Sullivan’s Gulch Neighborhood Plan
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Downloads and Links
Neighborhood Plan 2018
​Current draft/revision for discussion
​​Neighborhood Action Plan 1987
2035 Comprehensive Plan and updates
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Forward
Purpose
Climate Action
Social Justice/Diversity

​1. Neighborhood identity
History
Land Use Plan (existing and forecast)
Goals/Action Plan​

2. Land Use/Urban Design
Non-conforming Uses
Access to Service Centers
Design Compatibility
Goals/Action Plan

3. Transportation
Inventory: Cars, Parking, Alternate
​     Modes, Transit Options
Origin/Destination Travel Behavior
Goals/Action Plan

4. Housing
Demographics/Tenure
     (existing and forecast)
Mix, Condition, Diversity,
     Carbon Footprint
Non-conforming uses
Goals/Action Plan

5. Neighborhood services/Economy
Employment and Services
     (existing and forecast)
Opportunities/Constraints
Goals/Action Plan

6. Recreation/Open space
Inventory: Parks, Trails, Other
Deficiencies, Needs, Opportunities
Goals/Action Plan

​Appendices
Land development actions archive?
Information from old web-site,
     1987 plan?
Inventory data
DRAFT FOR COMMITTEE REVIEW​

​1. Neighborhood identity

Sullivan’s Gulch has much to offer. Accessibility is one of our strengths. Our location is convenient to the Central City, to regional employment and shopping districts, and to major transportation facilities. The neighborhood’s character is diverse with buildings representative of architecture from the early 1900’s to the present. The neighborhood’s spirit and pride is exemplified by the active involvement of residents in civic matters.

Proximity, however, is not without challenges. The I-84 freeway and Union Pacific train traffic is noisy. Neighborhood streets carry “through traffic” from other city neighborhoods. Rising land values are making affordable housing more and more difficult to find. Our aging housing stock requires constant maintenance, which owners may defer if the stability of the neighborhood is in doubt. In particular there is pressure to replace single-family dwellings, many over 100 years old, with higher density housing.

Geography
The neighborhood takes its name from the ravine on our southern border. Once home to salmon, ‘Hooverville’ shanties, and a golf course, the Gulch today is home to the Banfield Freeway the MAX light rail, and Union Pacific freight. The neighborhood has a solid residential core with a mix of housing types. There is very limited vacant land within the neighborhood but there may be development opportunities bordering the gulch for open space and commercial uses.
Gulch History
Reference web-site

Demographics
  • Population
  • Employment

Social Equity
SGN is a diverse neighborhood in terms of its housing stock but ethnically is predominantly white. Ethnic diversity has declined as the cost of housing has increased. Like most neighborhoods in the city transportation is dominated by car use. There is a significant homeless population that needs housing and safe places to reside. The following steps are intended to improve social equity and diversity.
  • Increase affordable housing choice.
  • Increase affordable transportation options.

Climate Action
Sullivan’s Gulch has the fortune to be located close to employment and services centers, which allow residents to substitute low impact bike, pedestrian, and transit trips for auto trips. The neighborhood is home to an aging housing stock. Improving the energy efficiency of buildings is encouraged. The neighborhood also has several locations that may be suitable for community solar investment. These include rooftop solar on large commercial buildings and the potential to promote neighborhood investment in more remote community solar projects. These exchanges will significantly reduce the neighborhood’s carbon footprint.
  • Increase opportunities to reduce motor vehicle trips.
  • Increase the energy efficiency of buildings.
  • Invest in community solar.

Livability
Sullivan’s Gulch is a delightful walkable neighborhood but needs safety improvements to enhance livability. There is a significant homeless population that needs housing. Many homeless individuals experience mental health, drug, and alcohol addition and frequent criminal justice system interactions. The neighborhood also is without a functioning local park. Open space is at a premium with virtually all land developed. Pedestrian scale lighting is missing in many areas.
  • Invest in public/private lighting to enhance pedestrian safety.
  • Invest in pubic open space and recreation resources.
  • Invest in housing options and support programs that serve homeless persons.
Current committee discussions
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