1) Status Update: Central Park Development

Central Park is in its 21st year of the 25-year Tax Increment Financing being used to build out the neighborhood. Park Creek Metro District’s (PCMD) annual report submitted Sept. 1, 2020 shows total debt of $226,191,750, the last of which will be paid off December 1, 2051. The special district tax in Central Park will remain at approximately its current level until the final debt is paid off. The administrative and overhead costs of Westerly Creek Metro District (WCMD) and PCMD are approximately 3% with 97% going to debt service for infrastructure.

PCMD anticipates that all regional and local infrastructure will be completed by 2025. About 10% (310 acres) are still under development or remain to be developed—122 acres are residential for sale and the rest are rental or commercial uses. A Q&A with more detail (click here for document,) along with supporting documents and an explanation of Central Park’s two metro districts are posted below.

Explanation of two metro districts-WCMD & PCMD
PCMD 2020 Annual Report
PCMD 2020 service plan_Revenues and expenditures
PCMD Debt-pulled from p.37 of service plan

2) Neighborhood Saddened by Death of Central Park Woman

Neighbors passing the home of Jasmin Cigarroa, 24, in the 7800 block of E. 28th Ave. didn’t have to know her to know she was loved. The entrance to her home overflowed with candles and flowers and the neighborhood was plastered with posters that she was missing.

According to multiple news reports, she went missing on March 10 and her body was found March 12 in rural Adams County. On March 19, Cigarroa’s husband was charged with first-degree murder.

3) Credit Union of Colorado to Build Headquarters in Central Park

Credit Union of Colorado plans to build a new headquarters at 40th and Central Park Boulevard, near I-70 and the Central Park A line Station. The Credit Union, with more than 140,000 members throughout Colorado, is expected to open in late 2022. It will be a full-service branch with drive-up and ATM services. The building will be energy efficient and follow environmental construction practices.

4) 72 Income-Qualified Units Coming on Colfax

On March 8, City Council approved a series of contracts totaling $15,642,843 to provide much needed housing, shelter and services for people experiencing or transitioning out of homelessness, including some of the first expenditures from the new Homelessness Resolution Fund approved by Denver voters last November. One of the contracts, Valor on the Fax, is a 72-unit affordable housing development that may begin construction as early as this month at 7900 E. Colfax Ave. It will offer supportive housing to individuals transitioning from homelessness, with a focus on residents who have suffered from a brain injury. The apartments will be income restricted to households earning up to 30 percent of the area median income.

City Update

5) Denver Acquires New Mountain Park

On March 1, the City Council approved adding Axton Ranch Mountain Park to the City’s Mountain Park System. The land was donated to Denver by the Axton family after four generations of operating the land as a cattle ranch since 1954. With conifer and aspen stands, meadows, ponds, a small creek and a trail constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, it is located near 14,000 acres of adjoining public land and is adjacent to the Roosevelt National Forest and near the Arapahoe National Forest, Golden Gate Canyon State Park and Jefferson County Open Space. A plan will be developed for the park’s long-term vision, including environmental education and programming opportunities for adults and children.

6) New Public Bathroom Being Installed Downtown

The new public restrooms on Champa (one standard, one ADA compliant) just off 16th St. are anticipated to be available for public use this spring after utility connections are completed. An attendant will be present during operational hours and the restrooms will have touchless entrances, hand sanitizer stations and space to queue. The new facility, measuring approximately 18’ x 7.5’ is installed in what was previously a parking area.