Neighborhood, City Council Okay Garfield Plans; Milwaukee Development Looms
Given the shadows cast by an ever-increasing rash of skyscrapers from the nearby business district, residents in Cherry Creek North’s tony residential neighborhood north of 3rd Ave. become exceptionally nervous with regard to potential changes to its character. These are the residents, after all, that urged, “Smart development, not overdevelopment” for the Cherry Creek’s business district.
Thus when the two largest remaining parcels within the residential neighborhood — a rare corner with six contiguous lots at 2nd Ave. and Garfield, the other a five-lot plot between 320-260 Milwaukee, and both zoned G-RH-3 — became potential development sites residents quickly became skittish. The Cherry Creek North Neighborhood Association (CCNNA) and Councilman Wayne New reached an agreement for the Garfield development that was approved at the August 22 City Council meeting. Sale of the Milwaukee property just closed and information isn’t yet available on plans for development at that location.
When initially learning that the family that owned the Garfield property was planning to build garden court style apartments, neighbors objected declaring they would look like “army barracks.” They requested the city review the intent of the code and listen to their concerns. City Councilman Wayne New — a past president of the CCNNA — along with colleague Councilman Rafael Espinoza then asked for a one-year city-wide moratorium on the garden court concept so the zoning code could be corrected or clarified. Other council members, however, expressed concern that the yearlong moratorium could halt other city projects.
Silver Lining
There is a silver lining to the development cloud, at least for the Garfield property. Paula Newberry-Arnold and her son Kien whose family have owned the property for nearly 70 years finalized an agreement with the CCNNA led by president Bob Vogel that proved acceptable to both the neighborhood and the family. Under the agreement, the number of units in the development was decreased from 30 down to 26, with no stacked units. Moreover, the courtyard space between buildings was expanded to 33 feet versus the original 16 feet.
Furthermore there will actually be gardens within the development not just doors, notes Councilman New. He says his review of the plan gave him the assurance he needed to amend the moratorium. On August 22 the Denver City Council agreed, lifting the moratorium on current projects including Garfield, but approved the year-long halt for new projects city-wide..
The neighborhood is just beginning to learn about the five-lot plot located between 320-360 Milwaukee. It just sold for $7,600,000, unofficially a record price of $1,520,000 per lot. Neither the buyer nor plans for development of that property have yet been disclosed. However, up to 10 units — condos, flats or townhomes — could be built, potentially including the garden court designs.
Flowering Since WWII
Weldon Newberry and two of his brothers originally purchased a greenhouse at the Garfield location in Cherry Creek just after WWII and began growing famed Colorado Carnations, the first trademarked flower in the U.S. A few years later, Weldon and his wife Elizabeth purchased full ownership from the remaining brother. With fuel prices skyrocketing, carnations were being shipped into the states cheaper than they could be grown in the greenhouse. At this point, the greenhouses were used to grow a large variety of flowers and plants and Elizabeth Newberry focused on developi
ng the wedding and floral side of the business.
The daughter of Weldon and Elizabeth Newberry, Paula Newberry-Arnold now co-owns the business with her son Kien Arnold. The business has developed into one of Denver’s top floral and décor shops specializing in large themed events and custom floral design. Earlier this year they relocated the business into the former Natural Grocers property on Leetsdale Drive (Chronicle, January 2016).
Originally 500 Cherry Creek North neighborhood homeowners signed a petition protesting the proposed Garfield development. Now, however, many say they look forward to it being built believing it will be an improvement over the greenhouses that weren’t exactly an asset to the neighborhood.