Denver is moving to scoop up a small vacant lot at 1028 N Acoma St. in the Golden Triangle and convert it into a neighborhood park, turning a onetime drive-thru credit union into badly needed green space. The roughly 0.4-acre site sits a block south of Civic Center Park and along the planned 5280 Trail, making it a rare open parcel in one of the city’s denser corners. City officials say the deal would carve out a true neighborhood park in an area that has gone years without one.
Deal On The Table
City records show a Purchase and Sale Agreement that pegs the price at $2,999,340, with a maximum contract amount of $3,019,340 to cover closing costs and a total appropriation of $3,195,280 from the Parks Legacy Fund. According to the Denver Legistar, the Finance and Business Committee signed off on the item on July 14, and the packet lists a targeted closing date of July 27. The city’s acquisition request also includes money for due diligence and a Vision Plan that will steer how the park is ultimately designed.
How The Lot Came Up
The lot is owned by local developer Fred Glick, who picked it up with investors in 2024 for about $1.8 million and had been eyeing retail or small-scale housing for the property. Glick told BusinessDen that he and his partners “believed in the neighborhood” and were open to letting the city take it over for public use. He floated the idea that a dog park would be a clear hit with neighbors, echoing local calls for more bite-sized green spaces around Civic Center.
Money And The Appraisal Gap
The numbers do not line up neatly. Denver’s assessor values the property at about $3.33 million, while a city appraisal pegged it at $2.5 million, a gap Glick called “mystifying.” In remarks reported by BusinessDen, Lisa Lumley, Denver’s director of real estate, said the city’s real estate deals “almost always are at or below appraised value,” but argued it was reasonable to pay more here because so few developable lots are left and demolition elsewhere could cost more. City staff says the premium reflects the scarcity of land and the chance to quickly lock in park space next to dense housing.
Timeline And Next Steps
The city’s packet says the acquisition advances Denver Parks & Recreation goals tied to its 5-Minute Walk or Roll standard and estimates the future park would close access gaps for roughly 3,800 households within a five-minute walk and about 10,100 households within a 10-minute walk. The presentation and resolution request are on file with Denver Legistar, which shows committee action on July 14, a City Council vote set for July 21, and a targeted closing later in July. If the deal gets across the finish line, the city will launch a Vision Plan process and community outreach, with design work and construction timelines to come after.
What It Means For The Golden Triangle
Even a sliver of new parkland would be a big deal in the Golden Triangle, a dense slice of the city south of downtown that has trailed other neighborhoods on walkable green space. Neighbors and city officials say chances to add parks here are rare, so this single parcel is one of the last real shots at expanding access near Civic Center. For now, the property remains private until the council signs off on the appropriation, and its future shape will hinge on the Vision Plan and what nearby residents say they want in their next pocket of green.
