and a pocket park on top of that bridge is is that is consistent with and the Green Street is consistent with the concept that's being proposed. Okay. That was something new to me. So that's why I had to ask about that, because I wasn't. It wasn't clear what was happening with that drainage. Okay. Just want to follow up. Go ahead. If I could just quickly respond to your first question regarding purpose of a plan and the influence that a plan can have on funding, helping make the case to fund a project. River North Plan was adopted several years ago. It made the case for improving Brighton Boulevard, which then has led to its current redesign and reconstruction. Okay, thank you. I have no further questions. Thank you, Councilwoman Ortega. Can I ask Drew, can I ask you to come up just a second? Okay. Thank you so much for hanging in there. No problem. So along the lines of Councilwoman Ortega's question as a member of the neighborhood and all of the involvement that you've had, this is it related to the digits, related to what is your opinion on the merits of having a neighborhood plan in your in your area? Well, I think without a plan, there's not really any vision. And there's it's also nothing. There's no direction that the city would have to fund projects or to improve improve the neighborhoods. And I think the lack of a plan. In these neighborhoods has. Been very detrimental and, you know, caused, you know, some neglect, sometimes outright harm. So the plan, I think, is a positive step forward. Okay. Thank you. And are there can you share with us the things that you imagine going forward? Should this plan be adopted tonight? Well, I think that as. If it's really integrated into. The other huge projects, you know, that the National. Western and Brighton. Boulevard, that it could be very, very positive that there's some. That those might catalyze a. Regeneration of malaria in Swansea. I think that regarding I-70 we have to be really very careful and it's still very undetermined what's going on there. The drafts, the supplemental. Draft, this was just it left so many questions. Unanswered. That I'm really worried. How how we how that goes forward. I really in some ways, I wonder with the I-70 project, what will be left of our neighborhood. I mean, we can't get any answers about the construction of this. How are they going to do that? You know, are we displaced? We have to leave our homes. For how long? You know, so that's the big unknown. Well, thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. Are there other comments from members of council? QUESTION Let's see, where am I? All right. Seeing none. The public hearing is closed. Comments by members of Council. Councilman Brooks. Madam President, I was deferring to you as a sitting council on this. I I'll go last. Okay. Yeah. Thank you. So we have talked so long, we didn't scared the kids out of here who deserve the most credit for being in here from 530 until 930. And so and I don't know if they'll never watch Channel eight, but unfortunately, I just want to say I am I was moved beyond words to see six, six kids speak into our plan in a in a very passionate and incredible way. So I want to thank those kids for being here. Leaders, really. You know, I'll just say this without a plan, people perish. And and so I'm I'm quoting a little a little scripture there. But I think all the folks who say that this plan will not do anything. Literally have not seen what plans have done in this city. Plans. Things get funded if they're measured and plan for it. It's very clear. And so I'm not worried about that, that that's not what I'm worried about at all. Matter of fact, every I think every little issue in this plan is going to get funded and this city is going to be I think I think Drew said, regenerate it. But the other word that I would say is gentrify that. That's what my fear is, is gentrification in this piece. 80205 The neighboring zip code you guys have heard me say it a million times is number one, gentrified zip code in the city, state and 12th in the United States. And now it's coming to a la Swansea, a Anglophile. And so what are what is community sustainability look like? And that's that's what I'm concerned about in these neighborhoods. And so Councilwoman Monteiro has been working hard to make sure that there are some affordable housing options to. Make sure that the community has places in the community where they can stay. Be a part of the community. And making sure that those investments in I-70 in the stock show realize that they need to understand that community sustainability is the number one goal. And I think people have been hearing that loud and clear. And I've been in meetings where it's been awkward because Councilwoman Monteiro has called people out to make sure that they understand that that's a priority. And so that's the kind of leadership that you need. And, you know, I just Councilwoman Teri has been doing a great job and and it's been a great example for me. So I think going forward, seeing the Urban Land Conservancy in some of their plans on affordable housing and the things that they want to do in in this area is going to be really important supporting local