Culture Coming As Overhaul Begins On Inn At Cherry Creek

by Mark Smiley | Jul 26, 2019 | Travel

Czar Of Cherry Creek’s Conversion Into A NY Village Plans To Create $30 Million 18-Hour-A-Day Nightlife Hub

When Peter Weber built the Inn At Cherry Creek 15 years ago, it was the district’s boutique hotel. It opened on Clayton St. at about the same time the JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek opened a block south at 150 Clayton Lane. That was when Cherry Creek North was still home to mostly independently-owned boutique outdoor retail stores and dining destinations.

Then in 2014 the Denver City Council passed new zoning rules for the district that reduced parking requirements, lifted restrictions on building heights and allowed hotels in for the first time. Now most of the independent retailers and dining destinations are gone, replaced by expensive high-rise apartments and high-end New York retailers and restaurateurs. Three new hotels — the Halcyon, Moxy and Jacquard — have been added. Matt Joblon — CEO of BMC Investments and czar of the continuing massive Cherry Creek makeover — built the Halcyon and Moxy and has a 99-year ground lease on the Inn at Cherry Creek. The Halcyon and Moxy are both within half a mile of the Inn at Cherry Creek. BMC has developed or is in the process of developing more than $500 million in projects, all in Cherry Creek North.

The Inn at Cherry Creek continued to operate for a year, but Joblon has now begun a year-long renovation or more accurately a makeover and repositioning of the boutique site at 233 Clayton St. The existing building — a four-story property with 37 hotel rooms, three residences and three commercial spaces — is being gutted and 15,000-20,000-sq.-ft. of space added at an estimated cost of $30 million. The MBC project is a collaboration with hospitality and development industry veterans Aparium Hotel Group and CHMWarnick.

Adding Fifth Floor

The renovation is expected to include a partial fifth floor to the four-story hotel. The new space will be rebranded but fewer than a half-dozen rooms are expected to be added.

The Inn’s original restaurant — The Weber Grill — was shuttered by Joblon almost immediately after signing the 99-year lease. In its place Joblon has promised “a great new space” that will be much larger, serving three meals a day.

Joblon also plans to expand the hotel’s retail space. To do that he is bringing in a third party to do an “experimental type of retail that does not currently exist in Cherry Creek.” He has often referred to this pro-posed space as an “upscale bazaar” similar to the Denver Central Market. Or maybe something like the Greenwich Village Abingdon Square Greenmarket.

Getting Party Going

You may think that Cherry Creek nightlife is dead but don’t be fooled, Joblon plans to get the party going again at the renovated space. In fact he wants to transform the hotel and the street from an “eight-hour-a-day to an 18-hour-a-day community.”

That means the hotel will feature music, food and other amenities. “We want to do a project that is focused around the cultural part of Cherry Creek to really grow and expand that part of it … for both locals and people coming out and visiting,” Joblon says.

The renovated hotel’s nightlife — cocktail bars, music, entertainment and art — will be inside so the neighborhood won’t complain. Joblon originally planned for live music on the rooftop terrace at the Halcyon Hotel but the neighborhood association squashed the notion because of the hotel’s proximity to condos.

Culture Epicenter

He wants the new Inn at Cherry Creek to become its own thriving, diverse community. Meeting rooms and community areas are being designed into the hotel’s expansion. “The core of our vision is to create a place that becomes the cultural epicenter for this neighborhood.”

Think New York’s Greenwich Village or as New Yorkers call it, “The Village.” He wants the hotel and Clayton Street to become Cherry Creek’s bohemian capital, a spot with places like Greenwich Village’s Fat Cat and Café Wha? He dreams of the Clayton block becoming an updated and stylish version of Greenwich’s MacDougal St., where throngs flock to enjoy drinks, live music and meet up with friends.

He believes the hotel has incredible potential to be a destination in and of itself and thus help the neighborhood to thrive. He aims for the hotel to draw all types of people with all kinds of stories. “That’s what I think is going to make this place really special. Not to mention very, very different.”

Marriage Of Money

The 30-something Joblon grew up in the Boston area — his family owns Brittany Global Technologies — and moved to LA to work for an individual real estate investor. That’s where he met his future wife Alissa Alpert, daughter of Lee Alpert who has developed more than 44,000 acres of Denver real estate. Joblon moved here in 2010, married Alissa and met Darren Everett who at the time was VP of Operations for the Alpert Companies. Everett is a founding partner of BMC Investments and President of BMC’s property management affiliate, BLDG Management.

