PART 4: SUMMARY OF RESULTS & POTENTIAL ACTIONS
Infrastructure
RESULTS
- Very few of the resident identified curbs, alleys and sidewalks have been improved since the 2002 needs assessment
POTENTIAL ACTIONS
- Identify city policies, agencies and resident responsibilities in infrastructure improvements.
- Lobby public officials for neighborhood improvements by a targeted deadline.
- Consider how private uses of City Park pavilion can provide tax revenue for surrounding communities and their infrastructure needs
- Link neighborhood needs with larger city-wide infrastructure initiatives, such as the “Living Streets Task Force” and the transportation committee of the Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation.
Youth & Senior Services
RESULTS
- Most residents consider the closure of the YMCA a negative impact on the community, representing a significant loss of youth and senior services.
- Most residents would like to see the YMCA developed into an intergenerational community center with the adjacent open space enhanced as an outdoor play and public space for families.
POTENTIAL ACTIONS
- A task force has been established to work on the redevelopment of the YMCA property.
- A survey of surrounding communities that could potentially benefit from a new community center are underway.
- Lobby public officials, private developers, private businesses and foundations to purchase, redevelop and manage the facility.
- Link neighborhood needs with larger city-wide parks and recreation initiatives, such as the “Parks and Recreation Task Force.”
- Work with university architecture, landscape architecture and planning students to produce a community design vision and program for a new facility.
Economic Development
RESULTS
- City Park, Ben’s Supermarket and Frank’s Market are the most used community businesses or resources.
- Most residents do not frequent local businesses because they do not provide the services or products residents desire or close to early.
- Most residents favor attracting independent businesses.
- Most residents would like to have a grocery store and new restaurants in the neighborhood.
POTENTIAL ACTIONS
- Create a task force to develop strategies that attract new businesses
- Build upon the existing market analysis for the community
- Determine extent of absentee business owners and incentives for invigorating existing businesses
- Lobby public officials for designation of 28th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard as urban enterprise zones.
Demographic Trends
RESULTS
- The community is diverse and changing.
- Most households have no children, but those that do have children under the age of 5 have increased since 2000.
- Income diversity reflects influx of young urban professionals into the community, stable families that have resided in the community for generations and persons living in poverty.
- The average family income has increased since 2000.
- The percentage of families living in poverty seems to be increasing.
- Demographic trends suggest the neighborhood is in a preliminary phase of gentrification.
POTENTIAL ACTIONS
- Develop a community vision and action plan to retain neighborhood diversity.
- Research city-wide policies and laws that promote equitable development practices.
- Lobby public officials for tax deferment opportunities so longtime residents are not priced out of the housing market.
- Link efforts with communities undergoing similar trends to determine best practices.
- Develop a neighborhood plan.
