Since moving to Denver 26 years ago, I have always been drawn to Cherry Creek North.
At first, it was a haven where I tried to recreate the kind of atmosphere I had loved about my hometown of Chicago. Then it became where I opened my gallery in 1984. Following the sale of the gallery in 1995, Cherry Creek North became my husband’s and my permanent residence.
I have watched the area grow from a modest provincial colony of tiny specialty shops and restaurants to a glamorous mass of mini-malls and franchise giants. Along the way, we have said goodbye to many stalwart names, including Neusteter’s, Bohm-Allen, Music for All and recently, among others, the estimable Tattered Cover. We have also welcomed new names, too, and many stalwarts still remain, such as Shaver Ramsey, Wizard’s Chest and Artisan Center, to name a few.
I have witnessed the planning and building of the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, the creation of the Business Improvement District that now operates Cherry Creek North, and the design and inception of the Cherry Creek Arts Festival. I am familiar with most of the organizations that feed or have fed into the district and that represent the various interests of the area, i.e., the Cherry Creek Commerce Association, the Cherry Creek Neighborhood Association, and the BID.
I belonged to the now defunct Cherry Creek Merchants’ Association for many years, and with other galleries organized the Cherry Creek Art Association when the oil boom burst and street improvement construction began.
It is hard to imagine Cherry Creek North without change, but it would be wonderful if the directions that it took were more governed by a precise vision than by a serendipitous approach.
The visions for Cherry Creek North have always varied among the merchants and the developers. In the past, some wanted the area to develop like the Country Club section of Kansas City. Some, like the Cherry Creek Arts Festival and Taste of Cherry Creek, wished for a younger, more upscale image. I have always liked a somewhat eclectic approach that had an artistic slant to it. Our art association often hired classical and jazz quartets to perform when we featured openings of some our best artists. Promotions often touted the fact Cherry Creek was the former town of Harman and that Third Avenue and Fillmore Street used to be a trolley turnaround. And there’s always been a sense of pride to have both the Ross Cherry Creek Library and the highly acclaimed Bromwell Elementary School as a part of the district.
Now I fear we are moving away from individuality, acknowledgment of our past and community participation.
And whom can we blame? When the area was small and struggling, many of us were involved. We didn’t always see eye to eye, but we took part so that we as a group could form a consensus and be accountable. Vigilance and commitment do not appear to be as strong today.
So where is the problem? The BID gets concerned about traffic and parking and only hypes the area with Mickey Mouse statues, cows and giveaways. Developers just want to fill the spaces with merchants who will pay the highest rents. The merchants are way too busy analyzing their receipts and ordering inventory to pay attention to the area’s image, and the residents are just worried about crime, traffic and height ordinances.
In my mind, it’s up to everyone involved in the area to participate and remind each other of what’s most important. Is it just money? Or is it quality of life? Is it just pretty architecture and amenities? Or is it an overall vision? And who decides? The Business Improvement District? Developers? Merchants? The people? How about all of them?
Wouldn’t it be nice if more of an effort were spent to make a community rather than to just draw lots of people? We could build a cultural center, invite the Botanic Gardens to help plant our gardens, ask the film society to help arrange a movie agenda. We could grow with style.
This is my vision for Cherry Creek North. I’d like to hear what others dream of for the neighborhood.
Mimi Pockross is former owner of Canyon Road Gallery in Cherry Creek North and a current resident of Cherry Creek.
