Speaker 0: Tennis.
Speaker 1: Tonight's Final Two has passed. Our third public hearing tonight is for Council Bill 471. And I want to remind my colleagues at the conclusion of this public hearing will be the opportunity to vote on Council Bill 470, the kind companion bill. So please do not bolt out after this last public hearing. So, Councilwoman, can we please put Council Bill for 71 on the floor?
Speaker 0: Thank you, Mr. President. I move that council bill 471 be placed upon final consideration and do pass.
Speaker 1: In has been moved and seconded. The public hearing for Council Bill for 71 is now open. May we have staff report?
Speaker 0: Good evening, Mr. President. Members of council again. My name is Tracy Huggins. I'm the executive director of the Denver Urban Renewal Authority. I know it has been a long day, starting with the mayor state of the city in a long night. I would ask that you hang in there with us for another 15 minutes or so while we bring forward a proposed amendment to the Walton Corridor, Urban Redevelopment Plan. And that is why we are here this evening to request your consideration of the amendment to the Walton Corridor Urban Redevelopment Plan to add the 2300 Welton Street Project as an approved project and create the 2300 Welton Street property tax increment area. The Walton Carter Urban Redevelopment Area was established in 2012 to encourage redevelopment along the Walton corridor. The urban redevelopment area is comprised of approximately 29 blocks, generally and approximately bounded by Broadway Street on the West Glenarm Place and 24th Avenue on the South Downing Street on the east and on the north by either California street or the alley alley between Walton and California streets. At the time the Urban Redevelopment Plan was approved, no projects were identified. However, the plan allowed for future projects to request tax increment assistance and contemplated tax increment areas that would be approved as projects were brought forward within the urban redevelopment area. The project, being considered through an amendment to the Urban Redevelopment Plan is the redevelopment of the site located at 2300 Welton Street. The project site, which is primarily vacant, is bounded by Welton Street, Park Avenue, 24th Avenue and Glenarm Place. The project is comprised of two separate buildings. The larger of the two structures will span the entire block facing Welton Street between Park Avenue and 24th Avenue and contains 195 units. The smaller building will be situated on the corner of Glenarm Place and Park Avenue and contains 28 units. Project amenities will include a central courtyard fitness center, 24 hour secure keycard access, laundry facilities on each floor, bike storage and maintenance, space residents storage and a pet wash area. In total, the two buildings will yield 223 units, with an overall square footage of just over 268,000 square feet. The project will have 11 units designated for residents qualifying at 30% of the area, median income or AMI. With the remaining 212 units restricted to residents qualifying at 60% of AMI. The Urban Redevelopment Plan authorizes Derry to finance projects within the urban redevelopment area by the use of tax increment financing. The Urban Redevelopment Plan Amendment will add the 2300 Street Welton Street property tax increment area drew. A staff has reviewed the budgets and proforma submitted by the developer and believes there is a financing gap in the project of $769,000. This financing gap will be addressed to property tax increment generated by the redevelopment of the property. The site is currently owned by the developer who is paying approximately $69,000 per year in property taxes. This amount will constitute the base taxes from which property tax increment will be calculated. The estimated taxable value following redevelopment is anticipated to generate approximately $70,000 per year in net property tax increment. These incremental property tax revenues will be used to reimburse the developer for eligible expenses of the $769,000 over a period not to exceed 25 years. The Plan 2000 contains numerous objectives and policies relevant to the redevelopment of the Urban Redevelopment Area, which is designated as an area of change in Blueprint Denver, including conservation of land by promoting infill development within Denver at sites where services and infrastructure are already in place by designing mixed use communities and resident i. I'm sorry. By designing mixed use communities and reducing sprawl. And by creating more density at transit nodes. Encourage development of housing that meets the increasing diverse needs of Denver's present and future residents. Encourage quality infill development that is consistent with the character of the surrounding neighborhood, that offers, offers opportunities for increased density and more amenities. And that broadens the variety of compatible uses. Encourage mixed use trends aurion development that makes effective use of existing transportation infrastructure supports transit transit stations increases transit patronage, reduces the impact on the environment, and encourage encourages vibrant urban centers and neighborhoods. Identify areas in which increased density and new uses are desirable and can be accommodated. Focus incentives and design controls on private development, fronting major new, existing and historic roadway corridors. Continue to support