Mark Smiley, Author at Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle

Donor Group Purchasing JCC’s Leetsdale-Dahlia Campus

by Mark Smiley | Jul 20, 2018 | Feature Story Bottom Left

JCC Campus Renewed: An alliance of donors is infusing millions of dollars into the Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center by purchasing the recently renovated JCC campus located at Leetsdale and South Dahlia St.

Rose Foundation Subsidiary Will Hold Property; Leaseback Deal Eradicating JCC’s Long-Term Debt

An alliance of donors is infusing millions of dollars into the Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center by purchasing the JCC campus located at Leetsdale and South Dahlia St. The coalition — including the Rose Community Foundation, Mizel Family Foundation, Michael Staenberg and the Sturm Family — is purchasing the campus and leasing it back for $1 per year, eradicating its long-term debt.

Purchase of the campus will enable the Denver JCC to repay its $14.3 million in debt accumulated since the 1990s, plus put aside reserves for deferred maintenance needs, and provide for a financially sustainable future. As part of the deal, the current JCC Denver board has agreed to step down and a new board will be installed, chaired by Don Kortz, founder of the Rose Community Foundation and its first president and CEO.

The property will be held in a nonprofit subsidiary of Rose Community Foundation solely for the exclusive and perpetual benefit of the JCC Denver. The Foundation’s nonprofit subsidiary, will be chaired by Foundation Trustee Jerry Glick and comprised of volunteer real estate experts from the Rose Community Foundation Board. The deal is a 100-year lease agreement with the JCC Denver.

Best-Laid Plans: This schematic drawing shows the $50 million construction project planned at the JCC campus in January 2016. The plan fizzled when contractor bids came in above expectations and a campus renewal plan was launched in its place.

Programming Unleashed

“On behalf of our staff, outgoing board and membership, we are grateful for this unprecedented generosity and lifeline,” says Lara Knuettel, CEO of the JCC Denver. She has been leading the organization’s turnaround since August 2017. “This financial stabilization combined with new staff, a new board and renewed community engagement will propel the JCC Denver forward into a new era.”

New Board Chair Kortz adds, “I look forward to working with Lara and the highly qualified management team she has been building to ensure the JCC Denver continues to grow, thrive and serve even more community members with excellent programming for people of all ages.” The two agree the JCC Denver’s programs in early childhood education, family engagement, Jewish arts and culture; fitness and wellness, service to older adults and multi-generational community building is essential to the community.

“While the JCC Denver serves the broader community as a whole, it has long been a vital heart of — and portal into — the Jewish community,” adds Lindy Eichenbaum Lent, Rose Community Foundation’s president and CEO. “It is because of the JCC’s unique nature as a critical Jewish community asset that the Foundation is playing a role unlike any we have taken on before or will take on again. This new era of financial stabilization and leadership will unleash additional philanthropy from the community and allow the JCC Denver to continue expanding its diverse programming for the benefit of the community — from babies to older adults — for generations to come.”

Cool, Colorful Interiors: New paint, fixtures and lighting have given interiors of buildings at the JCC a cheerful, colorful look. Interior design of spaces provides an aesthetically pleasing environment for the people using the J’s facilities for educational, cultural and recreational programs.

Renovated Campus

Readers will recall that as 2016 got underway the JCC announced plans to launch a $50 million three-to-five year construction program with plans to build a half-dozen new facilities on the campus (Chronicle, Jan. 2016). The massive plan included a new indoor tennis facility at the foot of the Greek Orthodox Church. Contractor bids for that project, however, came back significantly higher than expected and the Board decided on a campus restoration-renovation undertaking instead. Renewal and repair work in a variety of different areas throughout the interior and exterior of campus buildings were completed in 2017. Improvement to the campus grounds included redoing the parking lots. Parking spaces were made larger plus additional spaces added.