Soon after moving here — Joblon lives in Cherry Hills Village but has offices in a Cherry Creek building he built at 2nd Ave. and Detroit — he began building a relationship with the Inn at Cherry Creek owner Peter Weber. He says he wanted to make sure that another party didn’t beat BMC to the deal and create a brand that would compete with his nearby hotels. Earlier this year, of course, BMC sold the Halcyon Hotel to Ohio-based Rockbridge Capital for $93 million.

The rebranded Inn at Cherry Creek will still face the same problems as the other two hotels: attracting hospitality and retail workers! Why? Cherry Creek North’s expensive parking and relative lack of public transportation.

Fur Real: Valley Citizens Are Cat-N-Round Town This Summer

by Mark Smiley | Jun 21, 2019 | Travel

Feline Fans Hit The Mat With Cats, Paws For Beer; Watch Acro-Cats Purrform, Then Hang At Cool Cat Café

Ooh yeah, yeah, yeah the city’s cool cats are hanging out in straw hats and stealing the limelight this summer.

The cat’s out of the bag: Denver residents are starting summer by getting their paws on beer at the Dumb Friends League Catwalk. Then they’re headed to the fourth annual Cats on Mats yoga series pairing people practicing yoga with homeless cats and kittens at the Denver Animal Shelter.

Ooh the cool cats continue coming on strong, tapping on the toe with a new hat as Denver dances with the Amazing Acro-cats at the Bug Theatre. It’s a two-hour long purrformance featuring domesticated house cats. After speeding too fast having fun with cats they cool down at the Denver Cat Company, one of the country’s first cat cafes. A feline lounge-about, this cat-themed café serves coffee and pastries.

Paws For A Beer

Whether you’re a cat person or not it’s been proven that there are numerous health benefits to owning or simply being around felines. Cats are known to reduce a person’s stress and anxiety, can help lower blood pressure, boost our immune systems and have an overall calming effect on humans. So it just makes sense that this summer area non-profit organizations are finding ways to bring more and more people together with adoptable cats while raising money to support their causes.

Beer, cats and fun, all for a great cause — the Dumb Friends League Catwalk returns Saturday, July 13. Pet-lovers are invited to celebrate cats and kittens by sampling craft beer from 10 local breweries, while learning about programs that benefit feline friends and viewing adorable adoptable cats. General admission tickets include beer tastings from 10 local breweries from 7 to 9 p.m. Food from local food trucks and cat merchandise, including Catwalk T-shirts, will be available for purchase. The Hill’s Science Diet booth is offering a Tito’s vodka cocktail and free cat food samples.

The Catwalk takes place at the Dumb Friends League Quebec Street Shelter at 2080 S. Quebec St. The event’s feline friends request that you leave your canine companions at home for this event. Guests will receive a “pawport,” which includes information about the locations of the various beer samplings and cat information stations. Pawports stamped at every booth will be entered to win a prize. Information: ddfl.org/catwalk.

Cats On Mats

If you love yoga and kittens, this event is for you! Denver Animal Protection is hosting its fourth annual “Cats on Mats” yoga series at the Denver Animal Shelter through August. The hour-long yoga classes are taught by professional, certified yoga instructors and are “supervised” by a team of adorable, adoptable, free-roaming cats and kittens.

Classes are offered every Wednesday in July and August from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Denver Animal Shelter located at 1241 W. Bayaud Ave. Space is limited, and many of the classes sold-out last year.

Participants should wear comfortable clothing and bring their own yoga mat as well as a $20 donation to support the shelter. Cats on Mats helps to socialize cats that are ready for adoption, and participants who connect with a special cat are encouraged to begin the adoption process. Information: 720-337-1782.

Cat Band At Bug

Cat lovers are always suggesting that cats are entertaining and this month Valley residents are getting their first opportunity to see for themselves. A troupe of touring, performing house cats known as The Amazing Acro-cats — the only all cat band in the world — is bringing its act to the Bug Theatre on Navajo St., July 5-14.

This one-of-a-kind, two-hour long purrformance features talented house cats that roll on balls, ride skateboards and jump through hoops. The current band lineup features Nola on guitar, Asti on drums, Nue on keyboard, plus some brand-new members. They are Ahi on woodblocks, Albacore on cowbell, Buggles on trumpet and Oz on Saxophone. There is even a chicken — Chuck Norris — rockin’ the tambourine!