mixed income housing development that includes affordable rental and for purchase housing for lower income, entry level and service employees, especially in downtown and along transit lines. Identify and capitalize on opportunities to develop housing along transit lines. Support a variety of housing opportunities for Denver's current and future workforce. And use public private partnerships to facilitate development and redevelopment projects that advance the city's goals and objectives. In particular, when appropriate, take advantage of the Urban Renewal Authority's powers and experience. In addition, the proposed project meets the following objectives of the Northeast Downtown Neighborhoods Plan, which has as its primary goal, quote, quite simply, to catalyze development, end quote. Those goals include high intensity development near downtown transit stations and along key streets, promote economic and housing diversity, and promote housing density, including structured parking. The general objectives of this urban redevelopment plan are to reduce or eliminate blighted conditions and to stimulate the continued growth and development of the urban redevelopment area. The proposed project meets the following objectives of the Weldon Corridor Urban Redevelopment Plan to eliminate the present and growing factors which contribute to the blight in the redevelopment area. Such blighting factors are detrimental to the community and represent an economic liability to the city. To renew and improve the character and environment of the urban redevelopment area and its surroundings by preventing or ameliorating economic, physical and environmental deterioration. Encourage residential retail and commercial development and redevelopment that is socially and economically inclusive and from which the urban redevelopment area and its environs can draw economic strength to more effectively use underdeveloped land within the urban redevelopment area. Encourage land use patterns within the urban redevelopment area and its environs, which will reduce dependance upon private automobiles for transportation. To encourage land use patterns within the urban redevelopment area and its environs, where pedestrians are safe and welcome to encourage the participation of existing property owners within the urban redevelopment area in the redevelopment of their property. Encourage high and moderate density density development where appropriate, including structured parking, and to promote a diverse mix of dense housing options. There are a number of other findings that are required by the Colorado Urban Renewal Law. Of the 2300 Welton Street Project is located within the 2300 BLOCK Welton Corridor Urban Redevelopment Area, and will promote the objectives set forth in the Walton Corridor Urban Redevelopment Plan. A feasible method exists for relocation of displaced individuals and families and business concerns. The project area contains no residences. Therefore, no individuals or families will be displaced. Additionally, due to the vacancy of this site, no business concerns will be displaced by the project. Written notice of this public hearing has been provided to all property owners, residents and owners of business concerns in the resolution setting this public hearing. City Council requested thorough to undertake this task. Written notice was mailed first class mail to all known property owners, residents and owners of business concerns in the Welton Corridor, Urban Redevelopment Area on June 12th, 2013, which is at least 30 days prior to this public hearing. The statute requires that no more than 120 days have passed since the first public hearing before City Council on the Plan Amendment. Tonight is the first public hearing before Council on this Urban Redevelopment Plan Amendment. The statute also requires that two years must elapse before council can consider an urban redevelopment plan amendment if they previously failed to approve an urban renewal plan amendment for this project. This is the first consideration by City Council of an Urban Redevelopment Plan amendment for this project. Also, the plan amendment contains no property that was included in a previously submitted urban redevelopment plan amendment that was not approved by the City Council. As such, the requirement to wait at least 24 months since any prior public hearing is inapplicable. Conformance with the Denver Comprehensive Plan. On June 18th, 2014, the Denver Planning Board unanimously found that the proposed amendment to the Walton Corridor Urban Redevelopment Plan conforms to the Denver Comprehensive Plan and applicable supplements. A letter to this effect has been submitted as part of the record of this hearing. Thorough request. The City Council concur with that finding. The Walton Corridor Urban Redevelopment Plan, as amended by the proposed amendment, will afford maximum opportunity consistent with the sound needs of Denver as a whole for the rehabilitation or redevelopment of the Welton Corridor . Urban Redevelopment Area by Private Enterprise. 