Roots Elementary School Breaks Ground at Holly Square
March 10, 2016 – Urban Land Conservancy celebrated the groundbreaking of Roots Elementary at Holly Square in Denver’s Northeast Park Hill. Scheduled to open in August 2016, the construction of the new facility is underway and the community is thrilled to bring this new asset into the neighborhood.
Jon Hanover, Founder of Roots said, “There is a saying that it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to raise a school.” There were many partners in attendance who were part of the larger collaborative that are responsible for the successful opening of this innovative new elementary school.
Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock was in attendance, and spoke of his childhood in the neighborhood, noting the historical importance of Holly Square, “This place was the heartbeat of Park Hill, seeing it transform after some difficult days is incredible.”
Gerie Grimes, Executive Director of the Hope Center and Board Chair of the Holly Area Redevelopment Project has worked in the community for years and has seen the successes and challenges of the neighborhood, “The fire in 2008 ended up revitalizing this community, we could then set the direction for what could be.”
Roots Elementary is the latest development at Holly Square, the new adjacent Jack A. Vickers Boys and Girls Club was constructed in 2013. ULC has a 99 year ground lease in place on both properties to ensure Holly Square provides community benefit for generations to come!