Using the magic of clicker training, cat lover Samantha Martin — and a few other humans — travel with more than 15 cats and kittens as they educate and entertain audiences that cats can actually be trained. Currently recovering from stage-three cancer, she tenaciously continues to save the lives of cats and kittens through rescue, foster and adoption. The event is suitable for cat lovers of all ages. Information: 303-477-9988.

Cool Cat Cafe

Denver’s first cat café and only the third in the country, friends of felines flock to the Denver Cat Cafe year-round to sip on Solar Roast coffee plus teas and an assortment of other beverages. Located on Tennyson St. in the Berkeley neighborhood, the charming spot draws customers seeking to relax with cats and get some work done.

Due to the health code, the tabletop spot isn’t a full-service café but offers an assortment of prepackaged snacks. At any given time, patrons can expect to find around 15 cats at the café, all of whom are fully vetted and ready to go home with you after completing the adoption process. The café has facilitated the adoption of more than 700 cats since opening in 2014.

The café was founded by Leila Qari — a former attorney — who was captivated by the concept of cat cafés popular in Japan and Europe. She used her own funds to open the café, painted every wall and hand-picked and designed the furnishings and decor. Her book-hoarding tendencies resulted in a small library in the back portion of the cafe, adding another dimension to the space and providing patrons with reading material while customers relax with the kitties. She also hires and trains the staff and still picks up shifts every week in order to stay connected with the business and the community. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Thur., Fri.-Sun. until 8 p.m. Information: 303-433-3422.

Street Fight

by Mark Smiley | May 25, 2019 | Travel

Prominent Neighborhoods Fuming Over Public Works’ Vision Zero Plan Affluent, Angry Homeowners Say Public Works Is A Divisive Bureaucratic Power And The Plan Should Be Scrapped

by Glen Richardson

Denver Public Works is once again under public scrutiny. This time the department responsible for the design and construction of city streets is in the crosshairs of community activists in three of Denver’s most prominent neighborhoods — Polo Club, Belcaro and Wash Park.

Already making headlines for the Colorado Convention Center scandal plus the City Auditor hinting of improper bidding (May Chronicle), residents in these mega-mansion neighborhoods of curvy, tree-lined streets say the department’s ill-conceived Vision Zero Plan was prepared without sufficient review by the parties most affected by it, the homeowners and workers in the immediate neighborhoods. Moreover they believe the proposal will “totally destroy the residential character, visual pleasantness and smooth traffic flow that currently exists.”

It is with implementation of the proposed plan, where it would narrow traffic lanes at Steele St. and Alameda Ave. along this pricey corridor that homeowners say would significantly impact traffic into and out of the Polo Club and Belcaro neighborhoods.

Traffic from Colorado Blvd. on the east and University Blvd. on the west traverse through these neighborhoods daily via Alameda, Steele St. and Cherry Creek South Dr. Additionally the plan would add a bike lane along Alameda Ave. and reshape some parking from parallel to angle back-in only parking. The result, neighborhood groups say, would be disastrous traffic backups in both directions.

Area Buildings Curse

Furthermore the ingress and egress to vehicles at the Citadel Office Building — a 370-suite building with 310 subterranean parking spaces at 3200 E. Cherry Creek South Dr. and at the Polo Club Condominiums — a 21-story, 146-unit building with 300 underground parking spaces at 3131 E. Alameda Ave. would be significantly hindered.

Delayed entrance and exit from those buildings would not only further delay traffic but substantially increase the likelihood of vehicle and pedestrian accidents. The plan would also restrict or block the Citadel Office Building’s loading dock located on Steele St. while also restricting turns and reducing the number and configuration of business parking spaces along Steele.

“It saddens me that no one from Denver reached out to the stakeholders who were most adversely impacted by this proposed project for their input,” says 20-year Polo Club resident Carol Anderson. She should know since she worked alongside the transportation planners at the city, county, state and federal levels on transportation projects for the past two decades. “This was not how Denver used to be. And the irony is that Denver’s website touts their transparency in governing when that is not at all what happened on the Steele Street Multimodal Safety project,” she adds.