2300 Welton LLC, an affiliate of Century Development, is the owner and a private development entity who intends to undertake the redevelopment project. This amendment to the Walton Corridor Urban Redevelopment Plan contains provisions for property tax increment financing. Accordingly, Denver Public Schools District One has been permitted to participate in an advisory capacity with respect to the inclusion in the plan of the tax allocation provisions authorized by Section 3120 5107419 of the Colorado Urban Renewal Law. Denver Public Schools has provided a letter of support for the Plan, amendment and the use of tax increment financing. A copy of this letter has been submitted as part of the record of this public hearing. Finally, the city and county of Denver can adequately finance and agreements are in place to finance any additional city and county of Denver infrastructure and services required to serve redevelopment within the 2300 Welton Street Urban Redevelopment Area Project area for the period during which the incremental property taxes are paid to the authority. The plan allows for cooperative agreements between the city and borough to address additional infrastructure requirements in city services should they arise. In closing, there is very pleased to work with the city and county of Denver to bring forward this project. The redevelopment of this site and the delivery of 223 affordable housing units near downtown and along an existing transit corridor captures many city wide goals, objectives and strategies that are found in the Denver Comprehensive Plan, Northeast Downtown Neighborhoods Plan and the Wilton Corridor Urban Redevelopment Plan. Projects like this are exactly the type of redevelopment that was intended when this urban redevelopment area was established two years ago. The ability to secure an additional five years of affordability for the 11 units reserved for persons earning not more than 30% of AMR. I am I as part of the tax increment financing commitment is another benefit of this project. We asked for your favorable consideration of this amendment, and I will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Ms.. Huggins. We have seven speakers for this, and I'm going to go ahead and have all call off them names and please come up to the to your seats and we'll go and order. Mr. SNYDER. Ms.. Winchester, Mr. Saca, Mr. Miller's Mr. Trekker, Mr. Schlanger and Ms.. Glassmaker so you can come on up to those that are still here, that are still would like to speak to this front pew and we going to start with Mr. Snyder. Actually, I think. Mr. Snyder. Okay. Then the next person will be Ms.. Winter. No, no. I know.
Speaker 2: The other, Mr..
Speaker 8: President, and City Council members. I just want to say that I'm here available for questions either from city council or from whomever. We've been working on this development for quite some period of time. And quite honestly, without the help of Durham, we wouldn't be able to get this into the endzone. So it's very important for me and for us. So I'll sit down if someone has any questions or someone here would like to ask any.
Speaker 1: Questions, and we'll do the questions after all the speakers. Mr. SNYDER. Thank you. Ms.. Winchester Yeah.
Speaker 6: Mr. President, members of the City Council. My name is Tracy Winchester. I'm the executive director of the Five Points Business District. We are located at 2444 Washington Street in the heart of the historic district of Five Points. On behalf of the Five Points Business District Board of Directors, I'm here in support of this development project and also to talk about all of the many hearings and planning meetings that Brant Snyder had last year in coming up to this point in time. We support his efforts to meet with San Rafael, Curtis Park, Enterprise Hill and the Five Points Business District. Neighbors Register Neighborhood Associations. Numerous, numerous meetings were held at our neighborhood last summer, and even as recently, Dora had a community meeting on July 1st. We support his efforts to bring affordable housing to the Five Points Business Corridor. Our recent revitalization strategy cited affordable housing as a necessary component to attract and maintain the population that is eager to live within our urban neighborhood. Residential developments, such as his will bring new consumers, new revenue streams and activities that will support commercial redevelopment. We also are appreciative of the fact that he is working with Mile High United Way because they are about to open up their new building in September of this year. And even last year he met with the president of Mile High United Way to talk about identifying landscape that will look complementary and create this gateway into our historic district. So this has been taking a long time coming, and I'm glad we're here at this point. I also wanted to mention a little bit about the fact that last year some of the concerns that the community had was the fact that it was affordable housing. A lot of our residents feel that we have enough affordable housing in the area because of our shelters, because of our Section eight housing. And really what we did is we took the time to explain exactly what affordable housing means in this particular instance. And what we're talking about is 60% AMI. Well, of course, we had two ends of the spectrum, 60%. AMI was great, but some people thought that was too high. And so it's very nice to know that in this particular project in front of you today, we have at least 5% of the units that are being designated at 30% AMI. So this has really been reflective of what the community has asked for, and I'm very appreciative of that for bringing this to our area. Thank you for your time.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr. Sekou.
