Project Angel Pride

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Meeting: Project Angel Pride Committee
Social Room, East High School
August 25, 2005
Minutes

The meeting of the Project Angel Pride Committee (the “Committee”) was brought to order at 8:05 a.m. Thursday August 25, 2005. Those attending were: Wes Ashley, Don Brandes, Marcia Breit, Lois Brink, Kathleen Butler, Kathy Callum, Victor Cortes, Stephanie Cross, Matt Derrick, John Freyer, Jr., Marcia Goldstein, Mark Hoskin, Dave Jorschumb, Helen Kuykendall, Josh Mancelli, Sarah McCarthy, Sheila Murphy, Chris Peterson, Ira Selkowitz, Carol Schomp, Jim Slotta, and Melanie Weiss-Turner.

The meeting was called to order at 8:05 a.m. by Kathleen Butler. Everyone briefly introduced themselves. The following Board Members were introduced: Lois Brink, Kathleen Butler, John Feyer Jr., Mark Hoskin and Helen Kuykendall. George Pond, the final board member, was unable to attend the meeting.

Kathleen Butler and Mark Hoskin acknowledge the many contributions and accomplishments of Louise Connor, one of the founders of Project Angle Pride (“PAP”). Louise acted as head of PAP until June of 2005, when she resigned. As a means of acknowledging all her achievements PAP plans to plant a tree and install a plaque on the new East High School Entry Plaza next fall.

John Freyer, Jr. moved that the May 26, 2005, minutes be approved as written and they were approved unanimously.

Kathy Callum remarked that she really missed the geraniums that were planted around the “E” last year. There will be flower beds in the new East High Entry Plaza which is scheduled to be finished by the start of school next year. Mark Hoskin and Kathleen Butler said that they would look into having some annual flowers planted this fall to brighten up the front of the school.

Kathleen Butler explained that at the end of last year the Colfax Business Improvement District and PAP shared the expense of having the trash picked up from the campus once a week during the last two months of the school year. This year the Colfax Business Improvement District will not be able to assist with the campus clean up. It was suggested that PAP fund the clean up for the next four weeks until the school clubs get up and running in order to keep the campus clean rather than have a messy campus. Once a week on a rotating basis the school clubs take turns picking up trash around the campus. In addition, Parks and Recreation cleans the campus once a week. The cost to PAP for a once-a-week trash clean up for the campus will be about $100.00 per week. Lois Brink suggested that vinyl signs be made and hung around the campus urging the students to be responsible with their trash. Josh Mancelli said he would talk to the art teacher about making the signs. Helen Kuykendall said that there were 14 55-gallon trash cans stored somewhere on the campus for trash. Kathy Callum said that the art department was ready and willing to paint the can. Wes Ashley agreed to find the cans and saying that he really needed a few to put around the new track and playing field. It was agreed that PAP would pay for the campus to be cleaned once a week on Wednesdays for the next four weeks, and then reassess the situation.

Dave Jorschumb updated the Committee on the GO Bond fund improvements. Dave said that the beautiful new track, field and parking lot were substantially complete. Everyone agreed that they looked wonderful. The tennis courts that were removed will be replaced later this fall in City Park. The other improvements to the school funded by the GO bond include the cleaning the facade of the school, roof repairs, tuck pointing the building, the baseball, football and softball fields were completely renovated and re-sodded, and a new boiler was installed.

Mark Hoskin reported that an asphalt pad was installed to accommodate bleachers on the west side of the new field and funded by PAP. There will be eight sections of bleachers installed, which will be put together by the athletes and interested parents. Power and conduits for a scoreboard have also been installed with funds from PAP. Mountain States Bank has agreed to donate a score board for the new field. A representative from Comcast is also interested in possibly donating an additional scoreboard. Another donor has indicated that they will donate one-third of the cost for lighting the new track and playing field. John Freyer, Jr. asked Wes Ashley about the status of the athletic equipment. Mr. Ashley indicated that there were gaps and out-dated equipment and agreed to talk to the coaches and get a wish-list together. Mark said that movable bleachers at the baseball, soccer and lacrosse fields might be donated by PAP. Wes said that he would inquire about matching funds from DPS for field lighting. Mark said that DPS has been extremely helpful and accommodating throughout the project. All the improvements in the northeast corner of the campus were not included in the original scope of work for the GO funds. The field lights and score board will need approval from the Landmark Commission and probably the Zoning Commission. Kathy Callum will contact Mike Langley, of DPS to seek approval for PAP to approach the Landmark Commission about approvals. Helen Kuykendall will get an application for the Landmark Commission to Wes Ashley.