New Arranges Meeting

Residents at the Polo Club Condominiums first learned of the plan in late April and contacted City Councilman Wayne New. New — who has tangled with Denver Public Works over construction management in Cherry Creek North — arranged a meeting for the condo owners with Public Work’s Sam Piper and Ashley Grace on May 8. More than 100 residents attended along with homeowner neighbors in the area. Besides feedback from the audience. the pair was presented with a petition containing 150 signatures asking that the project be stopped. Reportedly the project was presented to the Miller Park Neighborhood Assn. two years ago and they fought the plan and thought the project had died.

“It was quickly apparent that the statistics presented were not for this intersection and they were not able to prove any justification. The one accident they were able to cite was caused by a sun angle and would not be affected by their proposed changes,” Condominium Board Member Sue Stock told the Chronicle.

Condo resident Scott Lancelot is even more adamant, “The biased presentation of information suggests, at worst, that DPW is engaging in a deliberate lie, or at best, misrepresented and mischaracterized facts, evaded or omitted important information and drew fallacious conclusions in order to get the results they wanted.”

Bikeway Dispute

The focus of their plan Lancelot explains is to eliminate pedestrian-biker fatalities city-wide in the next 10 years. They propose to accomplish this with improvements and investments in High Injury Network (HIN) corridors, build out the pedestrian network and enhance the bikeway network. But he points out that while bike traffic increased by 81% from 2008-2012, the crash rate decreased by 34%. Nearly half (114) were caused by failure of bikers to stop or yield at a sign. Another 34% occurred while riding in a crosswalk or sidewalk.

Their own study, Lancelot continues, identified the top crash intersections and corridors as North Broadway, North and South Federal and West Colfax. A total of 510 crashes occurred along these 22 miles of roads.

His point: At no time was the Alameda Ave. corridor identified as a HIN or High Injury Network!

Modest Modifications

Lancelot, along with his neighbors living along the Alameda-Steele St. corridor, says that if the city wants to improve conditions it can be done with much less expensive modifications which would benefit both pedestrians and bikers without restricting vehicular traffic and making it unnecessary to narrow lanes

Their suggestions are to leave lanes on Alameda and Steele as is. Paint vivid crossing walks on Steele and Alameda (there are currently none). In place of or in addition to the flashing pedestrian crossings on Alameda, install push signals similar to the one at Cherry Creek South which alerts drivers to yield to pedestrians and bikers. A four-way stop sign would not be beneficial at the intersection since it would impact ingress and egress at the Citadel and Polo Club Condo buildings. Should speed become an issue, Alameda could have audible tire grooves cut about 100-ft. from the intersection to warn drivers .

Do not change parking styles or directions on Steele because it would create more traffic congestion. Furthermore, residents say bike lanes are not necessary if the street width is maintained. Restricting turns from Steele onto Alameda is not necessary. “It would be a hindrance not an enhancement to smoothing vehicular traffic.” Finally, homeowners and those that travel through the neighborhood say a stoplight could be installed on Alameda between University and Steele to regularly stop traffic at peak hours to allow pedestrian and cars to cross or enter Alameda, similar to the light at 8th and High Street in Cheesman Park.

Bacon And Beer Classic Coming To Denver For 4th Annual Fest

by Mark Smiley | Apr 29, 2019 | Travel

by Mark Smiley

The 4th Annual Bacon and Beer Classic will be held at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on Saturday, May 11, 2019. Attendees will be treated to unlimited bacon dishes prepared by local chefs from 30+ Denver restaurants, 100+ craft beers from regional breweries, music, games, and more on the Broncos’ iconic home turf. There will be two sessions, afternoon (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and evening (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.).

This fest has quickly become one of the more popular ones in a sea of beer fests throughout the metropolitan area. One thing that makes this fest unique is the fact that guests are on the field of Mile High Stadium. And, those that purchase a VIP ticket are able to have exclusive access to the visitors’ locker room for a sampling of pork belly and different craft beers.

All attendees will be able to bob for bacon, sample beer in a blind taste test, strut in the bacon beauty pageant, and compete in the Hormel bacon eating contest. Guests also will be able to try their hand at giant Jenga, strike a pose at the photo booth, battle it out on the bungee run, and brand themselves with bacon and beer-inspired tattoos.

As always, tickets are all-inclusive, which means you can sample bacon and beer throughout the stadium without ever taking out your wallet. Choose from three ticket types: General Admission, Power Hour, or VIP. General Admission tickets start at $69, Power Hour tickets start at $89, and VIP tickets start at $119.