Speaker 7: James Jacob Black. Social Action Movement. Self-defense advocate. Poor, working, poor and homeless people. You got to be kidding me. For real? I don't see no financial numbers on the screen. When we asked in our community meeting that we had at five points at the gas station. What were the numbers in terms of how much per month is the studio going to rent? How much per month is a two bedroom going to rent? How much is a three bedroom? I didn't got the numbers real. You don't know what you're going to rent. Come on, yo. And then you tell me about a community outreach. What time did we have the meeting? In the five points. 6:00. During rush hour traffic with the masses of the people can't even get there. Come on, y'all. Talk to me. About what? Outreach in rush hour traffic. And you have one.
Speaker 3: Five people there at the meeting out of the entire neighborhood. Five.
Speaker 7: So we go. Now we're talking about living authentically. And stop lying. There was no community meeting at rush hour traffic. Now you kill me online. Tell me. I'm like like there ain't no community meeting here.
Speaker 3: At 530 doing rush hour traffic. Tell me I'm lying.
Speaker 7: And it's institutionalized. Hate is okay. Yo! Woo woo! You satisfied the letter of the law? Really? Come on, give me a break with this and then ask the developer, how much money are you putting in to this cash compared to the $43 million you got in loans and this and that from this agency and that agency. And then what happens? The city council, we get all leverage in on this thing. It goes under he turns it into a syndicate and then run it off on taxes for the next 30, 40 years if it don't work. But does he lose his land? Do we get the land if there's don't work? So let's look at the details of this thing, because that's what happens to us. We get caught up in these kind of real estate deals where we're all in and a little bit out and then it goes under and then you have to renegotiate the loan. Otherwise, you look absolutely ridiculous spending the taxpayers money. And then who's going to pay for this? The people who run it, that's the taxpayer. So now he's going to pay interest loans and all the rest of that money that's given to him. The building.
Speaker 1: Is there. Thank you. Your time is up. Are you kidding me? Thank you for your. Thank you for your comments. David Miller's. Good evening.
Speaker 2: Y'all are troopers. It's late. My name is David Millis. I live at 426 24th Street in five points. And I appreciate the opportunity. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. President, for letting me speak briefly. I'm going to reduce my points to a very short amount of time in the interest of keeping y'all awake. My concerns with the project really boil down to a couple of things. One is we've talked about a diversity of housing needs, which is which is true. 223 units of affordable units in one place is a lot. As was pointed out, I live about a block from the from the project site. I've got various a variety of low income units all around. We have a lot of submarket housing units in our area. I understand the need, but in this case I would actually suggest a higher diversity of of housing would be useful. I mean, a mix of both market and affordable would be helpful for this quarter. The other thing I really wanted to mention is the size, the size of the project. The structure itself is a five story, a couple of structures, five stories tall, which dwarfs everything else in the area. This particular area, the the what we think of as the historic Welton district, the Wealth Street District, there is nothing higher than three stories. Most of the buildings in our neighborhood are one, two and three stories tall, including the new library that we really like. Right. So the library fits in nicely with the character of the neighborhood itself. This picture building, again, architecturally, it's just too tall. It doesn't really architecture doesn't try to, I don't know, respect or fit in or make any nods to the historical nature of the of the block itself, of the of the neighborhood, the Welton Quarter itself in this case. And I'm going to paraphrase another Mayor.
Speaker 1: Hickenlooper.
Speaker 2: Who pointed out, you can't create historic. So once we kind of build all sorts of other stuff around and ruin the characteristic of the neighborhood, it's gone. So I, I understand the need for the to redevelop. And, in fact, I'm excited about the redeveloping the neighborhood. I'm excited about five points being redeveloped. I love my neighborhood. I understand the need for affordable housing. I just asked to be careful before we right here at the entrance to this wonderful historic Welton corridor, for we put something that is maybe architecturally could be a little better, could show a little more honor, a little more respect for the corridor itself. Thank you for your time.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr. Miller. Matthew. And I apologize if I may speak this trucker. TR It's written to RC okay, so guys left and he has left. All right. Next we have Schneider, Tim Slinger, who's left as well, and then our last speaker, Ms.. Glass Glassmaker.
