WESTERLY

CREEK VILLAGE

COMMUNITY

PLAN

VISION STATEMENT:

Revised Vision Statement #2

“Westerly Creek” Village, a distinctive community defined by Montivew Boulevard

and Westerly Creek, is a strong residential neighborhood in close proximity to the

region’s premier Fitzsimons medical employment center and Aurora Arts District,

the city’s cultural heart. “Westerly Creek” Village is known for its many amenities:

varied housing styles, proximity to Fitzsimons, Westerly Creek, family-oriented

destinations, and its cultural and ethnic diversity. The neighborhood is a thriving,

vibrant and safe community with a mix of shops, restaurants and businesses that

serve not only the residents, but the adjacent developments of Lowry, Stapleton,

and Fitzsimons. The citizens continually build on the village’s sense of place making

it an even better neighborhood in which to live, work and play. Enhanced parks,

bicycle and pedestrian friendly streets, and open spaces are maintained and

recreation is available for all age groups. The medical campus, religious

institutions and schools provide opportunities for the community to grow and

learn. This is a place where neighborhood events and activities bring people

together.

Chosen Option #1 - Mixed Use Montview Boulevard & Dayton Street This diagram proposes mixed use (purple) in the existing industrial area and along the entire length of Montview, and along Dayton Street from Stapleton to Colfax Avenue. Westerly Creek and proposed 26th Place incorporate enhanced green spaces and area accessible to the community.

Chosen Option #1- Land Use & Street Connections

SAFE COMMUNITY

•Clean & Safe

LEADERSHIP AND PARTNERSHIPS

•Community Engagement

INFRASTRUCTURE

•Montview Blvd. cross section

•Bicycle and Sidewalk Access

•Stapleton Connections

QUALITY OF LIFE

•Quality & Diverse Housing

•Westerly Creek

•Recreation

•Stapleton Greenway

•“Village” Identity

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

•Brownfield Cleanup

•Mixed Use Zoning

COMMUNITY GOALS

26th Place Greenway

Residential Streets & Spaces

Bicycle Access

Ongoing ActivitiesHousing

Physical Improvements, including greenway improvements alley-way paving are eligible for CDBG funding.

Original Aurora alley lighting funded in partnership with Xcel energy ($167 per light funded by AURA)

NSP was used to improve 8 homes in the area and still targeting sites in foreclosure. Could possibly use NSP funds to purchase foreclosed parcels associated with functionally obsolete multifamily (further investigation required)

Owner-occupied units eligible for Home Investment Program.

Brownfield

Revolving Loan Fund is available to assist with remediation and additional funding is being sought.

Aurora Water

FEMA Grant Pending – For improvement to Montview Bridge/Roadway to remove approximately 107 properties out of the Westerly Creek Floodplain. Grant is for $2.3 mil of $3 mil project.

Ongoing ActivitiesPublic Works

IGA between Park Creek Metro District, Denver (i.e. Metro District) and Aurora for roadway improvements between Stapleton and Aurora.

Stapleton Activity

(Filing 16) Stapleton subdivision to the north will begin development within the next few months

Iola St. connection will be provided

Recreation

City bond issue for Capital the expansion of Moorhead and development of three new recreation centers

Aurora Residents for Recreation (ARR) is promoting the funding of recreation centers, including Moorhead. (May appear as two separate bond issues on November election ballot)

Traffic

Center turn lanes and/or removal of street parking will be required to accommodate new roadway configurations. Community view?

Iola Street connection to Stapleton will be implemented with Filing 16, subdivision to the north

Bicycle Master Planning is underway with public hearing on June 29th at City Café in AMC building

Ongoing Activities

Westerly CreekThe City Council will consider a Comprehensive Plan Amendment for Westerly Creek in the fall that designates the creek as a “greenway” and proposes significant enhancements which will impact the design of Montview Park.Public ArtWill archive photos of old buildings (50+ years ) prior to any demolition.Will be involved in bus-stop beautification.Mural will be painted on Moorhead Recreation Center.Possible public art bicycle tour for area.Zoning & PlanningMontview Village Comprehensive Plan AmendmentSustainable Infill Zoning District to be developedAurora Development ServicesGrocery Store Incentive for NW AuroraRestaurant Incentive & Lighting Project in Aurora Arts DistrictBlight Study & Urban Renewal PlanFund Mid Block Lighting in area alleyways

Village Identity

MONIKER ( catchy name)

• “Montview” Village

• “Fletcher” Village

• “Westerly” Commons

• “The Eastbank”

Winner:

“Westerly Creek Village”

Westerly Creek

WESTERLY CREEK ACTION STEPS

• Construct a new bridge on Montview Blvd. over Westerly Creek to reduce flood impacts.

