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10 16 NO VACANCY AT THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH HOSTEL
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Owner claims city licensing and zoning, not safety prevents reopening by J. Patrick O’Leary The International Youth Hostel, 630 16th Ave., won’t be reopening anytime soon—if ever—according to building owner Richard Mitchell, who cited zoning and licensing issues as roadblocks. Denver Fire Department (DFD) shut down the residential boarding house on Aug. 23 following an inspection by the city’s Hotel Task Force. The fire department cited numerous safety violations, but the Mitchell told Neighborhood Life it was a pretext for permanent closure. “The inspection was triggered by a report from a city agency and not an individual,” according to DFD Public Information Officer, Melissa Taylor. The Hotel Task Force is comprised of representatives from the city attorney’s office, the Department of Public Health, police and fire departments, Environmental Health, the Building Department, City Excise & Licensing and Denver Human Services. “I don’t know which agency may have initiated [the action] or what the initial concerns were,” Taylor said. Upon inspection, a natural gas leak in the boiler room was the most significant safety violation and required an immediate shutdown. Taylor said other violations included missing or impaired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, exit signs and emergency egress lighting; excessive storage of combustible material in the basement and light shafts; unsafe electrical wiring; rear stairway/balcony collapse hazard; extension cords being used in place of permanent wiring; holes in drywall (which reduces resistance to fire) and blocked paths of egress.
Two companions enjoy the swings at Tail Tracks Plaza. The new public space, finished in November of 2015, is not quite a year old, and fills the old Wewatta right-of-way between Delgany and Wynkoop. Photo by Jeff Hersch Taylor called the shutdown unusual because the DFD usually works with owners to keep commercial buildings open, especially housing. Businesses are asked to correct code violations and are later re-inspected, unless the violations impair “life safety.” Taylor said the hostel was last inspected in September 2015 and no violations were found. Previous inspections found minor infractions. The last notable violations were found in 2010—uninspected fire extinguishers, improper maintenance of exit signs, accumulation of flammable or combustible material and improper maintenance of heating appliances. Taylor said the hostel has not contacted DFD for a re-inspection to lift the shutdown order.
ROSENBERG’S RISES FROM THE ASHES by J. Patrick O’Leary
10 16
Rosenberg’s Bagels and Delicatessen will reopen this month, after repairs are made and equipment replaced at the 725 E. 26th Ave. eatery. The deli shut down in May after a fire—and murder—in the apartment above. “We will be open in October. We just cannot commit to a particular day,” said Rachael Wilson, Director of Operations. “Our goal is to be open for Yom Kippur [on] Wednesday, Oct. 12.” Most of the damage to the deli was from smoke and water.
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“A large part of our ceiling fell through over the oven and kitchen,” said Wilson, “and many of the [ceiling] joists were damaged. We lost a lot of our bagel components—the former, kettle, our water filtration system—but the oven was salvaged.” She said the deli had comprehensive insurance so employees continued to be paid. “We offered to keep everyone on, and fully paid,” Wilson said. Some chose to leave, but the managers and a few line employees stayed on. The deli is now hiring replacements. Denver firefighters discovered the body of Shane Richardson, 29, in his residence above the bagel shop after extinguishing the blaze in the early morning hours of May 2. According to a press release from the Denver District Attorney’s Office, Brian Pattison, 30, is accused of killing Richard-
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But Mitchell, building owner and “houseparent,” believes more than fire safety repairs are keeping the doors closed. Mitchell said “The whole business about the gas leak was simply a justification.” He added he was present during the inspection and only one “sniffer” device was used and it “barely registered” anything. Mitchell said after the shut down the city attorney called a meeting with seven city departments, including zoning, excise, fire, public health and Community Planning and Development and presented a report with continued on page 7
son sometime between April 30 and May 2, then setting the home on fire. On May 26, he was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree arson and multiple counts of possession of a weapon by a previous offender. Richardson had no connection with the deli, other than both were tenants in the building. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our neighbor and friend, but our place in the neighborhood, and our relationship with our customers are paramount,” said Wilson. “We want to be sure everyone knows we are not going anywhere.” Rosenberg’s recently obtained space is a commissary, which allowed the staff to produce food during the closure and show up at “pop-up” events at The Source Market Hall in RiNo and the Cherry Arts Festival. “We wanted to maintain a presence in the community,” continued on page 2
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