Residents and stakeholders in Southwest Denver are gearing up to embark on a landmark journey to draft a long-term vision for their communities. The Denver Community Planning and Development has initiated the third phase of the Neighborhood Planning Initiative, aiming to put neighborhood plans in place for the Southwest and Far Southwest Area Plan, a plan that is expected to guide city decision-making for the next two decades. In a push to inclusively address area-specific challenges and desires, the planning team has extended an invitation to locals, business owners, and community leaders to partake in this civic engagement process, as per DCPD.
At the initiative's launch, Community Planning and Development Executive Director Manish Kumar expressed honor in, "to work alongside them," meaning the residents awaiting this pivotal juncture, as per DCPD. His sentiment fits snugly with the initiative's priority to construct plans that mirror community values and aspirations. Council Member Jamie Torres reinforced the initiative's significance, highlighting the empowerment and improvement in quality of life it promises, according to the city's announcement.
The Far Southwest Area is to witness the first spark of community engagement with a kickoff event scheduled for Tuesday, August 27 at the Church of All Saints. The neighborhoods of Bear Valley, College View, Fort Logan, Harvey Park, Harvey Park South, and Marston, all south of Jewell Avenue and west of the South Platte River are drafted for inclusion in this long-term visionary drafting.
Following suit, the Southwest Area Plan will also be unfurled with a community kickoff event slated for Wednesday, September 11 at the Westwood Community Center. This phase will encompass Athmar Park, Mar Lee, Overland, Ruby Hill, and Westwood. At these events, city planners will elucidate the planning process and rally feedback on draft ideas concerning each providing a conduit for residents to directly influence the trajectory of their neighborhoods, Council Member Flor Alvidrez noted in her emphasis on the importance of community voice.
According to DCPD, the Neighborhood Planning Initiative is not just about immediate engagement, the city pledges to deliver specific planning guidance for all Denver neighborhoods. These area plans serve as an arm of the Comprehensive Plan and Blueprint Denver, designed to carry out a citywide vision through a focused, locale-sensitive lens. With a development timeframe stretching across 18 months, these plans take shape through intensive community dialogue before going up for review and ratification by the Denver Planning Board and City Council.
