In attendance were: Eugene Keyser, Matt Keelin, Carla Madison, Cherie Kirschbaum, Jim Wiseman, Leslie Lipstein, Charles Brantigan, Bethany Gravell, Al Davis, Steve LeMoine, Michael Henry and Bonnie Dalrymple.

The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.

The minutes were read and approved with corrections. The corrections are as follows: The first correction is in the second paragraph of page 2 where "week" should be replaced with "year". The second correction is on page 3 where the first paragraph of continuing minutes from Dave Walstrom should be deleted.

Earlier this year Cheri Kirschbaum was hired by the Board of the Uptown Partnership to evaluate the organization and its ability to sustain itself. After careful consideration, the decision was made to disband the organization after its illustrious 25 year history. It appears that its halcyon days 25 years ago were buying and rehabilitating the most dangerous properties in the neighborhood has given way to the mundane task of maintaining its 16 properties and developing enough cash flow to sustain itself. There has been a deliberate process of evaluation of each of the 16 properties, and the plan is to either sell them or to transfer them to another low income housing provider. Four of the properties are currently listed for sale including the former Ronald McDonald House on Ogden. The holdings account for about 100 units of affordable housing at the present time, and every effort is being made to preserve the affordability of the units as they transfer to other owners.

The question was asked about the three Victorian houses on Emerson and the desire to return them to the marketplace. Apparently, there has been some deferred maintenance. Ms. Kirschbaum pointed out that there have been some misunderstandings concerning that property. It was originally understood that it would remain in low income housing for 15 years, but a previously unknown provision in the legislation requires a second 15 years. The illustrious history of that property, commonly known as "Castle Greyskull" was reiterated. Jim Wiseman will consult with Ms. Kirschbaum about properties in the San Rafael neighborhood and Carla Madison will consult with her concerning properties in City Park West. Ms. Kirschbaum emphasized the collaborative nature of the process of unwinding the Uptown Partnership.

Dr. Brantigan suggested the repository of the records should be the Western History Collection of the Denver Public Library. He suggested that Joan Harms be contacted (720-865-1810). It would also be valuable for someone to create a history of the Uptown Partnership, as its impact on the community has been great, and it may well be the only low income housing provider created by a registered neighborhood organization.

• City Park West appears to be alive and well.
• Uptown on the Hill was scheduled to have a meeting a month or so ago, but it was canceled. As far as we are able to tell, the only current function of Uptown on the Hill is to hold the Sampler. No one knows what has happened to the money from the last Sampler. No one in the group has been able to contact David Lampe. Apparently Cathe Mitchell, Dave Walstrom, Jim Peiker, and Patricia Lindsley has some interest in resurrecting the organization. Some thought has been given to making it a "virtual neighborhood group that hold virtual meetings over the Internet". The requirements from the City, however, require at least an annual meeting attended by 12 people. Strategies for achieving that were discussed. Dr. Brantigan and Carla Madison will try to push Uptown on the Hill to "fish or cut bait".
• Swallow Hill Neighborhood Association: Bonnie Dalrymple itemized some of the concerns that her organization has concerning the number of special needs populations being housed in the 1500 block of Ogden. She have outlined her frustrations in blocking variances provided to allow such organizations to move in. The group is currently not a registered neighborhood organization. The Forum emphasized the importance of working together on projects of this type, and the importance of having a neighborhood organization looking out for the greater neighborhood and all the issues rather than just dealing with individual crises. Ms. Dalrymple is encouraged to make Swallow Hill a registered neighborhood organization, and perhaps expand the boundaries to compensate for Uptown on the Hill and its problems.
• San Rafael Neighborhood Association: Jim Wiseman reports that there have been neighborhood activities continuing such as a neighborhood yard sale which is to be held on June 10, and a neighborhood clean-up project last month. The last formal meeting was in November 2005. It is his understanding that the organization has applied to renew its registered neighborhood status. It is Ms. Wiseman’s intention to reform the Board and try and resurrect the neighborhood organization.