businesses, but supporting the nonprofits that are already doing great work. And Glover earlier. Swanson And making sure that they have long term leases, making sure that they have a vision for the neighborhood, making sure that they are funded. It's going to be really important so that community support is incredibly important. Any time I know there's a lot of concern over the highway and any time you invest $1,000,000,000 into a neighborhood in an area, it changes things radically. So I think it's it's right for Drew and others to to be concerned. And by the way, I live in Cole, so I live six blocks away from this neighborhood. And so my kids, my neighbors are concerned as well. And so but I think I think what you see up here and you all aren't a part of the meetings, but is a deep concern about pollution, about, you know, drainage issues, about connectivity within the neighborhood. Many council folks who have been in these I-70 meetings are working hard to make sure that that gets done. And so I just want to thank everybody for being here late, and I want to thank Councilwoman Monteiro for leading the charge on this. And getting this done is the first time in this city's history that this gets done. And by the way, that's a big deal because Cole Clayton, North City Park, do not have city plans at all. This is a big deal. Realize it. Thank you. Councilman Brooks. Councilwoman Ortega. Thank you, Madam President. First, I want to thank all the residents and business folks who came out tonight and for your patience in waiting through the previous zoning that we had. I want to thank Councilwoman Monteiro for her leadership in working to bring forward a neighborhood plan. It really takes a push from your councilperson to get the city staff to say thank you to Steve and Tim to work with the neighborhoods, to put these plans together and make sure that the priorities, as they are identified by the neighborhood, are incorporated into these plans. I think it's important to say that the I-70 project does have direct. Impact on these neighborhoods. And, you know, I've sat through many, many meetings, as well as my staff, along with Councilwoman Monteiro and her staff. And one of my frustrations is that we have had ongoing weekly meetings with the city, and we're beginning to sit in on some meetings between the city and CDOT. And in the last meeting that I sat in on, we were told the issue of reducing the footprint other than just addressing the width of the lanes where the shoulders, for example, could could meet a different standard that we're we're really not going to be talking about reducing the footprint of this corridor through these neighborhoods. And that's very disturbing to me, because the impact to these neighborhoods is going to be significant, more so than any other neighborhood in this city that I'm aware of. You know, if you look at the map and literally count all of the lanes, including 46th and and 47th, 46th, and the on and off ramps. It's it's it's a huge impact to these neighborhoods. And so, you know, this plan, I think, plays a huge role in trying to address many of those issues and those impacts. But just having participated in that process, I have to say it's it's frustrating. There is a meeting that is being held tomorrow evening at 530 at Bruce Randolph Middle School. There have been a series of smaller meetings that were taking place in the neighborhood where the city of Denver was talking to groups in the neighborhood of the parents who meet with the principal, some of the nonprofits, other folks in the community to hear concerns and try to incorporate those into the recommendations that are moving forward or the negotiations that are moving forward with CDOT. So this meeting tomorrow will be to, you know, share back with the community that we've heard. You hear the things that Denver is working to address and incorporate as part of the concerns that we'll be fighting for as part of the second I-70 project. So that will be again 530 tomorrow evening at Bruce Randolph Middle School. For those of you in the neighborhood who can attend and pass on and share the information with your neighbors. Lastly, I think just the whole issue of the playground, I'm really pleased to hear that they've taken a step back to include the neighborhood folks in deciding what that lead should look like. And, you know, obviously, because that is calling that mitigation, they're going to have to not only fund the improvements, but fund the ongoing maintenance of the improvements that go in there. So I know there's a lot of intertwining, but again, I think I-70 is the £100 gorilla in this conversation. And it was important to have the neighborhood plans move ahead of some of these bigger projects to ensure that the issues that the neighbors have identified, connectivity, open space, just all of the issues that are in the plan. The air quality issue is huge because of the health impacts that people in these neighborhoods have been impacted by for the many years that I-70 has been through the middle of these neighborhoods. But again, I just want to commend everybody who's been involved in shaping the priorities in this plan and look forward to seeing more