L&L Developments Inc. has filed a preliminary site plan with Denver Community Planning and Development for a 15-story, 713-unit multifamily tower on the La Loma Mexican restaurant site in the Jefferson Park neighborhood in Northwest Denver.
The developer could not be reached for comment.
However, Rafael Espinoza, who not only represents Jefferson Park, but lives there, is not thrilled by the idea.
“Unfortunately there will be people completely unimpacted by this project that will say, “What’s the big deal?” said Espinoza, who represents District 1.
“I assure you that the quality of life will be replaced, and only those who lived there past and present will know what that was,” Espinoza said, if the proposed tower is built.
“It will be hardest for those that choose to ride out the redevelopment and associated blocked access and construction noise,” Espinoza added.
He also is worried about noise and congestion, if the tower is built.
The preliminary drawing was submitted to the city by Shears Adkins Rockmore.
Final renderings are not yet available.
SAR declined to comment.
However, a person familiar with SAR’s work said the firm is skilled at positioning even large projects into a variety of neighborhoods and the Jefferson Park project will be no exception.
SAR currently is designing a number of high-profile and infill projects, including 9th and Colorado, the South Main Station, Dairy Block, 1707 and 1777 Chestnut, PearlWest in downtown Boulder, 85 South Union and Alexan West Highland.
La Loma, a fixture in Jefferson Park for the past 40 years, meanwhile, plans to build a new restaurant near the Denver Downtown Aquarium in the Platte Valley, about a half mile away from its current location.
