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Denver council rezones 1060 South Emporia to city open space, clearing path for neighborhood park
Summary
The Denver City Council unanimously approved Council Bill 25-0579 to rezone a city‑owned, just under 2‑acre vacant parcel at 1060 South Emporia Street from OSB (private open space) to OS‑A (city open space), a move Councilmembers said preserves park access in a neighborhood lacking a nearby park.
The Denver City Council on June 9 voted 12‑0 to rezone a vacant parcel at 1060 South Emporia Street to OS‑A, designating the lot as city-owned open space for future park development.
Abner Ramos Alcedo of Community Planning and Development, who gave the staff report, said the parcel is “a little under 2 acres” that the city purchased after prior private proposals did not move forward. “This rezoning will improve access to opportunity by creating, more equitable access to quality of life amenities like a public park and open space in a currently vacant lot,” Alcedo said during the presentation.
The rezoning changes the site from OSB (private open space) to OSA (open space owned and operated by the city and Denver Parks and Recreation). Staff pointed to consistency with the city’s comprehensive planning documents and noted the action would help the city meet its 10‑minute‑walk park standard in a neighborhood that currently lacks nearby park space.
Community member Jesse Lashawn Paris, who signed up to speak at the public hearing, asked for specifics about proposed uses and benefits. “I just want to confirm that this is gonna be a bathhouse, like what is gonna be here?” Paris asked, pressing for clarity on how the property will be used and what community benefits are planned.
Councilmember Amanda Sawyer, whose district includes the parcel, said the city acquired the property using Parks Legacy funds and hailed the purchase as keeping a promise to the neighborhood. “We now own this land. It is closed. It is ours that we are currently rezoning,” Sawyer said, and noted Denver Parks Trust contributed $75,000 toward the purchase. She also said the parcel has been included in internal conversations about possible bond funding to build out park infrastructure.
The council completed a roll call and passed Council Bill 25‑0579 on final passage, 12 ayes to 0 nays. With the rezoning approved, councilmembers said next steps will include funding decisions for design and build‑out, potentially through a future bond proposal or Parks Department budgeting.
The public hearing record and staff report will remain part of the official file for Council Bill 25‑0579.
