Denver's Big Plans: Housing, Safety, and Downtown Revival

Denver's mayor, Mike Johnston, recently shared his plans for the city's future. He wants to tackle several big issues. First, he aims to reduce crime, especially gun-related violence. Second, he wants to help more people find homes and get off the streets. Third, he plans to boost downtown Denver by filling empty buildings and attracting new businesses. Last year, Denver saw some progress. The number of homicides dropped by nearly half. The city also reopened the popular 16th Street mall. However, not all goals were met. While more people found temporary shelters, overall homelessness actually increased. The city fell short of its goal to house 2, 000 people permanently. Additionally, funding cuts at the federal and state levels slowed down plans to add affordable housing.This year, Johnston wants to build on what worked before. He plans to focus police efforts in areas with the most crime. He also wants to create more housing for people of all income levels. For those experiencing homelessness, he aims to provide steady support to help them become self-sufficient. Some of the new goals include reducing gun-related homicides by 10% and shootings by 20% in high-risk areas. The city also wants to cut street homelessness by 75% by early 2027. Additionally, they plan to add 2, 500 affordable housing units and approve permits for 5, 000 new homes. Downtown Denver is another focus. The city aims to fill 3 million square feet of empty office and retail space. They also want to support clean energy projects and add green spaces. While these goals are ambitious, they address real challenges facing Denver. However, it remains to be seen whether the city can achieve them. Success will depend on effective strategies, community support, and available resources.