Volume 54, Issue No. 10
A Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. Publication
October 2015
At-Large School Board Candidates Highlight Their Differences Newcomer Robert Speth Hopes To Unseat Allegra “Happy” Haynes In the Nov. 3 election, Park Hill residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on one race in the Denver Public Schools Board of Education. Incumbent Happy Haynes and challenger Robert Speth are running for the open at-large position. Haynes, who was sworn in as the new
Artist rendering at 47th Avenue Festival Street and Elyria Plaza in front of the Exhibition Hall. Credit: Parsons Brinkerhoff
Critical Issues Up For Vote Include National Western & College Scholarships What You Need To Know for Nov. 3 Later this month and early next, Denverites vote on taxes, School Board candidates, revenue sharing with Adams County, and college scholarships. “There are 346,595 Registered Voters and we never predict turnout,” says Alton Dillard of the Denver Clerk and Recorder’s office. “All eligible voters receive a ballot in the
mail and have numerous options by which and city council. to return them.” 2C: $1 Billion for the NaIf past recent elections tional Western & Convention are any indication, less Center than one-third of those Referendum 2C – “Revenue Dave Felice Bonds and Tax Extension, Naeligible are likely to vote. Fewer than 90,000 people voted in the latest election for mayor continued on page 10
City Matters
What The Heck Happened To Quebec? A Slow Trip Down Denver’s Most Maddening Traffic-Jammed Street By Dennis Royer
Exclusive to the Greater Park Hill News
Historically, Quebec Street has always been planned as an important element of the transportation network. In the 1960s it was planned as a freeway connecting Interstate 270 to Interstate 25 in southeast Denver. The Colorado Highway Department (CDOH) abandoned this plan as too difficult and too expensive and built Interstate 225 in then-undeveloped Aurora. Even so, an interchange was still being designed as late as 1982 at 32nd Avenue (later Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard) as access into the Stapleton terminal. This changed in the 1980s, when the Pena Administration decided to relocate the airport. At this point Quebec Street became a major arterial, serving the redevelopments with direct access to I-70 via an interchange. Other than improvements adjacent to the two redevelopment areas, little if anything has been done to improve this major arterial. Planning for Quebec improvements began under the Webb Administration, but
Greater Park Hill News: What experience(s) do you have with DPS that prompted your school board run? Haynes: Having nearly completed a four-year term on the DPS Board with two of those years as Board President, I am seeking re-election to a second term to accelerate the progress that has been made to boost student achievement and school quality and to drive additional innovation and change where current strategies and practices are not working effectively. I am proud of the work I helped to lead that
Join your neighbors to socialize, honor this year’s Babb’s Award recipient, and elect new board members.
Dennis Royer, at rush hour at Quebec Street and Montview Boulevard. Photo by Cara DeGette
13 Spots To Stop For Art Oct. 16-18
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Controversial Poo At The Zoo Plan Shelved
executive director of Denver Parks and Recreation on Sept. 8, said that, if elected to the school board, she would serve the full four-year term. “I cannot foresee any circumstances short of health or family issues that would change that.” Haynes and Speth, who works in the telecommunications industry, responded to 10 questions submitted by the Greater Park Hill News. Here are their responses.
The Greater Park Hill Annual meeting is Thursday, Oct. 8, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Park Hill Golf Course Clubhouse, at Colorado Boulevard and 35th Avenue.
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Inside This Issue
continued on page 8
GPHC Education Chair
continued on page 12
History of inaction
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October 2015
Supposed to be a freeway
Lynn Kalinauskas
You Won’t Want To Miss This!
If you live on the east side of Denver, you are without a doubt aware of the importance – and the frustrations – of Quebec Street. Travelling north-south is a difficult proposition, especially during peak commuting times. Along the two-lane segments of Quebec, it can be maddening the majority of the time. Colorado Boulevard and Havana Street are three and a half miles apart. Typically, you would find at least two-, four- or six-lane arterials in that distance, but not in Denver. From downtown to Havana Street there are only three arterials: University Boulevard/York/Josephine at four lanes, Colorado Boulevard at six lanes and Monaco Parkway at four lanes over a distance of six-and-ahalf miles. The development of roadways in East Denver was restricted for decades by the existence of Stapleton Airport and Lowry Air Force Base. The closure of both facilities in the mid 1990s, and subsequent redevelopment of these areas, has allowed for the elimination of these restrictions. As its first major infrastructure improvement, the Lowry Redevelopment Authority eliminated the missing connection between First Avenue and Alameda Parkway, creating a continuous Quebec Street to Hampden Av-
enue. Congestion at Monaco and Alameda was immediately reduced.
schools Update
Inaction And Opportunities After The Floods
Guest Speaker is John Olson of Historic Denver. Everyone is welcome. For more info: 303-388-0918.
Next GPHC Meeting Thursday, Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m. Park Hill Golf Club 35th Ave. and Colorado Blvd
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