VIP and Power Hour ticket holders enter the stadium an hour early through an expedited line. VIPs also enjoy access to an exclusive lounge in the visiting team locker room with a pork belly tasting, limited-edition craft beer, a donut wall, and beer and cheese pairing. All tickets include a commemorative tasting glass and access to the Bacon and Beer Classic mobile app for vendor information, a stadium map, and more.

Visit www.baconandbeerclassic.com for information and to purchase tickets. Chronicle readers can take advantage of an exclusive 15% discount by entering GLENDALE at checkout.

Experts Address Economic Growth: How Far Can Colorado Go?

by Mark Smiley | Feb 25, 2019 | Travel

(Before We Have To Fix Stuff?)

by Ruthy Wexler

The invitation to this year’s South Metro Denver Chamber’s “Economic Forecast Breakfast,” held at CU South, said attendees would learn “how Colorado businesses will fare under the new [Democratic] legislature.” But speakers at the January 18 event eschewed partisan concerns and concentrated on the big picture. J.J. Ament, CEO of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, painted the positive half of that picture, describing past successes and a limitless future, while economist Henry Sobanet lobbed gentle warnings to the sold-out crowd: the world has changed, and Colorado must change with it.

Education And Transportation

Moderator, Lone Tree Mayor Jackie Millet, began the discussion — “How can we be successful, as a state, as a region? We can accomplish so much as a collective!” sounding a theme of collaboration that presenters would echo, in different ways.

Millet introduced Sobanet (“I always learn something when Henry talks!”), currently CFO for Colorado University, previously budget chief for Colorado governors Bill Owens and John Hickenlooper; Sobanet did, in fact, explain economic concepts in an unusually clear fashion.

“The world does not look like it did 10 years ago,” Sobanet began. “Ways of making a living have changed. The model of retiring after 30 years with one corporation, — certainly changed. Demographics have changed …”

Sobanet showed how the 65-and-older demographic will grow disproportionately by 2025, as will the 85-and-older set, previously not considered significant. Another rapidly growing group: those just entering the workplace.

“Fifteen to 20 years of globalization, a lot of automation and these demographic shifts … These are the forces underpinning economic issues.

“The aging population and the resultant impact on revenue and spending … are going to collide with an incoherent school finance system and insufficient money for infrastructure,” Sobanet outlined, then simplified: “The challenge going forward is education and transportation.”

Bad People Or Bad Systems?

The knotty heart of the matter, Sobanet offered, is three Colorado laws: the Gallagher Amendment, which in 1982 changed the way property tax was configured; TABOR (taxpayer bill of rights), which in 1992 began limiting the amount of revenue Colorado can retain and spend; and Amendment 23, which in 2000, changed how Colorado funds public schools.

As intently as everyone stared at Sobanet’s slides of pie charts and percentages, many found it difficult to grasp exactly how they connected. “I’m a financial person and even I didn’t quite understand,” said Louis Llanes, founder of Wealthnet Investments. But Llanes, like everyone, got Sobanet’s gist: these laws will prevent Colorado from getting the revenue it needs to thrive.

“Isn’t TABOR set up so if Colorado needs cash, they can ask the voters?” someone asked.  

Yes, said Sobanet, who pointed out it wasn’t sensible to put these decisions on voters’ shoulders. “The laws, you’ve seen, are complicated. And for politicians to say they want taxes raised is political suicide.

“I’d like you to entertain a hypothesis,” Sobanet offered. “Is it bad people or bad systems?”  

Colorado Loves Business!

J.J. Ament took the floor in typical upbeat fashion — “Let’s talk about economic growth!” — and recalled just how rapid Denver’s growth has been. “Back in the ’80s, you could drive a car from Union Station to the State Capitol Building and not worry about hitting a soul.

“Now, everyone wants to live here,” beamed Ament. “The Denver International Airport flies more places non-stop than any other airport! Denver is a brand!”

The potential for economic growth is endless if we do it right, Ament opined. “Denver is comprised of some 70 communities. But we have to take a regional approach. Businesses go elsewhere if they see we can’t get along.”

When Amazon put out requests for proposals in 2017, Ament gathered business leaders and submitted a package, including a film he showed that morning: ordinary and famous Coloradans happily claiming, “Colorado loves the outdoors!” “Colorado loves the Broncos!” “Colorado loves business!”

Amazon chose to build elsewhere but Ament, unfazed, regards the submission process with pride. “We spoke with a collaborative voice. Not with 70 different voices. One voice.” He shared other companies that recently relocated to Colorado, “like the VF Corporation, which brought 6,800 jobs.

