Hello,

Thank you for reaching out and for sharing the concerns raised by residents regarding the future of Asia Center. I appreciate the passion many community members feel for this important corridor and the cultural significance it holds for generations of Denver families.

Federal Boulevard has long been home to immigrant entrepreneurship, family-owned businesses, and community institutions that deserve recognition and respect. I understand why so many people care deeply about preserving that legacy.

I also want petition signers to have accurate information about where things currently stand. At this time, the ideas being discussed for the site remain in the concept stage. No demolition permits have been issued, and no final redevelopment approvals have been granted.

My office is committed to ensuring there is a meaningful public engagement process that includes tenants, small business owners, nearby residents, and cultural leaders before any future path is considered.

It is also important to acknowledge that the planned South Federal Bus Rapid Transit project will bring confirmed changes to this section of the corridor, including impacts to some existing parking and site access. Those infrastructure changes create real challenges for current small businesses and make proactive planning essential.

We have also been in conversations with ownership representatives, who are members of the Asian community, and they have verbally expressed a desire to preserve the cultural identity of the area and participate in a future Little Saigon / cultural business district vision.

In addition, my office has been working closely with the Mayor’s office and Colorado Asian Pacific United and engaging city partners on the creation of a cultural historic district strategy for this area. Such an effort could help establish design guidelines, celebrate heritage, and shape future development in a way that reflects the community that built this corridor.

This should not be framed as a choice between preservation and progress. Denver can and should do both: protect cultural identity, support existing small businesses, and plan responsibly for the future.

I encourage all interested community members to stay engaged in the public process ahead. My office will continue working to bring stakeholders together and ensure community voices remain central.
You can also list district7@denvergov.org email for questions.

Thank you again for the opportunity to respond.

Sincerely,

Councilwoman Flor Alvidrez
Denver City Council, District 7

Web: www.denvergov.org/district7

[Note: The Change.org Civic Engagement Team reaches out to decision makers to let them know about petitions in their community and to help facilitate engagement with supporters. The above was an email response we received regarding this petition.]