Athmar Park

Around the Neighborhood ...

Jul 26, 2004

ALAMEDA SQUARE UPDATE
Denver Urban Renewal Authority (DURA) recently issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to find a developer for Alameda Square. Types of projects that will be considered are commercial, housing, or mixed use that incorporate both commercial and residential developments. Proposals must comply with design objectives of neighborhood plan(s) and/or design guidelines established by the City and create a development that is compatible with the character and scale of the existing neighborhood. DURA has said there will be an opportunity for community input as the submitted proposals are considered. Please, join the Economic Development Committee to participate in that process (contact info on back page).

On July 1st, Daniel Yim, the property owner of the old Organ Grinder site at ASSC, along with his consultant, David Cole, and his architect, Ray Ollett showed us the site plans for a 20,000 sq. ft., one story, brick, 17-unit retail development. The stores form an 'L' shape, with the long side along Alameda and the short side along Zuni. Entrances from two sides of each store: pedestrian access on the north and west from Alameda and Zuni as well as from a 26-car parking lot on the south side, inside the 'L'. The building has an old-fashioned look with awnings and nice landscaping per code. There is a recessed area along Zuni for dumpsters and truck delivery to PART of the development.

Because of a lawsuit filed by Hamid Simantob (the property owner of the back portion of ASSC), a planned July 8th groundbreaking for this redevelopment has been postponed as the parties attempt to negotiate. The lawsuit issues include:
- A 1978 contract between the property owners requiring all parties to approve any change to the footprint of any of the properties. Two of three owners do not agree on the Yim changes to the footprint of his building.
- The new building Yim has planned is built all the way to the east property line, abutting the Vu's. The required landscaping for Yim's project would be located, without permission, on the Vu's property.
- The size of the Yim development requires 80 parking spaces by code. He has room for 26. He is claiming parking easement rights to 80, but those encroach onto the Vu's land.
- The size of the new Yim building blocks the first curb cut entrance from Alameda into the Center as you pass Zuni, headed east. It closes that driveway off, putting all traffic onto Zuni and the other two Alameda entrances into the Center.

As we go to press, there is some hopeful news...the three owners are meeting to discuss a new development proposal which, if agreeable to all, may finally bring redevelopment to the whole Center.

OLD FAY MEYERS SITE
Lucy Dinneen, of Cadence Capital Development, will be attending our August 24th board meeting to discuss the redevelopment project at the corner of W. Alameda and S. Tejon, at the old Fay Meyers site. In the meantime, here's what is known:
- there will be two 7,000 sq. ft. retail buildings constructed of block and efface (stucco-ttype finish) with red window awnings.
- Cadence will be rebuilding the curb & gutters and putting in a 100-year drainage system and landscaping as required by the City.
- there will be a pedestrian feel from Alameda.
- Advance Auto Parts, a national auto parts chain, will be the main anchor in one building with an east entrance. Parking and entrances will be on the north-side for the other building.
- Other tenants signed to date are: Little Caesar Pizza, Wings Stop, and Ace Cash. Tentative tenants are a bank or a national sub shop.

The old buildings were demolished on July 10th. Construction of the new development should be completed in November.