Speaker 6: Again. I'm Sue Glass Maker. I'm here representing Curtis Park Neighbors, a registered neighborhood organization. It's really surprising to hear some of this because we have quite a different view at Curtis Park Neighbors, our some of our neighbors worked on the development of the urban redevelopment area and back three years ago, and we were involved in that. We were updated on that. We knew what was going on and we wanted that to go on because it's about time for well to get developed. It's overdue, way overdue. And that's part of our neighborhood. And so we don't have that. We support it as a neighborhood organization. We supported the creation of this district unanimously. We also were involved. We were invited in to be part of the design process, and we did have a lot of influence and say on this design. Now the design you see here tonight doesn't do what the final was going to look like, doesn't do justice to it. But this is not part of the historic area. It is part of the commercial area, but not the historic area. So it can go up. This is zoning here can go up much higher than the four stories that it's slated to. We were delighted with having four stories. We think that's very acceptable across the street. The neighborhood spearheaded by John Haden and Keith Prior Reed we did got the park across the street, sunny Gotham Park, which was a problem park got it redeveloped and it's doing beautifully right now. And we want to keep it that way until this project is built. And it was designed with we designed with this project in mind to attract the residents over to that park and keep it safe for everybody. Now to the question of affordable housing. It's always a powder keg because we do have a lot of affordable and low income housing in the area. However, it always has. We believe that it has to be balanced off. And you can you need mixed income and a block away from this development is another development in the on the books it's coming to pretty soon and it has 100 market rate units. And right across the street on park are another 30 units going in right now. So this is how you make mixed income. Mixed income neighborhoods. You balance it off. It has to be balanced. And we have no problem with affordable housing here.
Speaker 1: 3 minutes is all right.
Speaker 6: So Curtis Park neighbors definitely supports this.
Speaker 1: Thank you. And thank you to all of you speakers for your patience. We are now moving on to questions from members of the council, and I'm starting with Councilman Brooks.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to bring up Brett Snyder for just a second. And Brant, to the question of the 60%. Am I. Do you do you know the rents for your particular units for the 221, 223 212 60%. And my units in the 11:30 a.m. I.
Speaker 8: I believe that are because I when I I usually have to carry the list with me because I'm so focused on other items. But I think with our price.
Speaker 2: He has it right there. Thank you, Mr. Gibson. Switching agencies right there. Thank you, Chris.
Speaker 8: Okay. For our at 60%, our one bedrooms are 806 are no. Our studios are $806 a month. Our one bedrooms are 921. Our two bedrooms are 1000. 37 are now I'm sorry, our thousand 37 are the three bedrooms. And at 30%, they start at 400, $403 for a studio, $461 for a one bedroom and 518 for a three bedroom.
Speaker 2: And the deed restriction of the property, it depends also on how many.
Speaker 8: Heads you have. One is 20 plus years.
Speaker 2: 20 plus years. But if there is a single, single mom with two kids like. It depends. Right. It rests down. That's correct. Can you. LSD, what you would have to make for some of these units?
Speaker 8: Well, generally, just broadly speaking, we're around 30 to $35000, if you want.
Speaker 2: Okay. Yeah. Tracy. Yeah.
Speaker 0: It's always difficult when you when you hand someone else your. Your own spreadsheet. So. So, Councilman Brooks, if I if I'm understanding your your question correctly, you want to understand what basically 30%. And so for different family sizes.
Speaker 2: Yeah, so we got the rents. So now that we understand that, so the community can understand that. So the number the individual what they have to make.
Speaker 0: So a single person to qualify at the 30% AMI can't make more than $16,110 a year. Family size of two is $18,420. Family size of three is $20,730, and a family size of four is $20,010. Comparatively, at the 60% AMI level one, a single person at 60% AMI can earn no more than $32,220. A two person family $36,840. Three people 41,000 for 60 and for people $46,020.
Speaker 2: Perfect. Thank you. And Brant, let me just ask you one more question. Did you get any letters of support from I know you met with San Rafael, the Hospital Design Forum. Many of those folks were supportive. I'm just wondering if they wrote your letter support.
Speaker 8: We have one from the Hospital Design Forum and also from Curtis Park neighbors.
