Holly Square in northeast Park Hill has seen quite the transformation in the past six years.
From a shopping center that was burned to the ground in 2008 to the work that has been put in since by organizations such as the Urban Land Conservancy and the Office of Economic Development, among others, Holly Square — at 33rd Avenue and Holly Street — has made a big comeback.
Now the Holly Area Redevelopment Project (HARP), a nonprofit group of residents and stakeholders with a newly formed board of directors, is gearing up for the next phase of development on the remaining 1.2 acres in the square.
“There’s no one use in the people’s minds at this point,” said Tony Pickett, vice president of master site development for the land conservancy and a member of the HARP board of directors.
Recently, the conservancy partnered with the Colorado Construction Institute to build an elevated walkway that links the Jack A. Vickers Boys and Girls Club in Holly Square with the Hope Center almost two blocks away.
The project cost $70,000 and was funded by the Office of Economic Development, which sold Holly Square to the conservancy in 2009.
“We’re very keen on Holly Square and very optimistic,” said development office spokeswoman Susan Liehe.
At a community build day March 22, volunteers came out to finish the project, unofficially wrapping up the first phase of development Holly
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Gerie Grimes is chairwoman of the HARP board and also president and CEO of the Hope Center. She said that the group will likely begin accepting development proposals sometime this month and take them through the early summer. The key will be to compliment the existing Boys and Girls Club, Hope Center and Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center.
Grimes said there are many options including a community center or a school. The HARP board hopes to see a proposal that would help seniors or young adults.
“In being a native and over here for 32 years, I have seen progress, growth and the springing back to what every neighborhood should have,” Grimes said. “It’s exciting to see different businesses and collaboration.”
The revitalization hasn’t been without strife as Terrance Roberts, leader of the Prodigal Son Initiative, an anti-gang outreach program for at-risk youth, was arrested for shooting a gang member at a rally in September 2013 in Holly Square.
Prodigal Son is now called the Impact Empowerment Group and conservancy spokeswoman Christi Crane said the community has done a good job of moving on.
“There was some tragedy last year, but the community bounced right back and is still involved in creating positive change,” Crane said.
Crane added that the community has been and will continue to be very involved in the process of planning the future of the square. Some community members serve on the HARP board, including Eric Swan, who also works for Office of Economic Development.
He said he’s been able to make the effort a big part of his job, and that he will continue to go to community members when proposals start rolling in
He added: “We’re still engaging community to see what they would like to see, very open to hearing what people would like.”