P.S. You Are Here Fund
TOOLKIT/ HERRAMIENTAS
PD Tu Estas Aquí: herramientas - en español
TOOLKIT FOR PROJECTS IN DENVER’S PUBLIC SPACE
WHERE DO I START?
Below are some guiding resources to help you with your project.
IDENTIFY PROJECT IDEAS AND POTENTIAL PARTNERS
- Reach out to your district or neighborhood organizations, or engaged residents to identify an opportunity in the community
- Contact your Council District office for ideas about organizations in your district and sites suitable for proposals
- Review the list of Registered Neighborhood Organizations
- Approach local businesses, organizations and entrepreneurs to develop a collaborative, community-driven project
- Encourage participation among long-time residents and neighbors
- Consider community dynamics and local history in your area
- Raise awareness by notifying other groups in your neighborhood about your project
WHEN IDENTIFYING A SITE, CONSIDER:
- Review available maps of Denver. The Denver Moves: Bicycles Program is one that is a good starting point, as it features many parks, trails and other public spaces. Our Helpful Links section contains many other maps that may be useful.
- Review the Interactive Map of Property Owners to determine the owner of a space. Remember, projects must be in public space, defined as an area that is free and open to the public, such as an alley, park, plaza or streets.
When developing a budget, be sure to show projected income and expenses, and identify in which areas the grant funding would be utilized:
Example Budget:
Income
- Grant Request Amount
- Additional Funding Sources, if any (crowdfunding, sponsorships, in-kind donations, etc.)
- Volunteer Hours (valued at $20/hour)
Expenses
- Managing/planning
- Supplies
- Art/Design Services
CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT PUBLIC SPACES
Here are some additional considerations to be aware of when creating a proposal, some of which may require additional permitting, design, engineering, approvals or other considerations. Our P.S. You Are Here committee can help through these implementation and planning needs.
- Due to the sensitivity of some areas, proposals for certain sites may require additional review (right-of-way, parks, etc.)
- Parking space/parklet projects may be challenging due to street cleaning occurring April through November
- Street painting projects proposed for functional streets may require a thorough review process with the city (specific paint type, color type, street closures, etc.)
- Projects in alleys will need to ensure adequate space for garbage and recycling pickup
- Due to time required and difficulty in coordination, proposals involving utilities and rail lines are not recommended
- Any proposal at an intersection will have to be mindful of sight lines and not blocking clear visibility for pedestrians & vehicles
- Any structures located in Denver parks may require full-plan review to ensure proper site restoration with seed/sod and irrigation, and to ensure no impacts to tree roots
- Applicants are responsible for any maintenance required during the project’s display
- Consider what happens at the end of the project. How will the project be de-installed? Will it be adopted by your group or some other organization? Who will maintain the project?
- Safety first; be sure your projects are designed well and are structurally sound for the duration of display
Maps
- Map of Denver Neighborhoods: www.denvergov.org/maps/map/neighborhoods
- Denver Council Districts: www.denvergov.org/maps/map/councildistricts
- Map of Parks (maintained by the City and County of Denver): www.denvergov.org/maps/map/parks
- Interactive Map of Property Owners: www.denvergov.org/maps/map/property
- Denver GIS Maps (maps showing a variety of urban data): www.denvergov.org/maps/search
- Transit Oriented Development in Denver: www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/transit-oriented-development.html
- Denver Bike Map: https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/transportation-infrastructure/programs-services/bicycles/bike-maps.html
Neighborhoods
- Registered Neighborhood Organizations: www.denvergov.org/maps/map/neighborhoodorganizations
- Adopted Neighborhood Plans: www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/community-planning-and-development/planning-and-design/completed-plans.html
Permitting and Design Standards
- Public Works and Right of Way services permitting: https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Departments/Community-Planning-and-Development/E-permits (pwpermits@denvergov.org or 303-446-3759)
- Right of Way: https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Department-of-Transportation-and-Infrastructure/Programs-Services/Right-of-Way-Services
- Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Design Standards: www.ada.gov. Assistance can also be found by contacting the Denver Office of Disability Rights at 720-913-8485
- CDOT Special Use Permits: Contact Kirk Allen, Region 1 Permit Manager, State of Colorado Department of Transportation, at 303-757-9531 or kirk.allen@state.co.us
- RTD Permits: Contact Susan Altes about special use permits for RTD property at Susan.Altes@RTD-Denver.com
QUESTIONS? CONTACT US
Please contact us directly for further assistance or with eligibility questions:
Brendan Picker
brendan.picker@denvergov.org
720-865-5563
For project specific inquiries you can also reach members of our committee directly:
- Denver Public Works: Karen Good, karen.good@denvergov.org, 720-865-3162
- Community Planning, Neighborhood plans and ideas: Lilly Djaniants, Lilly.Djaniants@denvergov.org, 720-865-3075
- Insurance & Risk Assessment: Devron McMillin, devron.mcmillin@denvergov.org, 720-913-3345