Mural of important people and places in Edgewater’s history on the north side of Lakeview Lounge at 24th and Sheridan.
How would you describe our Edgewater community to someone interested in moving here? I was asked this question earlier this week and thought with all the changes happening around our community, it might be a good time to ask around and put together some thoughts.
The answer to this question depends on the lens that you see our community through. I am a white, 40 year old man with a family and two daughters who attend our neighborhood junior/senior high school. We’ve only lived here seven years, but I’ve talked to many folks who have lived here decades and weathered many of the changes this community has seen.
So here are some of my thoughts about how to describe our Edgewater community from my own experiences informed by the stories and reflections of those who have lived here longer.
1. We are a changing community
Because of the rapid growth along the Front Range, home prices and rents in Edgewater have risen considerably over the last five years. This is a changing our neighborhoods as longtime residents sell their homes and new residents move into Edgewater. Our business community is changing too as redevelopment is happening along our main business corridors. This year major redevelopment is happening at 20th and Depew with the Edgewater Public Market and soon at 25th Avenue and Gray Street.
2. We are a community with a strong history
From its earliest beginnings at the end of the 1800s, Edgewater has always been a home to immigrants and those wanting a better life. Our community has a strong history as a working class community and the place to start the journey toward the American dream. This is a town where people bleed red as a Jefferson Saints, believe the best pizza is called a Howdy Special and have great stories from their days volunteering on the Edgewater Fire Department.
3. We are a small town in a big city
Edgewater is less than a square mile, but is its own city with a Mayor, City Council and City Manager. There are just over 5,000 residents in Edgewater but we can see downtown Denver from many places around town. This means that we have access to many of the benefits of a big city in a small town. We can walk to the light rail to get to downtown, access scooters to ride around Sloan’s Lake or jump on a bus to get to work.
4. We value diversity
We value demographic diversity and being a community where everyone is safe and valued. With rising home prices and rental rates, we’ll have to work hard to maintain our economic and racial diversity. We also like the diversity in our homes around town. Through recent conversations at the City level around zoning and home design, it is clear that many in Edgewater don’t want cookie cutter, modern homes popping up around our neighborhoods.
5. We love walking to our best neighborhood places
With our community as small as it is, your favorite restaurant, bar or retail location is within walking distance. Children can walk to school. The City of Edgewater just went underwent a mobility study and will be making significant investments to make our streets safer for those who walk and bike.
6. We are perfectly located between the mountains and downtown Denver
We are perfectly located near 6th Avenue to beat the ski traffic to the mountains. You can also easily bike to a Denver Broncos game or grab a Lyft and be in downtown Denver in minutes. It’s hard to beat our location on the west side of downtown Denver.
7. We can hear some great community stories if we are willing to listen
If you take the chance to meet your neighbors or pull up a seat at the bar, you are bound to hear some great stories from those who grew up in Edgewater and have seen lots of changes around here. Stories of the drive-in on Sheridan, the Edgewater Fire Department or skating on Sloan’s Lake. Take the time to visit Edgewater Inn or the American Legion and listen to those who deeply love our community. In our zeal to move forward and make change, we can leave people behind. Listen to the past and look to the future.
8. We are small enough to work together and find common good solutions
If we can’t work together and find common good solutions in Edgewater, then we can’t do it at a county, state or federal level. We have an opportunity to listen to each other and find common ground solutions to tough topics like housing affordability, sustainability and education equity. Even in divisive issues, we can listen and seek to understand those we disagree with because they are our neighbors.
9. We aren’t called Edgewater for nothing
Edgewater is called Edgewater because a man by the name of Thomas Sloan started digging a well in the late 1800s that flooded and became known as Sloan’s Lake. We are perfectly located on the western edge of Sloan’s Lake with a beautiful view of downtown Denver over the lake. It’s the perfect place to walk your dog, take a walk or just sit and contemplate.
10. We are in a liminal space
Though for years Edgewater was a community where people laid down roots, it seems like it is now becoming a liminal space. Richard Rohr describes liminal space as, “It is when you have left the tried and true, but have not yet been able to replace it with anything else. It is when you are between your old comfort zone and any possible new answer.” Edgewater is seeing more residents enter our community in this liminal space. They are here for a few years, build equity in a home and then move on to somewhere else for a variety of reasons. Our community needs more of these younger folks to lay down roots and call Edgewater home for years. Our community leaders also need to listen and discover what roadblocks are keepings folks from staying here for years.
So for those looking to move to Edgewater, we welcome you. Come be part of this great community. Take a walk around town and get to know folks. Meet your neighbors. Get involved. Listen to the stories of our community. Let’s all work together to create a community where EVERYONE has a chance to grow and thrive.
Joel has been a resident of Edgewater, Colorado with his family since 2012. He is the Executive Director of local education nonprofit Edgewater Collective and Editor of the Edgewater Echo.
I love this – thanks, Joel!