Neighborhood Spotlight: Elyria

Nathan Heffel wrote an article titled, "Globeville And Elyria-Swansea: Gentrification Wary, But Looking For Change", which reflects some of the challenges currently faced by residents in the Elyria neighborhood.
 

Credit: Nathan Heffel / KUNC

You’ve most likely driven through the Globeville/Elyria-Swansea neighborhoods, or more precisely, you’ve driven over them. Sitting at the junction of Interstates 70 and 25, the community of roughly 3,000 has been dissected by several elevated portions of interstate. For lifelong residents like Liliana Flores Amaro and her extended family, the gigantic gray slabs of concrete are a physical reminder of what the area has endured. “You know, it’s really funny,” muses Flores Amaro. “There’s sort of a contradiction where people in different areas of the city might not even know that we’re in Denver, right?.”

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Brick homes built in the 20's sit between factories and rail yards.

Nathan Heffel KUNC

With the revitalization, there’s a fear of gentrification in the neighborhood. Other renovation projects in Denver, such as the Northside and Highland neighborhoods have pushed a once largely immigrant population away as home prices have soared. “People want to be able to have amenities and services that any other neighborhood has in Denver, and still be able to afford to live there,” Flores Amaro said.



The Yards at the National Western Stock Show
Credit: National Western Stock Show

One of the most recognizable parts of the Elyria neighborhood, particularly during the month of January in Denver, is The National Western Stock Show, an integral part of the neighborhood since the early 1900’s. 

 

To read the full article, click here.

For more information, check out our website - http://www.extremecommunitymakeover.org/About/Elyria.aspx