Denver’s Cole neighborhood is under construction, but heavy machinery is noticeably absent.
The building and transformation are coming from within the community.
That community gathered Saturday for the Cole Community Coalition Block Party. Vendors lined the street as kids played on a climbing wall and performers from local marching bands and dance teams entertained the crowd of more than 100 people. But at the same time, important work was being done: conversations on where the community is going and how to get there.
“We are really trying to build an identity as a neighborhood,” said Loralie Cole, president of the neighborhood association. “We want to be able to be recognized as a neighborhood and take the opportunity to be considered for redevelopment.”
Attracting business to the community is important, but it’s not to say the neighborhood hopes for a Starbucks on every corner, she said.
Dave Wilson said the northeast Denver neighborhood and its businesses are growing more diverse.
“It’s changing,” he said, “but you have to want and welcome change.”
Darryl Clark said that as the neighborhood changes and people move there from the suburbs, the quality of local goods is increasing.
Access to grocery stores is still difficult in the “food desert,” where the closest large store is more than a mile away, Deana Alfonso said.
She moved to the neighborhood in 2006.
“It wasn’t as bad as some people said. It’s very community-oriented,” she said.
But there is still work to be done, said Hugh Harris, who was a pastor in the neighborhood for 13 years before retiring.
He said there is a need to economically empower the community. As people become empowered and find those solutions, entrepreneurship will take root.
“There are a number of problems in any community. But it’s all about assessing those problems and figuring out how to address them,” he said.
Caitlin Gibbons: 303-954-1638 or cgibbons@denverpost.com
