Why GMCA Was Formed

Over several years, a number of houses were built and sold along and west of Alkire.  I understand that these first residents were told by the sales people that the relatively flat area west of Alkire, along the continuation of Cedar Avenue, was going to become either a park or other public area.  But then Mr. Kelley announced that he was going to build 13 apartment buildings on this land.  He proceeded to install curb and gutter for the street and also installed water and sewer lines in this extension of Cedar Avenue.  (These curb and gutter and sidewalks are still present in the Lakewood Open Space for a distance of about 5 blocks).

Apparently a number of residents did not like the change in plans for this area, especially those whose properties, along W. Dakota Avenue, would overlook the new apartment buildings.  Thus, discussions apparently began to form a Civic Association in order to present a unified position to Mr. Kelley.  I was told that two lawyers and a judge who lived in the area accomplished the creation and recording of the legal documents that formed our present GreenMountainSide Civic Association.

I do not know if the reason that the area that was to be  the extension of Cedar Avenue  beyond (west) of Alkire was never developed was the result of the formation of our GMCA Civic Association.  But I do know, and have witnessed,  that GMCA has always been active with community activities and has made major contributions to the improvements of our Green Mountain residential area.

(See also the 2012 Platt Map that shows Cedar.)  

We have had significant influence in the formation of reasonable legal building codes and housing restrictions within the City of Lakewood (like housing densities of apartment buildings, height restrictions on commercial buildings, sign codes, traffic patterns and parks and recreation.  Some of these accomplishments are discussed in other sections.