Speaker 2: Okay, great. Four and five points. All right. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Councilman Brooks, Councilman Lopez.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Mr. President. I do have one question, and it really speaks to the breakdown of the units and how many you have terms of the bedrooms. Is one unit or was each unit is either a one bedroom, two bedroom or three bedroom, correct?
Speaker 8: That's correct.
Speaker 2: How many units do you have breaking down? I know, I know. I've asked this question before and I don't have it in front of me, but I'm just I'm just wondering percentage wise or just the raw numbers, how many units do you have that right?
Speaker 8: Well, we have 22 studios. We have 109 one bedrooms.
Speaker 2: We have added.
Speaker 8: Two bedrooms and we have four.
Speaker 2: Three bedrooms. And if I may ask you, what was the reason? And, you know, my concern here and what the question doesn't seem to be marketed towards families. I mean, it's with that many three bedrooms, you only have three bedrooms compared to 109 plus 22 single families that maybe just two people, maybe three pushing it. So when you compare three to the 109 plus 22 and then you have 82 bedrooms, what was the purpose for creating that many? Either 109 or 22 studio and one bedroom units as opposed to more. Right. So why it so heavy on that on that one bed, one in one bedroom, the studio side?
Speaker 8: Well, because, quite honestly, the majority of our tenants are single and they're starting out in their working careers working downtown. And they're not in the family formation stage yet.
Speaker 2: Do we? I mean, so it was geared towards those numbers. Do you have that kind of data?
Speaker 8: Well, I'm scared. We have at Broadway Plaza, we have 223 units where I currently office. And when we did that, we had a majority. It was more lean towards one bedrooms over the course of a mature maturing on that property. Now we we have a waiting list for two bedrooms. So we expanded the number of two bedrooms that we were going to have. But we also went ahead and decided we would go ahead and have some three bedroom units as well. But we don't typically I right now I don't know the number of children we have in our building, but I very seldom see them because the closer you get to the central business district, quite honestly, the fewer you see because of the infrastructure where you have to go to schools and things like that. And right after I got married, I lived downtown at the Windsor, the Windsor Gardens, and we were there about nine months and we were already thinking about children. And my wife said, no, and we love downtown, but she said, No, I like to have a yard and and trees and things like that. So it's a little bit different lifestyle when you're the closer you get to the downtown area, it's it's challenging.
Speaker 2: We're still talking about five points and five points. Is a lot of families correct?
Speaker 8: Yes, I do.
Speaker 2: And I'm just I'm just wondering why it was geared towards, you know, the pushes for the studio and the one bedroom. And you look at the need in our city. There's a lot of families that do not have. Units to rent. I mean, it's sparse. And when we look at building affordable housing, I mean, I don't know when you sat down to look at that. I miss. I'm just puzzled why when we're using the tax credits and building affordable housing, that we're not taking that into account. And I really wish that when we develop this kind of housing, are we looking at the whole picture and really look at the need to meet that need? It's you know, I think there's discussions of a affordable. I mean, there's plans to build a very similar affordable housing project and the number of three bedrooms and this is in district three off Alameda and Irving and a number of three bedroom units is a dramatic increase from this. It's a stark difference. And the more I you know, I think we have a school in downtown, I think and it's not downtown. It's five points in five points. We have schools of children. We have Mestizo Curtis Park Pool. It's very family friendly is where people move to raise families as well, too. I'm just I'm just wondering what what got those numbers there? Why is it why didn't we meet that need, if that's a definite need? So I appreciate I appreciate your answer.
Speaker 1: So thank you, Councilman Lopez. Councilwoman Ortega.
Speaker 6: I just have a quick question for you, Mr. Snyder, about the number of parking spaces that you're planning to provide for the two structures, or is the parking different for this smaller building than it is for the large building, or is it all being treated as one property, one project?
Speaker 8: Well, it's all being treated as one one development, and all the parking is underneath the large building. And for 223 units, we have 207 parking spaces.
Speaker 6: Okay. And I'm trying to remember what bus service is in the area, is there? I can't remember. Are there busses, Tracy, that run along Park Avenue?
Speaker 1: Seriously. If you had one, can you come up to the microphone, please?
