1) Guns Buyback Event Aug. 20

“Guns to Gardens” offers an opportunity for any person to anonymously turn in unwanted firearms so that they cannot be stolen out of homes and vehicles or used in violent crimes. The Colorado Springs organization RAWtools destroys the guns at the site of the drive-thru event, then subsequently melts down the guns and turns them into gardening tools or jewelry. After the gun has been destroyed, compensation is a $50, $100 or $150 gift card depending on the gun.

BB guns, Airsoft, homemade guns and ghost guns will be disabled upon request but not compensated. Ammunition will not be accepted. Unwanted gun cases, safes, and locks will be accepted. Firearms are to be brought in the trunk or back seat of a vehicle and removed by a RAWtools representative to be disabled. Participants need to be sure to check that their firearm is unloaded prior to arriving at a buyback event.

The Aug. 20 buyback will be held at Living Water Christian Center, 1585 Kingston St, Aurora. The Broncos, District 5 Denver City Council Member Amanda Sawyer and Aurora At-Large Council Member Curtis Gardner are partnering with RAWtools for these events. For more information visit RawTools.org or to volunteer, email denvercouncil5@denvergov.org.

771 New Residences Under Construction in 5 Blocks of Central Park Blvd. Near Train Station

2) E. 32nd Ave., Solana Central Park

The big parking garage rising starkly from the mostly empty lot between 32nd and 33rd, is being built to accommodate 307 apartments by California-based Reylynn Properties. With “type-V wrap construction,” the parking garage is structurally independent from the 4-story wood frame apartments that will wrap around it. Leasing is currently expected to start in the spring of 2023. The building under construction just to the south of it is Natural Grocers.

3) E. 35th Ave., NE Denver Housing, Income-Qualified Apartments

This 127-unit complex is expected to be completed at the end of January 2023. Information on how to get on the interest list will be posted at the project site a few months prior to completion. One-, two-, and three-bedroom units are being built, including 36 three-bedroom units. One-person households making up to $49,500 and two-person households making up to $56,580 are eligible (30% to 60% of Denver’s area median income). The complex will have shaded gathering areas, a community room, play area amenities, an on-site supportive services coordinator, youth programs, a variety of classes and mental health services.

A 90-unit income-qualified complex is also under construction north of I-70 on Central Park Blvd. at East Prairie Meadow Dr. and will be completed at the same time.

4) E. 36th Ave., A Line Townhomes

Six buildings with a total of 36 townhomes surround Sprouts on the south side of E. 36th Ave. They have 2-4 bedrooms, 3-4 baths, an attached 2-car garage, and range from 1,786 to 2,230 sq. ft. The units, developed by David Friedman, are available for sale now. For information visit A Line Townhomes Central Park

5) E. 36th Ave., Central Park Station Residences

Phase 1 of this 301-unit apartment complex is being built on the south half of the block between E. 36th and E. 37th Avenues, with the Central Park Station parking area as its neighbor north of E. 37th Ave. Front Porch requested information about the plans for Phase 2, but did not get a response. With construction of this building all on the south half of the lot, it appears that another similar structure could be built on the north half of the lot. High Street Residential, the multifamily subsidiary of Trammell Crow is the developer.

6) New Central Park Playground

Public outreach to create a new plan for the heavily used Central Park playground began in 2018 and construction started this past spring with the removal of the old equipment. The $2 million plan scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2023 includes new concrete walks, playground surfacing, play equipment, shade structures, lighting, water pump/misters, and landscape improvements.

A concept plan has been created for Greenway Park that moves the play equipment to the area surrounding the sand pit and picnic structure. The floodplain will be developed into a nature exploration area. That project is not currently funded.