funding to address the implementation of it. Thank you. Councilman Ortega. Councilman Lopez. Thank you, Madam President. I am very happy to see this neighborhood plan in front of us finally and ready for a vote. I know that. Councilman Monteiro, thank you for your work and thank you to the community and the folks that are here. I, too, wish that the the young ones were here, but there's nothing better than no better way to implement a neighborhood plan and to get an education in the community. And I think, you know, at the end of the day, that's what the neighborhood plans are designed to do. They're much more about much less about zoning and about how high you can build and where you can build it. It's about neighborhoods and neighborhoods depend on. People depend on neighborhoods to thrive in order for them to thrive. And if at the end of the day, in Elyria and Swansea and other neighborhoods, they still have not had another neighborhood plan or have an updated neighborhood plan in a day. I think you you want to improve the neighborhoods in such a way that you put capital into the hands of those people that are there. And you do that by improving everything that the city can touch and has authority to improve sidewalks, streets, parks, amenities, crossing zones, safety, lighting, a neighborhood plan addresses all of these things. And I know that there's a lot more people who probably could be here were it not for a monday night and snowy and probably for their work schedules. And I know these neighborhoods very well. I worked as a community organizer, the, you know, train with the cross-community coalition and some good people in that community. And I came out of there learning how to organize. And these were the neighborhoods that that I that I first organized in. I met so many of the people like great people, great neighborhoods. Lorraine Granado used to take me to teach me how to do house visits. Right. And there's a lot of leaders that have contributed to this that have, you know, built it up. It's good to see one councilman that has office to take it to the next level with the neighborhood. My mother was a elementary school teacher at Swansea Elementary for a number of years in DPS, and she was still a teacher . So I know the neighborhood very well. I'm glad to see the plan. Very proud to see the folks here tonight. And today is a victory for the neighborhood and for the district. So 1017, you will be victorious. Thank you. I'm glad to vote to support it. Thank you. Thank you so much, Councilman Nevitt. Thank you, Madam President. I'll be brief. This is, I think, an absolutely stellar neighborhood plan. But as Mike Tyson famously said, everybody's got a plan until they get. Punched in the face. This is a community that is no stranger to getting punched in the face and they've been punched in the face over the last 50 years. But it's a community that's resilient and tenacious and given half a chance, will be able to implement this plan. And so I want to congratulate the community for being that resilient, tenacious community that wants to have a chance. I want to thank the planning for putting so much time and energy into working with the community and coming up with this plan. And finally, I just want to congratulate I've said this before several times in committee, but I just want to congratulate and express my appreciation to Councilwoman Monteiro. You have fought like a tiger for this community, and you have been tenacious and relentless and haven't let anybody forget this place and its importance and that it needs to be given that half a chance. And so this is a proud day for you as well. So let's get this sucker passed. Thank you. Thank you. Councilman Nevitt, other comments from members of council. I want to I just wanted to go last so I could get my thoughts together. And what I want to do is thank planning, community planning and development and city of Denver and all the other agencies that have worked along the way with us, the NTC , the North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative. I want to thank my council aide, Nola McGill, who is so loyal and so dedicated to this neighborhood that she deserves an applause. I also want to thank the Swansea Recreation Center Leadership Group who were just amazing. I was sitting there trying to visualize my daughter being up there talking and you know, it's quite a feat. And I want to tell the community members that this process has been helpful. It's been concerning and it's been inspiring. I've learned so much from working with everyone, and I, I hope that everyone has learned a lot listening to each other. We when we first started on this first step, I remember Nolan and I sitting in a conversation at our office saying, this can't be this can't be like any other plan that's ever been done. This is this is all areas once a year. And what is at the heart of it and the heart at the heart of what happened here is that. Decades of the neighborhood being traumatized by poor policy choices. There was a big, big element of distrust, though, from the beginning. We tried to work with that and figure out what we could do. And we started by doing an asset, a resource planning session