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Committee moves Globeville Recreation Center use agreement with Denver Dream Center to council floor after debate over community engagement
Summary
The committee voted to advance a three‑year use agreement with the Denver Dream Center to program the former Globeville Recreation Center for $90,000 over three years. Deputies acknowledged a gap in services, some councilmembers questioned the decision not to re‑run a full community engagement process, and DPR committed to robust outreach during the contract term.
The Parks, Arts and Culture Committee voted to move a proposed three‑year use agreement with the Denver Dream Center to the council floor after extensive discussion about community engagement and program design for the Globeville Recreation Center (4496 Grant Street).
Jesus (community engagement specialist, DPR) told the committee the RFP for the center was publicly posted and that three proposals were scored; DPR selected Denver Dream Center as the recommended tenant. The proposed agreement would make the center available to the Dream Center for three years with total rent payments of $90,000 across the term and programming availability the vendor indicated would include about 95 weekly hours and seven‑day access.
Councilmembers raised concerns that DPR relied on the 2017 community RFP rather than repeating a robust community engagement process for this renewal. Councilmember Daryl Watson and others said that omission created distrust in the neighborhood. John Martinez, deputy executive director of DPR, said he “take[s] full responsibility” for not re‑running the full community process and acknowledged that the department probably “missed the mark.” Joel Clark, DPR’s executive director, told the committee the department would commit to looking at what a renewed community‑informed process should be during the contract term and to involve community partners as the Dream Center and others begin operations.
Pastor B, founder and director of the Denver Dream Center, described the organization as faith‑based but community‑oriented and said their programming model includes reentry, recovery, youth sports and food access. Representatives from Globeville First (Milo Valdez and Rebecca Trejo) described their role as local partners who will seek space and voice inside the rec center for community programming.
Councilman Watson moved to send the use agreement to the council floor; Councilmember Hines seconded. The committee recorded a roll call: Madam President Sandoval — Aye; Council Member Hines — Aye; Lewis — Nay; Renee Campbell — Aye; Watson — Aye; Adam Terralitres — Aye. The motion passed and the item will appear on the council floor for final action.
DPR said the prior operator’s contract ended late last year, creating a gap in services; staff committed to reestablishing programming quickly if the council approves the agreement and to conducting robust community engagement once the tenant is installed.
