To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Gini Pingenot, Director, Open Spaces
Prepared By:
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Michele Frishman, Grants and Acquisitions Manager, Open Spaces
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Subject:
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Grant of Easement for High Line Canal Trail Underpass at Yale and Holly
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
Staff requests that the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) adopt a resolution authorizing an easement with the City and County of Denver for the construction and maintenance of a new High Line Canal trail underpass near the intersection of East Yale Avenue and South Holly Place and authorize the Open Spaces Director to sign the easement. Staff discussed the proposed easement with the BOCC on February 3, 2025.
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Background and Discussion: The City and County of Denver plans to construct a new underpass for High Line Canal (HLC) trail users beneath East Yale Avenue and west of South Holly Place at the boundary of Arapahoe County and Denver. Arapahoe County and Denver Water, which has retained rights on the property, have reviewed and approved the construction plans; work is expected to begin in June 2025. Arapahoe County contributed $500,000 to the project; Denver is responsible for the remaining project costs.
A permanent easement and a temporary construction easement are needed for Denver to complete the project. BOCC authorization is only required for the grant of the permanent easement, which would allow Denver to construct, reconstruct, maintain, repair, and utilize a trail underpass, including retaining walls, pedestrian ramps, and appurtenances. Denver must maintain the installations at no expense to Arapahoe County, and the plans for any future work on the underpass must be approved by Arapahoe County.
Staff recommends issuing the easement at no cost because (1) the new underpass would provide significant benefits and improve safety for HLC trail users; (2) if Denver eventually takes ownership of the portions of the HLC corridor within it...
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