“This is our goal,” Ament stressed. “The creation, recruitment and retention of good jobs.”

Takeaways

“My biggest takeaway was how we’re sweeping problems under the rug,” said Tom Skelley, of Evolution Communications Agency in Littleton, adding, “I really liked something J.J. said. ‘In between Utopia and the Apocalypse, we need legislators who make decisions based on facts, not ideology.’”

“I am one politician,” said Millet, “who advocated for sales tax to pay for transportation.”

“Colorado’s one of the top five states,” said an attorney on his way out the door. “But we got a C+ rating for infrastructure.”

“Now that you know a little bit more about how the systems work,” Sobanet said, “tell your public officials you would back them to change the system …

“The whole purpose of coming to an event like this is not just to make your business better. It’s making it all better.”

Not Here

Attendees began walking to their cars. Under the big Colorado sky, statues of bears and wolves dotted the snowy, quiet campus. “I’ve heard Henry has been pushing to raise taxes for years,” said a realtor who owns her own agency. “But it’s not gonna fly. Not here. There’s got to be another way.”

Hilltop Neighbors Claim Victory In Defeating Green Flats Project

by Mark Smiley | Jan 28, 2019 | Travel

Denver City Council Votes Against Proposed 3-story Condominium Project On Holly Street
by Mark Smiley

In a stunning turn of events, Hilltop residents, led by Lise Uhrich through an intricate petition process, were able to force the Denver City Council to require a super majority in order to approve a 3-story, 23 condominium project earmarked for Holly Street in between Alameda and Cedar in the Hilltop Neighborhood. On January 7, 2019, the project passed with an 8 to 5 vote, one vote shy of an approval.

According to City of Denver, neighboring property owners who oppose the rezoning may file a protest petition with the City Council no later than seven days prior to the City Council public hearing to trigger a super-majority vote requirement (as opposed to a simple majority) at the public hearing. Protest petitions require signatures from owners of 20 percent of the total land area within 200 feet of the subject property.

The required number of signatures were collected by Uhrich and the neighbors and thus required the super majority of the City Council. Mary Beth Susman, who represents District 5 where this proposed project sits, voted in favor of the development.

In a Facebook post she has since removed, Susman stated: “Last night I voted to support a re-zoning proposal in my district that would have given the neighborhood more control on the scale and design of the project. However due to super majority requirements, even though it was supported 8-5, it failed. Now the area that has a use-by-right for denser housing can be built with no input required from neighborhood or council.”

Susman continues: “Providing a variety of housing opportunities so people of different incomes have access to all our neighborhoods is an important goal for 21st century communities. Inclusivity leads to a diversity of ideas and problem solving and a community knitted together by geography rather than separated by income.

“I also believe in neighborhoods having some say about scale and character. Now we’ve lost both by denying this re-zoning. But I have a renewed commitment to inclusive neighborhoods like we built at Lowry and Stapleton with the participation of all voices.”

Local relator Denice Reich, who has been vocal in her opposition, disagrees with Susman’s assessment: “. . .the development lost 15,630 sq. ft. of space when its zoning change was voted down,” said Reich. “The developer will now only build on 10,209 sq. ft. This allows the other 15,630 sq. ft. to remain single family and allows the area to maintain some of its green space and keeps another unnecessary concrete monstrosity from being built.”

Denver City Council District 5 candidate Amanda Sawyer, who is opposing incumbent Mary Beth Susman in the May election, also sided with the Hilltop neighbors: “Community members expressed their concerns that the development would have towered over the single-family homes and one-story businesses on the block, and that it would have been out of character for the neighborhood,” said Sawyer. “Not to mention the safety and traffic issues at one of the main entrances to the Hilltop and Crestmoor neighborhoods. Because of community involvement, now what will be built on that property is 15-20 smaller condos that will provide housing opportunities for the ‘missing middle’ price point but add less density and — hopefully — fit better with neighborhood character.”

Other critics say this kind of project does not belong in the neighborhood, especially along Holly Street where 20,000 cars pass by each day according to a 2014 study. This study was done before the building that contains Park Burger was built.

So, a plan that was hatched early last year and moved through the process through most of 2018 is now off the board. Jason Lewinston, the developer for the project, will have his resilience put to the test. Currently, it does not appear he has enough support from the neighbors or the City Council to propose another project.