Renovation included creating an entirely new Early Childhood Center wing, which added five new classrooms. The existing wing was updated with new paint, fixtures, and lighting. One of the existing playgrounds also received new landscaping. Update to the exterior of campus buildings including painting, adding new signage and new landscaping. Sliding doors were added to the campus main entrance and pillars removed to open up the lobby-reception area. Improvement also included enhanced security, an updated heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system plus energy efficient lighting and new artwork.

Remodeling also took place in several areas of the Fitness & Wellness Center including renovating the men’s and women’s locker rooms, creating a new childcare drop-off center with access to an outdoor space, adding massage rooms to enhance wellness offerings, purchasing new state-of-the-art-cardio equipment plus creating a new group cycling room and updating the HVAC system. New backdrops, ceiling and LED lighting were added at the Tennis Center. The Center offers top-of-the-line tennis lessons, classes and leagues to every level of tennis lover. The spanking-new Aquatics Center has both inside and outdoor pools that are heated to keep swimmers cozy no matter what the weather.

Building Support

A grant provided by the Rose Community Foundation to the JCC Denver enabled the organization to complete a market study and business plan to support its ongoing sustainability. The market study revealed that the JCC’s eight program areas are competitive and have the potential to grow and enhance viability.

While this is a historic milestone for the JCC, both Lara Knuettel and new Board Chair Don Kortz, say they recognize they still have work ahead to build the confidence, trust, and support of members, friends, and partners. They believe, however, that this transaction is one step in the right direction.

“Our mission continues to be to create a vibrant, inclusive family and social gathering place that provides educational, cultural, and recreational programs that serve and strengthen the community, guided by timeless Jewish values,” the pair concludes.

Think You’re Too Old?

by Mark Smiley | Jul 20, 2018 | Feature Story Middle Left

Three Reasons It’s Never Too Late To Start Working Out

by Nick Fortune

Stronger bones. Your bones are constantly going through a process called “remodeling,” in which new bone formations are being created and old ones are being broken down. Bone mass peaks when you’re in your late 20s or early 30s. Then, as we age, it begins to break down more than build up.

If the bone mass gets too low, osteoporosis can develop. This is a condition in which bones are weak and brittle, making them more susceptible to fractures and breaks. More than 44 million Americans age 50 and older have osteoporosis or low bone mass.

The good news is that exercise, specifical-ly weight-bearing exercise, has been proven to help increase or maintain bone density even as we continue to age.

Examples of weight-bearing exercises include walking, weight training, climbing stairs, dancing, running on the treadmill and using the elliptical. Bones respond to the mechanical forces and stress placed upon them.

If you have osteopenia or osteoporosis, or think you may have low bone mass, check with your doctor before beginning or increasing your amount of physical activity.

More muscle. Muscle, just like bone, also builds up and breaks down constantly throughout your lifetime. Your muscle mass peaks in your 30s and after that you begin to naturally lose muscle mass and function.

Physically inactive people can lose anywhere from three to five percent of their muscle mass each decade after the age of 30. Sarcopenia, the decline of muscle mass due to aging, affects nearly 30% of adults ages 60 to 70 and roughly 50% of adults over 80.

Cardiovascular exercise on its own, such as walking, elliptical machines and exercise bikes, is great for your heart and lungs, however strength training and resistance training can help increase or maintain muscle mass, starting at any age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults perform moderate or high-intensity muscle-strengthening activities that involve all major muscle groups two or more days a week.

Smarter brains. While physical activity improves health and reduces your risk for disease, it also benefits people mentally. Working out improves mood, reduces stress, and increases energy levels.

Even better, exercise can also improve brain function and memory. Physical activity stimulates the release of certain chemicals in the brain that protect brain cells from degenerating over time. Research has shown that regular moderate-intensity physical activity can increase the size of some brain regions, including the prefrontal cortex, medial temporal cortex and hippocampus, which help form, organize and store memories and consolidate short-term memory into long-term memory.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults get 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week. If you’re not there yet, do what you can and gradually add 5 to 10 minutes of exercise a week until you reach your goal.