Ira Selkowitz reported that he is authorized to submit an application for North, South and West High Schools to the National Register of Historic Places based upon a fee structure set by Historic Denver.. He will be submitting an application for East and he confirmed that national historic designation does not carry any additional requirements but the nomination does carry quite a bit of prestige. Ira said that Mike Langley approved the application and was excited about the designations. Ira will give a copy of his final application to Marcia Goldstein of Alumni and Friends of East to review before submitting the application.

Victor Cortes of the St. Charles Town Company updated the Committee about the Lowenstein Theater. He said that purchase of the property and zoning approval were completed in May, 2005. They are planning a unique urban cultural center. Twist & Shout, the Tattered Cover and the Denver Film Society will be the major tenants with some additional retail and restaurant tenants. The complex will include a 7 story parking structure with 315 parking spaces as well as some ground level parking. The St. Charles Town Company will be seeking state and federal historic designation for the Lowenstein Theater. Construction is scheduled to begin in about a month and the first tenant planning to open will be the Tattered Cover in July 2006. The other tenants will open over time through the following spring.

Wes Ashley reported that there will be a Dedication Ceremony for the new athletic field on September 2 kicking off in the gym and moving to the new field. Mayor Hickenlooper and new Superintendent Bennet are among the dignitaries expected to attend. The press is also expected. The events will start around 1:45p.m. Qdoba will be serving samples, DPS food services will provide cookies and punch and there will be a live performance by a mystery guest. Melanie Weiss-Turner has been helping to coordinate the dedication events.

Don Brandes and Chris Peterson of Design Studio West presented their preliminary plans for the renovation of the East High Entry Plaza. The proposed plans incorporate additional outdoor seating, a larger entry plaza and maintain the “E” as requested by students at a student charette. The plan provides ADA access from both sides of the plaza to the front door of the school; existing ADA access is at the back of the school. There were many questions and comments and it was decided that a lunch meeting be set up to review the plan in detail. Kathleen Butler agreed to set up a luncheon meeting.

Helen Kuykendall of Denver Parks and Rec. (“DPR”) updated the Committee on the Montclair Storm Basis Project stating that engineering contracts worth $8 million had just been signed. Helen said that the deadline to apply for a State Historical Fund (“SHF”) grant is October 1, 2005. She proposed that we request a $90,000 planning grant to cover design now and then next year apply for a construction grant after the esplanade is completed. There is $300,000 allocated in the 2006 DPR budget for a match on the construction costs. Helen said that the Sullivan Gateway restoration will be priority for this grant cycle due in large part to the public support generated by PAP. Helen informed the Committee that the Thatcher Fountain was working. The Dolphin and Lions Head Fountains both require significant repairs and should be tied to the Sullivan Gateway project. The survey of Sullivan Gateway performed by Nan Anderson of Andrews & Anderson Architects, PC will form part of the SHF grant application as will an explanation about the relationship between the Esplanade and the Lowenstein “junior’ esplanade.

Kathleen Butler said that she had agreed to take on the responsibilities of Director of Fundraising and Wes Ashley agreed to be the Director of Construction Management. Anyone who would like to act as Secretary of the PAP Board should contact Kathleen.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m.

The next general meeting of the Pride Angel Pride Committee will be Thursday, September 29, 2005, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. in the Social Room at East High School.

Respectfully submitted,
Sheila Murphy
August 25, 2005

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