A “YES ON 302” Community Benefits Walk, Rally, Flyer And Sign

Saturday, October 9th at 10AM and Sunday, October 10th at 1PM

Distribution Starting at the Park Hill Golf Course

A word from BCEI Founder, John Bailey:

Friends & Neighbors – VOTE YES ON 302!

I wanted to make sure that you had accurate information regarding the Denver ballot initiatives related to the Park Hill Golf Course Redevelopment. To the extent that you can spread the word through your networks, invite us to speak at your community meetings, order a yard sign, or make a small donation to show community support – YES ON 302 would be so appreciative.

The proponents of Initiative 301 have put forth a media blitz of misinformation. I wanted to make sure you all as community leaders have the information to respond to questions or misinformation as much as possible. Our opponents are making a lot of noise about this being about Green Space vs. Concrete, but this couldn’t be further from the truth – we can have a win-win that creates a new park and development that addresses equity, affordable housing and other local neighborhood needs. The ballot initiatives will not determine the future development of the golf course; that is still up to City Council. The winning initiative will dictate who gets a say in what will get developed on the land. 301 would add a requirement for a city-wide vote, which would all but silence the voices of people living in the local neighborhood. 302 returns the voice to the local neighborhood and City Council, like every other rezoning in the City.

See below and check out www.yeson302denver.com  for more information and sign up for updates/yard signs.

As always thank you for your support – let me know if you want to set up a call to discuss further!

VOTE YES ON 302

The Empower Northeast Denver Ballot initiative (Initiative 302) is a direct response to a measure filed by a special interest group focused only on open space (initiative 301).

VOTE YES ON 302 because it ensures the local neighborhood has the power to determine the future of a defunct privately owned golf course. The community surrounding the golf course has identified needs for diverse, affordable housing, a grocery store, and open space, and they should have the loudest voice about what happens in their neighborhood and how to use this property to better their community. There don’t have to be winners and losers here, we have committed to at least 60 acres of parks and open space – the land is big enough for all of these uses.

VOTE NO ON 301 – Led and funded by a group of citizens that largely don’t live in the area, SOS’s misleadingly named Parks and Open Spaces Initiative 301 would take a local land use issue and give the City voters Veto power over their desired community vision.  This is particularly problematic from an equity perspective because the neighborhoods surrounding the Golf Course property are 2/3 non-white and have average household incomes 30% below the City average, while Denver voters are 74% white.

We don’t let Cherry Creek residents decide what Five Points needs and vice versa, and city voters shouldn’t have veto power over this neighborhood. 

VOTE YES ON 302 protects the voice of Northeast Park Hill by more clearly defining a conservation easement in Denver law. This measure doesn’t change state conservation easement laws or automatically allow development – it means the diverse neighborhoods surrounding the golf course get to go through a planning process to determine what they want without the added requirement of a city-wide vote just like every other piece of property in the City. The City Council will still need to vote to allow anything other than a golf course on this property.

The owner of the Golf course has already committed to at least 60 acres of parks and open space on the land. As a percentage, that is more open space than in Central Park or Lowry.  For reference, 60 acres is about the size of Cheesman Park and Central Park.

We do not want to set a dangerous precedent for citywide voters to have veto power over any local neighborhood issue, let alone – equity requires that we elevate voices that have been marginalized in the past not overrun them.

COME JOIN US! VOTE YES ON 302 TO PROTECT LOCAL CHOICES AND PROTECT LOCAL VOICES – YOUR  BALLOT WILL BE COMING SOON!

Blessings,

John Bailey