You don’t need a lifetime of exercise to get the benefits of stronger bones, more muscle, and increased brain function. Whatever you do — starting at any time, at any age — can make a difference. It’s not too late, ever. Start where you are and get going!

Nick Fortune is the Active Older Adult Coordinator at the Schlessman Family YMCA. Fortune is an American Council on Exercise (A.C.E.) Certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor as well as an A.C.E. Orthopedic Exercise Specialist and Functional Training Specialist.

City’s Curse Of Excessive Construction Is Cutting Business, Crushing Valley Lifestyle

by Mark Smiley | Jul 20, 2018 | Main Articles

Councilman New Drafts Construction Management Ordinance, Says Size, Complexity Exceed City’s Ability Or Will To Control

by Glen Richardson

Denver is undergoing its largest construction boom in modern times with Cherry Creek North at the epicenter. Like a jackhammer the excessive construction is causing serious detrimental effects to surrounding businesses, residents and visitors. Moreover, the construction trend is on the rise in adjacent neighborhoods plus sections of downtown.

“The lack of support and assistance to small business retailers and neighborhood residents by development owners, construction management, construction workers and Denver Public Works justifies the need for stronger construction management policies by the City,” concludes City Councilman Wayne New. Council members Albus Brooks with his similar construction problems in RiNo and Paul Kashmann with the same issues in his neighborhoods have been supportive to the proposed changes.

The first term councilman, who is also a Cherry Creek North resident, say he has determined that “a City Council ordinance is required to enhance existing Public Works construction management policies that will manage construction projects more efficiently and effectively.” He tells the Chronicle it is his hope such an ordinance will mitigate the trials and tribulations businesses and residents in Cherry Creek have experienced for the past three years. “The ordinance will give Public Works greater flexibility to manage projects of varying size and complexity.” While the focus is on Cherry Creek construction he adds, “these recommendations can and should be applicable to construction project in all city areas.”

Collapse At Public Works

The number of Cherry Creek North construction projects that have been initiated simultaneously and in a relatively short period of time is staggering: The district has seen four major projects completed, 10 are underway, plus two to three new projects are set to begin within the next 12 months. Those construction projects don’t take into account rhe ones completed or under construction in the contiguous Cherry Creek East and Golden Triangle areas.

Impact of the Cherry Creek construction volume has been a serious blow to district parking. Moreover, New notes that the implementation of paid parking at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center has increased district customer and neighborhood parking concerns.

“There is no doubt now that the problems have resulted from Public Works’ inability to require pre-permitting and pre-construction planning and construction management agreements regarding area traffic flow, street closures, parking meter management, defined offsite parking arrangements, noise mitigation, trash prevention and collection.”

Sending Wrong Message

The lack of routine and timely construction meetings with the involvement of all parties has also hindered critical discussion on construction project issues and plans, according to New.

Such meetings, he believes, “would have prevented or mitigated problems and difficulties for businesses and residents before they occurred.”

The inability of construction companies and city officials to address these problems and issues has discouraged the desire of shoppers and business customers to visit areas where construction is underway. Furthermore, New bemoans, “It has sent a citywide message to avoid Cherry Creek and its construction problems.” The impact, he says is clear: “Small business retail sales have declined, residential quality of life disrupted and neighborhood parking hindered.”

Many small businesses have either closed or are struggling to stay in business. Cherry Creek residents are questioning whether the traffic congestion, traffic flow disruptions and parking limitations will decrease or can be managed. Thus many residents are contemplating if remaining in the neighborhood will be possible or desirable.

Steps To Improvement

The ordinance being drafted by Councilman New has more than a dozen recommendations for improvements. They are being created now because as New asserts, “It is very apparent they are required to strengthen current City construction management policy and provide additional policies for improvement.”

