As previously reported in GlobeSt.com, Perry, principal of HGV Land Co., which developed the New Urbanism-style Highland Garden Village on the site of the old Elitch Gardens amusement park, plans a 40,000-sf Neighborhood Market on an empty field at West 38th Avenue and Wolff Street.
Many in the neighborhood, however, are up in arms over the development.
The North Denver Tribune, a free newspaper distributed in northwest Denver, for example, has run many letters criticizing the new grocer. And signs protesting the development are popping up in lawns throughout the tree-lined neighborhood. People also have picketed Perry's home and his wife's high-end restaurant, which often has made top 10 lists in the Denver area.
Perry tells GlobeSt.com that that although he disagrees with his vocal opponents, it comes with the job. However, he says he is "deeply saddened" by things such as the picketing.
However, Mary Anderies, president of the West Highland Neighborhood, in a letter to the North Denver Tribune, tried to defuse some of the emotions around the issue.
The neighborhood group, along with city councilman Rick Garcia, are sponsoring the Thursday meeting at North High School.
"It is important that throughout this process that all parties treat each other with respect," Anderies wrote in the letter to the North Denver Tribune.
She also notes for the past five years, Perry has tried to land many potential anchors, including a health club, grocery store, health food and drug stores.
"After five years of negotiations, no other potential anchor has stepped forward," she writes.
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