Denver’s citywide elections are one year away. Typically that would mean a mayor gearing up for re- election by compiling supporter lists, a campaign team and testing a message. The challenger buzz would be in the air – phone calls, speeches, hints to the press.
But why bother? Word is John Hickenlooper will stroll to re-election. The popular first-term mayor – after wisely deciding to stay put instead of running for governor – continues to enjoy a perpetual honeymoon. Nobody is itching to run against him, no scandal lurks, no interest group whines and his approval ratings approach triple digits.
In short, the economy is up and homeless numbers are down. Though job creation is stagnant, building cranes are visible around the city and garbage gets picked up every week.
There are other good reasons why Hickenlooper deserves four more years: the strength of his Cabinet and senior staff. Regardless of how the mayor chooses to spend his honeymoon, it’s critical to keep these three – and several others – focused on Denver for four more years.
In his low-key, calm but determined way, Planning Director Peter Park is spearheading revolutionary changes that will transform the city into the place Denverites envision. Last month’s unanimous City Council legislative approval of Colfax Main Street zoning (Lincoln to Colorado Boulevard) is the key indicator of a new way of doing business.
Since the adoption of the 1956 zoning code, changes have been negotiated parcel-by-parcel, despite citizen-driven comprehensive and neighborhood plans. Zoning map changes are made by the City Council in a practice termed “quasi-judicial.” This means the council must remain impartial to the discussions behind every zoning change. Though the council participates in zoning language amendments, true city-shaping happens without their close involvement during map change negotiations. The strict neutrality required by a quasi-judicial vote precludes genuine leadership or the comprehensive realization of community-driven plans.
The result is zoning by incremental transaction instead of visionary implementation.
Denver’s zoning code is based on an old premise: Separation of use is in the public interest. Conventional zoning is a blunt tool defining use, minimum and maximum density, building height, lot dimension, building setbacks and parking. Zoning regulations are not effective tools for urban design, quality material or design excellence.
Because zoning cannot craft the fine grain of a block, neighborhood or district, Denver’s zoning protocol has produced a code that is illegible, filled with site-specific regulations. Far from ensuring predictability for the neighborhood or the developer, this custom zoning discourages innovation. As a result, too much is invested in negotiating and securing entitlements rather than great design and materials.
Park is determined to replace 50 years of a dysfunctional system with simple, transparent and predictable regulations that will result in the kind of urbanism citizens want: human-scaled, transparent at the street and pedestrian-friendly. Main Street zoning is the model for pragmatic, urban long-term implementation in service of plans that emerge from collaborative community vision.
Four more years!
Manager of Parks and Recreation Kim Bailey is determined to rejuvenate Denver’s City Beautiful legacy for the enjoyment of both residents and visitors.
Last summer, Bailey reactivated five of Denver’s historic and new fountains. This summer, she is returning six more to active use. The 11 include City Park’s interactive fountain and Thatcher Fountain; Babi Yar Park fountain; Benedict Fountain at 20th and Logan; Speer Boulevard’s Hungarian Freedom Fountain; Cheesman Park fountain; Stapleton’s interactive fountain; Civic Center’s historic Seal and Pioneer Fountains; and the two fountains behind the Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
Four more years!
Manager of Human Services Roxane White has brought a smart, results-oriented management style to a department that’s long been rudderless. Her vision, skills and political savvy are paying off in various ways, including measurable results implementing Denver’s ambitious plan to reduce homelessness.
Four more years!
It’s beginning to feel like a campaign.
Susan Barnes-Gelt (bs13@qwest.net) served eight years on the Denver City Council and was an aide to former Denver Mayor Federico Peña.
