Despite mayor's plea, Denver parks board nixes open-space land swap

Font ResizeLocal NewsBy Karen Augé
The Denver Postdenverpost.comPosted: 12/13/2012 09:40:18 PM MSTDecember 14, 2012 6:46 AM GMTUpdated: 12/13/2012 11:46:00 PM MST

After hearing Denver Mayor Michael Hancock's appeal on behalf of a land exchange that could lead to a domestic-violence center, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Thursday refused to approve the deal between Denver Public Schools and the city.

The board was asked to remove an open-space designation from part of an 11.5-acre parcel abutting Paul H. Hentzell Park in east Denver's Hampden Heights.

The school district hopes to build an elementary school and possibly an early-learning center for kindergarten- and preschool-age children on the site.

In exchange, the city would get a building on Fox Street that currently houses DPS administrative offices. The mayor wants to convert that building to a domestic-violence resource center.

But by a vote of 11-6, the board decided not to recommend removing the open-space designation that currently exists on 9 of the 11.5 acres. One board member, a DPS employee, abstained.

Their recommendation is nonbinding.

The parks and recreation department manager will make a recommendation to the Denver City Council, which will make the final decision on the open-space designation.

The advisory board's vote came after two long meetings in which dozens of residents addressed both sides of the issue.

Hancock told the board Thursday he was committed to adding more open space to the city.

But he said going ahead with the land swap would be "a good transaction for the city of Denver, a good transaction for Denver Public Schools," and for all residents.

That didn't sway the more than 20 residents who spoke against the proposal, most emphasizing that open space is priceless and that removing an open-space designation would set a dangerous precedent.

Several board members said they were unhappy at being asked to choose between open space and much-needed schools and aid for victims of domestic violence.

But the majority concluded their function was to protect parks and open space and therefore voted no.

Karen Augé: 303-954-1733, kauge

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