Speaker 6: I have to admit, Councilwoman Ortega, that I'm not familiar with Park Avenue, the bus line that runs along there. But I know that we do have transfers over at 30th and Downing that you can grab the bus there. But I'm not familiar enough with the bus lines on Park Avenue West.
Speaker 1: Councilwoman Ortega, I think Councilman Brooks has an answer for you. Yeah.
Speaker 2: And I think I think David might know the exact bus line, but obviously this is right on the light. Right? Right, right. Light rail line. That goes right to the main kind of bus terminal for all of five points at 30th and Downing. And that's where most a majority of the individuals in neighborhood pick up. But. Okay.
Speaker 6: Great. Thank you.
Speaker 1: That was a council meeting. Just like any other questions from members of council. Seen the public hearing for 471 is now closed. We are moving to our comments and we're starting with Councilman Brooks.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Mr. President. 2012 September. Many of my colleagues may remember you may not remember we were setting up our urban renewal area for Welton, and this was the vision of it, that we would have diverse opportunities for housing, that we'd have some entertainment opportunities, that we would get redevelopment opportunities on. Welton And this project is the first to come through. And so I'm really excited about that. It's a it's been a labor of love. Brant, thank you for for working so hard on this and Tracy for working so hard. There's already has been involved in this. Tracy Winchester from Five Points Business District has been incredible on this. You know, there's a lot of concerns. I mean, I had the questions like, why has development been so tough in five points? And I think as you all are starting to hear some of these public hearings, you're starting to see some of the some of the conflict. There's a there's a portion of the population that feels like we shouldn't have any more affordable housing. As David began to share sentiments. And there's some data that shows that of our rental units in five points, 30% of it is all the restricted and affordable. But what if you look into that a little bit deeper, you understand that some of those deed restricted units and and land is starting to come up in the next 5 to 10 years and it will be market rate units in housing. So we're trying to keep a balance of this gentrified movement that's come into this area at a very, very quick clip. Speed and housing prices that are going up very high in the Curtis Park neighborhood in San Rafael in the Enterprise Hill neighborhood, and saying what does the balance look like for affordability to all? So it's been a tough balance, but we're trying to strike it. Right. I think someone mentioned the next development that you all see at 25th in Walton will be a market rate project, which is a beautiful project, five storeys, but will have all market market rate housing, which at a at a 95% AMI type of level or 90. We'll see when the numbers come in when just ten blocks down the road, all of the rental units are at about 115%. Ami. So I feel like we're we're trying to get it get it right. And it's been a struggle. But I think folks need to know that we're not trying to rush got run roughshod all over the market and and throw this housing anywhere but we're trying to make sure that we were getting the housing where people really need it, too. Councilman Lopez, this point of the the three units, I think it's a good one. I think it's important to to remind folks that, you know, 50 almost 50% of the units are two bedroom. And I'm glad that we got to that place. Obviously, a piece of what Brian's trying to do is serve the market where he currently is. But I think there's there's there's a question about land and space at the Park Hill units that we just approved. We have a number of three bedroom units in District eight, but they had quite a bit more land to work with . And so it's all of these things. And Councilman Lopez, I would assume that you have a little bit more land where you are and the footprint isn't quite as tight as we were working on this project. Brant had the opportunity to go up to eight storeys, but because of cost and because of construction, he could only go up to five. And so there's some there's some things to consider here. But your point is a good one is well taken and it's something that we're definitely looking at. One more thing I want to point out, to Brent's credit and Sue Glass Maker is the design of the building. Anyone knows that if they're doing a development in Curtis Park, they are about to get schooled on landmarking, on design, on architecture, and Brant and Curtis Park and Sue and Joe Noble all really worked on this design and went through many, many iterations and they came out with a beautiful design that I really think is going. To be great on five points. And if you think about 2013, Walton, you look across the street and you see about $200,000 of improvements. And Sunny lost some part the baseball field and also a new playground and workout facility that's over there by Blair Caldwell. And you look across the street and you see one of the premiere nonprofits in In the City. It's really exciting to see that whole block come alive. And all of that was due to OED, Dora and all of these partnerships coming together. So in the next couple of years, you're really going to see a lot of exciting things. And I will also tell counsel and and folks out in the public that this is not the last TIFF application, that there are other folks who have come to the table. And hopefully in the next year, year and a half, you will see a number of of projects within one mile radius of of this project are now on water. I hope that my colleagues will support this long and arduous part process and partnership. It's been a good one.