PART 1: INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS
In 2002 the City and County of Denver’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Services of the Community Planning & Development Agency conducted a needs assessment in a number of Denver’s neighborhoods, including Skyland/North City Park. Residents identified infrastructure needs as the second most important local service that needed improving in 2002. Specifically, residents identified alleys that needed paving, a lack of sidewalks, and curb cuts that needed improvements.
What alleys, sidewalks and curbs have been repaired since the 2002 needs assessment? Using data from the 2002 needs assessment, field research and interviews with neighborhood residents, a map was produced to document elements of the infrastructure that were improved and those that continue to need repair. The map below indicates elements that were repaired or improved in green, with elements still needing repairs in red. Most of the curbs, gutters and ramps along York Avenue were repaired. A few alleys were paved and curbs repaired in the center of the neighborhood, but there is a clear lack of improvement overall from 2002-2008.
Residents requested these improvements through 2007 with city council representatives and through the needs assessment done in 2002. Councilwoman Carla Madison requested the information contained in the map below and has promised to follow up on needed improvements. Residents need to understand what role they play in having their infrastructure needs addressed, what city programs are in place to improve sidewalks, curbs and alleys in their neighborhood, and what role the city and public works play in such processes. How do residents report infrastructure problems to the city? How long does it generally take to get infrastructure requests addressed?