• Develop a master plan for Montview Park which will be impacted by the required creek improvements.

• Focus on the required 100 year drainage improvements that will aid in daylighting Westerly Creek within Aurora extending from 13th Avenue to Stapleton and apply for grants that will facilitate the implementation of the greenway and open spaces.

• Coordinate the Westerly Creek improvements with Denver to improve connections between Lowry and Stapleton regarding on-street bicycle and pedestrian trailways.

Mixed Use Montview Boulevard

Existing

Potential

SUSTAINBLE INFILL REDEVELOPMENT

The new zoning district will allow for a compatible mix of commercial, civic and residential uses in areas suitable for redevelopment and infill development. Goals include:

• New choices to live and work in a single location, not currently available thru existing zoning

• High quality design to ensure competitive and economically viable infill development

• Enhanced property values in neighborhoods and commercial areas

• Pedestrian and bicycle connections to surrounding sites and neighborhoods

• Energy and resource efficiency

Dayton Mixed Use

URBAN RENEWAL

URBAN RENEWAL• Established under Colorado Law• Authorizes an Urban Renewal Authority to assist in the acquisition,

disposition and financing of redevelopment projects

WHY USE URBAN RENEWAL• Eliminate Slum & Blighting Conditions

-11 factors including environmental contamination, vacant buildings, and deteriorating infrastructure

• Reverse Trends of Disinvestment-including declining tax base and deferred maintenance

• Implement Long Term Visions for an Area• Use of “incremental tax revenues” created when new value is added to

otherwise stagnant or declining propertiesNEXT STEPS

Transformed with Activity

Slide sequence courtesy of Will Fleissig and

Continuum Partners, LLC and the Havana

Improvement Team, MURP, Studio I

University of Colorado at Denver

Industrial Redevelopment

Next Steps • www.MontviewCommunityPlan.org• Hearings, Meetings, & other Actions

– Bicycle Master Plan Public Hearing June 29th , 6 pm in City Café @ AMC– Westerly Creek Village Comprehensive Plan Amendment late summer/early

spring– Grocery Incentive for NW Aurora available in late summer– Restaurant Incentive (Dish It Up In Aurora) along Colfax now available– Peoria/ Smith East Grade Separation & Corridor Station late summer/early fall– Iola Street to be constructed through to Stapleton coming soon– Westerly Creek Comprehensive Plan Amendment late summer– Notice of Grant Award for FEMA bridge at Westerly Creek (pending)– Blight Study late summer/ early fall– Urban Renewal Plan early fall– Sustainable Infill Zoning (Mixed Use) – City initiated bond Issue that will include Moorhead Rec. Center (Nov. ballot)– Aurora Residents for Recreation potential bond issue for Moorhead Center

www.arrtf.com– Planning Academy sign up now for September/October classes (direct access

to high level city officials)

What Can You Do?• Join Northwest Aurora Neighborhood Organization (NANO) (www.NANO80010.org), 303-

364-2859. Upcoming annual events include Neighborhood Cleanup (May 19, 2012), Summer Neighborhood Picnic (August 4th), Circle of Life Award (September 1st), Candidates Forum (September 8th) and Neighborhood Christmas Party (December 3rd). NANO Neighborhood Meetings, to meet your neighbors and learn the latest information about new and redevelopment applications and news in Northwest Aurora are also held throughout the year. (Refer to the NANO Brochure for dates, time and location)

• Attend the City of Aurora Planning Academy, Planning Department, 303-739-7250

• Organize a Block Party, or organizational assistance from Neighborhood Liaisons, www.auroragov.org/liaison, Neighborhood Liaisons, 303-739-7280

• Original Aurora Renewal Neighborhood Resource Center, 303-739-7929,

• https://www.auroragov.org/Departments/NeighborhoodServices/OriginalAuroraRenewal/index.htm

• Volunteer on any of the city’s 28 Boards and Commissions, https://www.auroragov.org/Government/CityClerk/BoardsandCommissions/index.htm, 303-739-7094

• Community Gardens, Diana Denwood, City of Aurora Water Department, 720-859-4407

• Neighborhood Watch, 303-739-6639, https://www.auroragov.org/Government/Police/CommunityPolicing/NeighborhoodWatch/index.htm

• Stay tuned to updated information on the Montview Community website, www.MontviewCommunityPlan.org