with all of the people that with within the city, different agencies that made decisions about where money goes, you know, what's being done in the neighborhood. And we asked them, you know, what have you done for with what we we're doing? We were including Globeville. What have you done for Globeville? Various wants it. And what do you plan to do in the future? And that's when we were done with that exercise, with the blessing of the mayor. That seemed to be a pebble that was thrown in the water. And it started and it started rippling. We were able to bring, you know, the snap truck that was right in front of Swansea Element at Swansea Recreation Center. We're able to do bike lanes and finish lots of other little projects, were able to look at street signs and look at truck routes and get funding to do a health impact assessment. There is still lots of work to do and at the heart, as was mentioned, is, you know, some of these other catalytic projects that have divided the neighborhood in the past that probably did not have the best relationship with neighborhood people. And my hope is that and I know that people of Globeville, Elyria, Swansea will advocate for themselves with this plan that you have with you. And I take heart that I know that you will do that and that you have representatives here at City Council. Now that we have a plan that you can show to them and say, you know, this is our vision and help us find funding to continue to have these things go forward. The other thing that was different in this particular group was in this particular beginning process is we actually sat with community planning and developed community planning and development and said there the plan in these neighborhoods they need to have cultural relevancy. The heart of what these communities are, the way that they're threaded together, has everything to do with who they are culturally. And I'm very proud that after lots and lots of meetings that we conducted meetings in Spanish, we conducted everything that we could possibly think of to embrace the culture and the people that live in this neighborhood . And for that, I am very, very proud. And I hope that you are, too. We can't make any of these changes overnight, but I hope now that with this tool and that's what it is, it's a tool, and it's only going to be as good as the neighborhood people that use it. The representatives that will in the future be elected to represent Elyria, Swansea. It's only going to be that good. But even in our health impact assessment, we identified everything we could truck routes and where they should go, where there shouldn't be truck routes, signs, sidewalks, cracks in the sidewalks, railroad noise, other kinds of pollution. And so it's all there. I can't think of anything else that we could have done. I can't during this particular period of time. And so now is your plan and the future plan for your representatives. And so now you just got to work hard and go get it. And just so that you'll know part of what we've done along the way to, as I mentioned, the health impact assessment. So that's there as you're looking for funding, you can relate it to a specific thing in the health impact assessment, for example, a regional recreation center in the future for this area. We also have created an affordable housing committee that's already looking at land banking and looking at it was mentioned looking at purchasing 4800 race to do future housing, but that's just one project. There needs to be more. We also have another group that is looking at creating pathways for people that live in these neighborhoods, creating pathways from all the way, getting coaching to get your GED to be able to continue on and look at mentorships or stewardship or apprenticeships with future jobs that come in the future. So it's all there. It's going to be a lot of work, but I can't think of any stone that we didn't turn over and look at. And so it's there. And so I wholeheartedly support this project and and it's yours. And I would encourage my colleagues to do the same. Thank you. Councilman Brooks, we need. Oh, let's see. Where are we? I lost my place. Okay. Madam Secretary, roll call in 57. We need a motion to pass as amended. Okay. Councilman Brooks, we need a motion to pass as amended. So moved. No second can I say so moved. Madam Secretary, do I need to? Probably. For the record, you should probably state it. Okay. I move counts 12 5657 be order published now. As amended. As amended? Yes, that's right. As amended. Thank you. Been moved and seconded. Madam Secretary, roll call on Council Bill 57. Brooks Brown. Can each i Liman i Lopez I Nevitt. I. Ortega, I Rob Shepherd i Susman. Madam President. I Madam Secretary, close the voting and announce the results. Councilwoman Lehman Oh, Councilwoman. Woman Oh, sorry. Okay. Hmm. You know, two votes, Madam Secretary. Nine. Nice. We have nine. A nine eyes council bill 57 has passed as amended. All right. See no other business before this? This meeting is adjourned. Denver eight TV. Your city. Your Source. Denver. Eight on TV and online. To stay connected to your community. Your city. Your source. You are watching Denver. Eight TV's Your City, your source.