1) Park Hill Golf Course Development Update

Westside Investment Partners has revealed more information about the proposed features of the former Park Hill Golf Course. During a community meeting on Sept 7, Westside principal Kenneth Ho delivered a presentation to announce the details of the project and to show the renderings of the plans.

Two-thirds of the available land would be designated for public parks and open spaces. On the eastern half of the former golf course, a 95-acre plot would be established as a regional public park that is only accessible for pedestrians and bikes.

Westside Investment announced the proposed plans for the former Park Hill Golf Course, which would feature public parks, affordable housing, and commercial centers. Rendering courtesy of Westside Investment Partners

The western portion of the golf course would feature residential blocks that branch off from Colorado Blvd and that offer approximately 3,000 housing units. At least 25 percent of these units would be designated as affordable for low and middle-income residents, and the affordable units would be intermixed with traditional housing to enhance the diversity of the neighborhood.

Commercial centers would also be integrated into the western section of the project. A pedestrian market called “Main Street” would stretch horizontally along 38th Avenue and offer a variety of stores, restaurants, and businesses. Main Street would also merge into the park so residents can combine the activities of shopping at the stores, eating at the restaurants, and playing in the park. Additionally, a large plot on 35th Avenue would be used to build a grocery store for the community.

The plan still needs to be approved by voters because a conservation easement prohibits the land from being used for any purpose other than a golf course. As a result, Denver residents must vote on the proposal in a city-wide election for the government to lift the easement and for Westside to develop the land. Westside hopes to place the proposal on an election ballot in 2023, but the measure is likely to become a contentious issue. Opponents of the development project say that preserving the golf course as a public park would benefit residents by improving their physical health, mental wellbeing, air quality, and recreational activities. However, supporters of the project contend that the Northeast Park Hill community also needs affordable housing, food options, and business centers.

Patricia Clark is one of the featured artists on the Park Hill Open Studios Tour. She teaches painting and will be exhibiting her work at the Art Garage. Front Porch photo by Christie Gosch

2) Park Hill Open Studio Tour October 15 & 16

The Park Hill Open Studio Tour for this year will feature 23 neighborhood artists at eleven studio locations throughout Park Hill. The tour will spotlight artists who work with ceramics, watercolor, oil, acrylic, pastel, jewelry, collage, blown glass, cold wax, mixed media, and much more. The artists will display their work, conduct demonstrations, and answer questions. Nine artists will also showcase their pieces at the Art Garage that is located at 6100 East 23rd Avenue. The Art Garage is a community art center offering classes and special events for all ages. The center will also provide free maps of all the studio locations, which will be open from 10am-5pm on October 15 and 16. Painter Patricia Clark says taking part in the tour is a great way “to support local artists and learn about different approaches to the creative process.”

3) Second Dawn Brewing Slated to Open Soon

A large, new brewpub expects to open in Northwest Aurora by the end of October. Located at 23rd and Dayton, Second Dawn Brewing will feature a 5,100 square-foot space for the indoor bar and a 1,000 square-foot patio for outdoor seating. Owner Ross Koenigs previously worked for New Belgium in Fort Collins, where he won several Great American Beer Festival awards and helped develop the Voodoo Ranger beer that became a top-selling IPA brew. Second Dawn is Koenigs’ first solo venture. He plans to use his brewing experience to create approximately ten recipes that will include unique brewing techniques, beer ingredients, and juice combinations.

Second Dawn Brewing in NW Aurora will offer an indoor taproom, outdoor patio, and unique beer recipes developed by owner Ross Koenigs. Rendering by design firm THE5WH