UpDoNA- It's where Brooks Tower lives!

What is UpDo?

You've likely heard of LoDo or Lower Downtown - the area roughly bounded by Larimer Square to the South, Auraria to the West, Coors Field to the East and Confluence and Riverfront Park to the North. But where's Brooks Tower?

Brooks Tower is located in UpDo - Upper Downtown to the South (and higher - or upper - in elevation).

What is a Neighborhood Association?

Registered Neighborhood Organizations or RNO's are a Denver City government initiative helping neighborhood groups get recognition by City Council and advisory panels.

Is the Business Improvement District an RNO?

The Downtown Denver Business Improvement District is an RNO and is part of the broader Downtown Denver Partnership. The City says, "BID's function like RNOs while focusing on the commercial interests of their neighborhoods." Still the BID provides services that help us at Brooks Tower - and not just our commercial neighbors on the first floor. Often seen around are Downtown Denver Partnership/BID employees in purple:

• The folks who drive ATV's around downtown, cleaning walls, sidewalks and taking care of plants or putting up the holiday lights on the 16th Street Mall.
• The security folks who walk around downtown, yup they work for the Downtown Denver Partnership/BID too.
• There is even an app to get the attention of all these folks: The Clean & Safer App.

So the BID is an RNO – for downtown businesses. Are we at Brooks Tower covered by a Registered Neighborhood Organization?

Upper Downtown Neighborhood Association

We are encompassed the Upper Downtown Neighborhood Association (UpDoNA). UpDoNA is the Registered Neighborhood Organization that covers Brooks Tower today. Its boundaries are Lawrence Street on the North to Colfax on the South and Speer Boulevard on the West and 20th Street and Broadway to the East. What does UpDoNA do though?

UpDoNA Accomplishments:

• Convinced the city to install lighting changes, and to make underground improvements at 14th & Stout to prevent the release of steam from the manhole covers to discouraged illegal campers from that corner.
• Worked with city on the shelter that operated in place of the Aloft Hotel which it was shuttered. UpDoNA's efforts resulted in interim improvements such as increased security patrols, and improved safety, aesthetics, and ultimately the closing of the shelter on April 30, 2023.
• Partnered with STEP Denver and The Delores Project to provide UpDoNA support to these sobriety and housing-oriented charities.
• Helped the Spire management to complete a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design assessment, resulting in a $5,000 grant to Spire for installation of scissor gates.
• Testified before the House and Senate Judiciary Committees on the Fentanyl Accountability And Prevention bill. UpDoNA's recommendations were ultimately included in the final bill.
• Became an Advocacy Partner in Together We Will Initiative at the request of the Downtown Denver Partnership.
• Met with owner of SIP Lounge in the Spire about challenges with how the business was operated. Fortissimo Dueling Pianos replaced the SIP Lounge and has since become an UpDoNA business member.
• Facilitated a Trespass Agreement for the Beirut Grill building allowing Denver Police to arrest trespassers without needing the owner to report them.
• Convinced Rick’s Cabaret to install a gate in their alley to lessen loiterers.
• Organized the recent National Night Out in concert with LoDoNA and Downtown Denver Partnership.
• UpDoNA President was invited to join the Police Advisory Board.

UpDoNA's Newest Committees:

• Scooter Committee: To improve safety of scooter/pedestrian interactions. Chair of Committee asked to join Councilman Chris Hinds' Scooter Town Hall.
• Good Neighbor Committee: To help control operation of businesses taking out new liquor licenses. Specifically focuses on noise, hours and lines outside.
• Arts & Beautification Committee: Some examples of this committee are with Downtown Denver Partnership to increase tree canopy by 250% and working on a self-guided tour of the parks in the RNO boundaries (Skyline Park, Sculpture Park, Creekside Park).

Social Events and Membership Drives:

• UpDoNA's had steady growth in membership - over 170 people and 13 businesses!
• At least one Membership Drive was held here at Brooks Tower this last year.
• Organized two debates between District 10 City Council candidates.
• Conducted multiple cleanups including around Brooks Tower, Spire and One Lincoln Park
• Working with members at One Lincoln Park to clean up nearby persistent encampments.

Join UpDoNA:

To help keep up momentum and tune-in to the City and neighborhood, either owners or renters – anyone who owns and/or lives at Brooks Tower – can join UpDoNA. After all, UpDoNA is made up of individuals doing clean-ups, meeting with neighbors, meeting with City leaders and thinking how we can make our neighborhood better.

To join in the discussion, please see How to Become a Member and join to get on their e-mail list or join in on their events.