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Councilman Brooks. Councilman Lopez.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Mr. President. I wanted to thank you for for working in this area to make sure that there is a good stock of affordable housing. The problem in this city is, as it's success, as we grow as a city, as we become more economically viable and stronger and always bring more business to Denver, more people want to come here, more people want to be a part of it, and that's a good thing. And sometimes it can be a force and it can be a negative thing. And I always say that in this context, because there are a lot of people in this city that have always called Denver home and have called this neighborhood our neighborhoods in the West Side and North Denver home that can now no longer be able to afford not even a single one bedroom apartment, let alone a home. And that although some people may say it's good for business, it's a strong market. It's bad at our core. It doesn't take that into account and we had to balance that. And the only way we balance that is in we have a hand in the matter. We have we have already and we have the tools available for us to be able to help balance. I'm a city councilman now, but you go back a good 30 years ago, I'd even say 20 years ago, and I shared a two bedroom duplex in my family of six with three younger sisters and my parents. And that's just about as good as a guy in Barnum. In Westwood, in Valverde of almost every single neighborhood that I represent, excluding Sun Valley. We've never had more than that many bedrooms as far as I can remember. I think at one point I slept in a tent in my grandmother's backyard because it was just too darn expensive and because everybody who wanted a three bedroom place were jumping all over each other for it. The demand was big then. I assume with a lot of folks who have lost their homes in the recession. A lot of families. Whose parents were either out of work or coming back into it, back into the market, or trying to stay in their neighborhoods. That is the case still in, Councilman Brooks, in this area. And in five points. It's it's so diverse. Not just. Demographically speaking ethnicity but also sizes of families. Income gaps. Right in one area, you have very expensive homes. Summary You have projects. Right. So the population is there. All you got to do is go to the pool at Mestizo Curtis Park and you see these wonderful, beautiful kids. I call this neighborhood at home. Same goes in my Alma and Lincoln Park. Same goes in Villa Park or in the North Side. Right. As a city, we have to plan better. And we have to encourage development that has not just one bedroom or studio for our kids that are in college or singles still. You know, they're either poor in coffee or working at a bar late at night or, you know, doing side jobs here or there or doing all three right, trying to put themselves in school. But families families that make part of the create this the soul of Denver. Right. And it's not just about, you know, the creative class downtown. In Highlands for some of these areas in West Colfax. What about those families? Right. I call Denver home. We have to be able to create enough units. Three better, two better and above. For them to be able to call Denver home and keep this truly affordable and truly guided, to take all of those families who are in a Samaritan House and other areas. A lot of families are homeless. A lot of women and children, many children, families who are homeless because they cannot find anything else right in their squeeze out of that market. So I'm advocating for making sure that we do have that stock built. We're encouraging our developers that we're using our dollars that we're delivering away from the schools in the best interest of some of those kids. Right. And so I'm absolutely in support of this because it fills that gap that we need. But I want to really encourage my point. So thank you. I appreciate the time.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Councilman Lopez. Seen no other comments? We will vote on 471 and then remind my council members we will be voting on the companion bill 470 right after that. So 471 Madam Secretary, Roger Brooks.
Speaker 0: I fox i Herndon sorry can each by Laman.
Speaker 6: Lopez.
Speaker 0: All right. Montero, I never i. Ortega, i. Rob I. Mr. President. Hi.
Speaker 1: Madam Secretary. Please, both of you announced results tonight. Tonight for 71 has passed and now for the. Are there any comments on the companion bill council bill 470. Approving the cooperation agreement for the 2301 property tax increment area.
INFORMATION ONLY:  Approves an amendment to the Welton Corridor Urban Redevelopment Plan for the 2300 Welton Project to establish a Property Tax Increment Area to support the Project in Council District 8.   (HEALTH SAFETY EDUCATION AND SERVICES) The last reguarly scheduled Council meeting within the 30-day review period is on    .  The Committee approved filing this bill at its meeting on 6-3-14.