Denver Economic Development & Opportunity is spending $750,000 in federal funds to help bring groceries, fresh produce and workforce training to one of the city's poorest neighborhoods.
The investment for Sun Valley, approved by City Council Monday, will support a Denver Housing Authority project known as GROW Market that is part of the subsidized housing landlord's new vision for the stadium-close neighborhood west of Interstate 25.
In a $240 million,multi-year project, DHA is replacing 333 homes near West 10th Avenue and Decatur Street with 750 units, about 20 percent of which will be market-rate and 80 percent restricted to people earning no more than 60 percent of area median income. The 1,800-square-foot GROW Market at the West 10th Avenue and Decatur Street site will stock groceries and basic goods, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables from a community garden and other organic producers.
GROW will also train and employ young residents of the public housing development.
The $750,000 comes from the federal Community Development Block Grant program meant to help urban areas flourish. In a statement Monday, Mayor Michael B. Hancock said the investment could "boost economic mobility for the residents here in Sun Valley."
Ryan Tobin, DHA's chief real estate investment officer, added in the statement released by the city: "This is part of a big mixed-use phase for us and definitely the first win for the residents of Sun Valley."
Construction of the market began this spring. The store is expected to open next September.
The new DHA project and related infrastructure upgrades are expected to spur private investment in the area.
The art attraction Meow Wolf is going up just outside Sun Valley.
