Union members picket for better working conditions at the King Soopers on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Front Porch photo by Christie Gosch

1) Union, King Soopers Reach Tentative Deal

King Soopers/City Market’s contract with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 (UFCW), a union that represents grocery workers in the Denver Metro area and beyond, officially expired on Jan. 8. In a letter, on Jan. 11, King Soopers proposed what they called their last, best, and final offer to UFCW. UFCW rejected the offer, and a strike began on Jan. 12. Picketing continued for 10 days. At the time this issue went to print, King Soopers and UFCW had reached a tentative deal. According to a statement on UFCW’s website, details of the deal were to be revealed at a meeting on Jan. 24 where employees would be invited to vote on ratifying the agreement.

2) Submit Your Ideas for Renaming Johnson & Wales

Members of the east Denver community are invited to assist in the renaming of the former Johnson and Wales campus in Park Hill. The deadline to submit your ideas is February 28. After Johnson and Wales University announced it was closing its Denver location, the 25-acre campus was purchased by the Urban Land Conservancy, Denver Housing Authority, and Denver Public Schools in a unique partnership. Those entities, along with St. Elizabeth’s School, the Kitchen Network, and Archway Communities are redeveloping the campus to expand the Denver School of the Arts and other education opportunities, provide low-income housing to seniors and families, and provide culinary training and facilities for small business owners. The groups have formed a 13-member task force with alumni of the campus and several nearby neighborhood organizations to lead a community-informed process to rename the campus. Members of the public can submit their ideas using this link: https://forms.gle/5mEghBcYWCgrqi3k8.

The historic Founder’s Hall building at Johnson & Wales will now be redeveloped into low-income housing for seniors and families. Front Porch photo by Steve Larson

3) Construction on Protected Bike Lanes Begins in Central Park

Construction of protected bike lanes on Central Park Blvd. is underway and is expected to be completed in early February. The project—stretching from Montview Blvd. to 36th  Ave.—places parking lanes next to traffic so that bicyclists can travel safely in a dedicated lane between the parked cars and the curb. “These protected lanes are critical for the safety of school kids riding their bikes, but also for adults who frequent the businesses along this vital corridor, whether it’s Mici’s Pizza or Sprouts Market,” said Brad Revare, co-chair of the Central Park United Neighbors Safe Streets Committee. He pointed to a University of Colorado study that showed protected bike lanes reduce fatalities for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. The protected lanes are part of Denver’s “Vision Zero” initiative that aims to end traffic deaths by the year 2030. While Revare is thrilled about the new Central Park bike lanes, he says there’s more to be done. “I’d like to see protected bike lanes installed along Syracuse Street, past the Town Center and Swigert School. And my ultimate dream is for the city to build a network of protected bike lanes to connect East Denver with downtown.” Revare is planning a group bike ride for families to celebrate the newly protected lanes as soon as they are completed.

4) Denver City Council Begins Once-a-Decade Redistricting Process

Every 10 years following the release of the U.S. Census data, Denver City Council is required to redraw its city council boundaries. Accurate zoning ensures everyone has a voice in electing local representatives. Denver has a mayor and 13 council members. The mayor and two at-large council members are elected by Denver residents. The other 11 council members are elected by residents of their council district. The Denver City Council Redistricting Committee will meet weekly through the end of March to discuss redistricting. Community meetings will be held from 5:30 to 7pm at Montbello High School on Feb. 9 and Manual HS on Feb. 23. To learn more or to get involved visit https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Denver-City-Council/Redistricting-Denver-2022.