LOCAL NEWS SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER WITH WRAPPING PAPER INSPIRED BYVOICE VENDORS BY ELISABETH MONAGHAN CREDIT: ROBERT DAVIS ONE THING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS NOT AFFECTED is Denver VOICE vendors’ holiday spirit, which means once again, the VOICE’s December issue includes wrapping paper with festive designs, inspired by our vendors. Even so, you will notice that the pandemic played a starring role in several of those designs. Our first design came from Brian Augustine, whose illustrations remind us that “social distance doesn’t bother me, as long as remember that you are so close to my heart.” Keeping with the theme of celebrating the holidays while being mindful of other people’s health, Rea Brown’s charming design shows a young man staying a safe distance from his snowman friend. The design inspired by Lando Allen is that of Santa smiling as he raises his arms in the air and with the word “Joy” floating above him. Raelene Johnson’s illustration of a crackling fire and fireplace with the words, “Merry Christmas, Best Wishes,” evokes the warmth of the holiday season. Jerry Rosen’s artwork inspired the wrapping paper with Christmas trees and candy canes. Jerry Mullinex, our newest vendor of the six mentioned here, created his paw print design with the help of his dog and frequent visitor to the VOICE office, Starla. Each participating vendor will receive $35 for their design, which is a small reward for the generous holiday spirit their creativity brings to this issue and the smile they will bring to the fortunate souls whose holiday gifts are wrapped with the vendors’ designs. BY ROBERT DAVIS THE CROWN JEWEL OF THE LORETTO HEIGHTS campus is on its way to becoming a 72-unit affordable housing development for families in southwest Denver. Known as the Pancratia Hall Lofts, the development is the result of a two-year community engagement effort. It will comprise “large apartments for families,” including 15 threebedroom apartments and two four-bedroom units, according to city officials. All of the units will be income-restricted, serving families making between 30 and 80 percent of the area median income, according to the Department of Housing Stability (HOST). Amenities include a landscaped courtyard, a business center, and open space for future shops and restaurants. Funding for the project was secured through a complex web of loans and tax credit financing. HOST provided a $3.3 million grant, while Denver utilized a slew of Private Activity Bonds, federal and state historic tax credits, and several loans from banks and investment firms. “Denver is proud to be a partner on this affordable housing project and historic restoration, one that aims to house families in our community and keep them housed,” Mayor Hancock said in a statement. “We are thrilled to be working with our partners to ensure these units are kept affordable for Denver families for decades to come.” Pancratia Hall is named after Mother Pancratia Bonfils, a nun educated by the Sisters of Loretto and founder of the Loretto Heights Academy, which was a Catholic boarding school for women. 6 DENVER VOICE December 2020 The Academy, built in 1889, predates Denver’s chartering. Pancratia Hall was constructed in 1929 with its red sandstone bell tower that has served as a landmark for Southwest Denver. During World War I, the campus was a training grounds for Colorado soldiers. In 1918, the Academy was a degreeattaining institution for women. This was two years before the passage of the 19th Amendment guaranteed women’s suffrage. Over its 120-plus year history, the building has been part of several educational institutions. After the Academy closed in 1941 due to declining enrollment, it served as dormitories and classrooms for Loretto Heights College. In 1988, the college was sold to Teikyo University, which operated Colorado Heights College for 29 years before selling it to Westside Investment Partners, Inc., in 2018 for $16.5 million. After the sale of the campus, Denver City Council rushed to pause development on the site until a land use plan could be developed. This effort resulted in City Council adopting the Loretto Heights Small Plan in 2019, one which incorporated 100 percent of the community comments into the final document. Many of the comments concerned keeping the Loretto Heights history alive for future generations. “It turned anxiety over potential loss into excitement for a lively, welcoming addition to our part of town where new neighbors of all means and cultures could prosper, the community could gather together with them, the campus buildings could be restored and re-used, and the rich legacy of the Spirit of Loretto could be preserved,” Councilman Kevin Flynn (District 2) said in a statement. ■ I PANCRATIA HALL TO BRING 72 AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS TO LORETTO HEIGHTS
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