Settled by Jewish immigrants in the 1880s and home to Denver’s first public housing project, this strip of a neighborhood—one of the poorest in the state—is on the precipice of enormous change.

Oddly named Sun Valley given its semi-industrial location and past, this narrow enclave bounded by Federal Boulevard on the West, the Platte River and I-25 to the East, Mile High Stadium Circle and West 18^th Avenue to the North and 6^th Avenue to the South, encompasses Empower Field at Mile High along with a few historic single-family homes and older public housing projects. Meow Wolf’s white-slab of a building looms just to the East and West Colfax sluices through.

In 2017 the Denver Housing Authority received a $30 million Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to reimagine what this close-in neighborhood could be and develop a plan for it. The agency is now in the throes of the $240 million Gateway redevelopment effort (expected completion date is 2023) that’s replacing legacy public housing with hundreds of brand-new units along with housing that would include both market-rate and moderate-income units. When all’s said and done, there will be easier street access to the neighborhood, the population is expected to double and there will be more park space and jobs.

Working with Urban Ventures, Adrianna Abarca is redeveloping Sun Valley buildings owned by her family into the Latino Cultural Arts Center, which will display the family’s Mexican and Chicano art, host exhibits and workshops, operate a café and cantina and sell artisan’s goods. (You can shop their award-winning shop Hijos del Sol’s Ofrendas Mercado starting Oct. 9, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. by appointment 720-353-2233.) An arts focused school for youth is also in the works.

Just this month, Decatur Fresh, a small market with produce, international foods, grab-and-go and other items is opening in this former food desert. The market will also be offering a paid training and internship program for Sun Valley residents interested in pursuing customer service or grocery management careers and work with the nearby the Osage Café, which employs underserved youth, as well as the Sun Valley Grow Garden, a DHA community garden that offers produce to residents at little-or-no cost.

Though much of this mixed-income community is still taking shape, Steam on the Platte has completed its first phase of development, transforming an old warehouse into office space that includes a coffee shop, conference rooms, yoga studio and indoor bike storage. Raices Brewing Co. has opened on another part of the 3.2-acre development with a riverfront patio and future phases will include additional office space and housing.

Neighborhood residents can also avail themselves of multi-modal transportation options. There’s a light rail stop at Decatur and Federal, nearby bus stops and access to biking on the South Platte and Lakewood Gulch Regional Trails.

Consider Sun Valley a work in progress. There’s aging infrastructure that needs to come down and new projects on the books. But keep your eyes peeled. This multi-income, inclusive neighborhood promises dynamic urban living, entertainment that ranges from immersive art to football, opportunities to stay active and development that takes the neighborhood’s history and people into account.

Sun Valley Highlights
Population: 1,500
Location: Immediately southwest of downtown Denver
Housing stock: New rowhomes
Public schools: Denver Public Schools
Public high school: North High School, West High School, DSST: Byers High School
Nearest hospital: Denver Health Medical Center
Nearby parks: Rude Park, Paco Sanchez Park, Lower Lakewood Gulch Park
Fun fact: Future projects in Sun Valley include an 11-acre riverfront park and a restaurant and business incubator