ULC Urban Update March – April 2016
ULC Urban Update
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Community News
Developer and Tenant of Evans Station Lofts Discuss Affordable Housing in Denver
In April, ULC sat down with Medici Communities, ULC’s partner developer and a tenant of Evans Station Lofts, an affordable housing development that includes 50 rental apartments as well as commercial space across from RTD’s Evans Station. To the average passersby, Evans Station looks like a beautiful, restored warehouse. It is by no means your traditional affordable housing project with its vaulted ceilings, state of the art appliances and rooftop terrace. To learn more about Evans Lofts, click here.
Blue Star Recyclers Improving Community Through Equal Employment
This past March, ULC met with Bill Morris, the CEO and founder of Blue Star Recyclers, located in the Social Enterprise Foundry. Founded in November of 2009, Blue Star Recyclers hires members of the disabled community to run the backbone of the nonprofit. When Morris decided to completely change careers after 25 years, he took notice of two major issues in the community. One being the current employment rate of disabled persons, and the other was the nation’s critical lack of effort in regards to ethical recycling. And when the two were combined, a revolutionary business was born.
According to Morris, the unemployment rate is a pressing issue facing the disabled population today, as less than 20% are currently employed. Morris believes wholeheartedly that this problem stems from social differences and nothing more. According to Morris, disabled persons make excellent employees, and he has the research, statistics and experience to prove it. To read more, click here!
PC’s For People Converts Recycled Computers From Scrapped to Salvage
Founded in Minnesota in 1998, PC’s for People does exactly what its name suggests, and offers refurbished and affordable computers to the community. They opened their Denver doors in July of 2015.
After reading our story featuring Blue Star Recyclers, you might have asked the questions, “But what about any salvageable computers and other electronics? Does everything get recycled, shipped away and melted down?” Well the answer is no, not quite. Blue Star thought this through upon opening their Denver operations in ULC’s Social Enterprise Foundry warehouse, and invited PC’s for People to share their space. To learn more about our awesome tenant, click here!
Events and Happenings
Grand Opening of Park Hill Station Apartments Welcome 156 Units of Affordable Housing to Denver
April 21st marked the grand opening of Park Hill Station Apartments, which signified the completion of the phase one of development for ULC’s Park Hill Village West property.
Purchased by the Urban Land Conservancy in 2013, this TOD site is located at the corner of 40th and Colorado Boulevard, which is now the second stop on the new University of Colorado A Line Commuter Rail (read about the A Line grand opening here). This new affordable housing complex, developed by Delwest, is comprised of 156 units and many amenities. To learn more about this development, and Park Hill Village West as a whole, visit our site!
Partner Spotlights
ULC Features Two Partners Who are Dedicated to Improving the Lives of Metro Denver Residents
Every month ULC showcases the incredible work of a partner organization who shares in our mission of improving lives and making a positive impact in the Denver region.
Colorado Construction Institute (CCI) is a nonprofit training organization providing innovative 21st century pre-apprentice and apprentice programs where people learn the soft and hard skills necessary to bridge the middle-skills gap. Read about how ULC’s March Partner Spotlight is training individuals to become builders of their community and their future by providing trade skills, leadership skills, and field work experience that will lead to sustainable employment opportunities earning a living wage.
ULC was excited to celebrate the grand opening of Park Hill Station Apartments alongside our April Partner Spotlight Delwest, especially with the A Line Commuter Rail’s grand opening the following day! Partners such as Delwest are an essential ingredient to accomplish the bold future we all envision for Denver as a place for all to live and realize their dreams of prosperity.