Top of the list is the issue of Excessive Construction within a Defined Area. Reason: The compounding effects of excessively large volumes of work have caused extreme hardships on surrounding businesses, residents, visitors and others within the area. Recommendation: When multiple projects are initiated that impact pedestrian safety and traffic management Public Works will strictly enforce policies and procedures to balance and mitigate effects on commercial and residential communities. This includes strict sidewalk protections; limit the permitting of street-lane closures and temporary one-way streets that grant favorable treatment to construction projects.

The Councilman also believes that Planning, Communication & Notification must be compulsory. Reason: Business and community leaders are not involved in project discussions. Moreover, there is insufficient notification to all parties when activities affecting business operations and traffic flow will occur. Recommendation: Full street closures for an extensive time period will not be allowed. Closure of a street for up to three days may be considered for safety reasons. A graduated fee per day would be imposed on contractors failing to end approved closures.

Added Reform Measures

These additional reforms, condensed for publication, are included in the ordinance being drafted by New:

Pedestrian Sidewalks: If construction occurs on a block, one side of the street must be open. When construction occurs on both sides of the street, a wooden covered walkway must be installed on at least one side of the project. Walkways must be sturdy, waterproofed and adequately lighted for nighttime use.

Construction Worker Parking: A defined plan for every project must be submitted to Public Works prior to receiving a building permit. Contractors must provide an agreement for contracted offsite parking with financial incentives, and penalties for non-compliance. Plan to be forwarded to businesses, neighborhood organization and Council member.

Infrastructure & Streetscape Damage: It is not a taxpayer responsibility to repair damage to city streets and streetscapes created by construction projects. Construction project performance bond must include the cost of repairing, replacing streets and streetscapes to their original condition.

Patch Parking Problems

Parking District Development: Proposed district would operate and fulfill all prescribed City regulations and requirements but would not be responsible for parking meter collections. Management of City parking activities is not currently coordinated and managed by a single City division.

Parking Meters: Use of parking meter bags for construction purposes must be included in pre-construction planning discussions in order to make business and neighborhood leaders aware of any pending disruptions. Meter bagging would not be allowed for more than a continuous three-day period.

Parking Enforcement & Signage: Parking enforcement and ticketing must be performed in all neighborhoods on a regular 2-hour basis. Signage that informs parkers of the proper distance for alley entrances and street intersections must be installed. An implementation and budget plan must be developed for a five-year completion time frame.

Noise, Trash & Traffic

Noise & Trash: Contractors must provide construction site trash and cigarette butt receptacles directly outside of construction sites. Contractors must pay local business organizations for the offsite area collection and removal of trash and cigarette butts daily.

Traffic & Pedestrian Signage: Contractors must remove all traffic and pedestrian management signs, cones and barricades from the public right-of-way within 24-hours when not in use.

Coordination With City & Business Guidelines: Recommendations for improvement must be coordinated with existing construction mitigation plans and business area guidelines. Differences should be reconciled and final improvements guided by their efficiency, effectiveness, balance and greatest positive impact.

Construction Epicenter: Towering cranes over Cherry Creek hint at the number of construction projects that have been initiated. The district has seen four major projects completed, 10 are underway, plus two to three new projects are set to begin within the next 12 months.

Denver City Councilman Wayne New

Street Shutdown: Cherry Creek North street closures are damaging business operations and disrupting traffic flow. One block of Saint Paul St. where a bank and other businesses are located was closed for two months.

Lack Of Planning: By not communicating and coordinating construction activities Public Works contributes to the lack of community notice and inability to mitigate business operational problems.

Construction Conquest: Use of parking and traffic lanes for additional construction project space contributes to potential pedestrian and traffic flow safety problem.

Gotta Go Other Way: Temporary one-way street arrangements give favorable treatment to construction projects and have a negative effect on businesses, residents and visitors.

Closed Sidewalk Epidemic: Booming development should bode well for people who walk. In Denver, nevertheless, people are encountering more and more closed sidewalks in construction zones.