In the discussion that followed a number of points were emphasized.

• With a change of organization in the Planning Department and the focus of the City Government, it becomes even more important that notices of impending activities be disseminated widely throughout the neighborhoods. The only way that that can happen is if the neighborhoods are represented by registered neighborhood organizations, and the designated contact person forwards the various notices of interest to its constituency.
• The integrity of the process is important. Virtual neighborhood groups that never have meetings or neighborhood groups made up of only a few people focused on an individual issue take credence away from the neighborhood organization process.
• The integrity of the Forum process is based on the integrity of the neighborhood groups and their ability to communicate with and speak for the neighborhoods.

Al Davis reports that St. Joseph Hospital is moving a lot of dirt. They plan to close Gilpin on June 19 for one month to bring in steel for their new project. Gilpin will then be opened again, closing between August 16 and February 15 of next year. Signage has been worked out between the two hospitals, and there was some concern about whether the signage proposed was appropriate. Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center’s main entrance will, apparently, be diverted to High Street. Because of the eminency of Gilpin’s closure, a decision was reached to use the signage as planned. This will be a one month trial, in effect, and if there are problems, the signage can be amended subsequently. St. Joseph Hospital and Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center are working together to coordinate this process.

Steve LeMoine reiterated that the demolition of Park Manor will begin shortly and planning is underway to continue to build their project. It is anticipated that there will be elimination of parking on the west side of High Street to the consternation of Drs. Platt and Anneberg, but street closures won’t be required.

Matt Keelin reported that the due diligence process would be extended another 45 days, taking it into August. After the "C Company" has closed on the property, then there will be information to share with the Forum.

Leslie Lispstein reports that she is leaving the City by August 1. That means that the Urban Design Plan must be completed by that point. Clearly, it will not have passed City Council by that time, but she volunteered to come in on her own time to shepherd the documents through the legislative process. There is a meeting on Thursday morning at Dr. Brantignan’s office to create a "to do list" for the Plan. There needs to be at least one additional public meeting, possibly hosted by CHUN, in July of this year. Physical hosting of the meeting will be held by Steve LeMoine at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Jim Wiseman has outlined his plans for developing that property. He applied for variances some years ago only to have the variances expire. He has the ability, under the current zoning, to build a six story building there. Instead of that, he has elected to build six three-story townhomes. While the final proposed footprint has been arrived at, the entire design of the structure has not. Salient features include that the ends of the buildings will be set back 18 feet from the property line. The closest approach to the property line will be 10 feet. This is an attempt to respect existing setbacks. Parking is oriented towards the alley. A local architect, Normal Cable, is working on the project.

HDUDF Meeting Minutes

05/30/06 - Page 4

In order to get this project done, Mr. Wiseman would like two variances to be approved. The first is for two foot pop-outs of the second and third floors located on the corners of the buildings. This will essentially create bay windows with a good view. The second variance is that he would like to have essentially a zero setback at the alley. This is compatible with other buildings in the area, and it will allow greenspace and landscaping that the fronts of the buildings. Mr. Wiseman passed around schematics and asked for comments. Leslie Lipstein suggested that Mr. Wiseman measure the project against the OD-1 guidelines since there is a proposal to create an OD-1 overlay. Mr. Wiseman will meet with Ms. Lipstein to discuss that.

It was moved and unanimously approved that the Forum write a letter supporting the variances requested.

Mike Henry reminds everyone that CHUN is holding a neighborhood assembly tomorrow at 6 p.m.

Stu Jackson, the owner of the old Hittle Stores, former site of Cliff Young’s, wants to open the entire area as a Hamburger Mary’s outlet. As a result, he wants to create a 2,300 sq. ft. patio south of the building. The neighborhood is concerned, among other things, about the noise issue. Hence, the meeting.

Jim Wiseman reports that the Zion Baptist Church has not yet applied for its extension, although the Board has ruled that it will be automatic. There is progress on the nursing home.

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned.