OPED: GSA planning proving lethal to Fed Center critters

SUBMITTED BY: Chris Jones

LAKEWOOD – The wildlife struggling to survive along the McIntyre Gulch at the Federal Center shall perish as the result of the General Services Administration (GSA) upgrades. Planting 700 trees will not make up for the many animals that have suffered and been destroyed by GSA because of development.

GSA claims to be remaking the Federal Center into a sustainable campus. It is clear that the GSA does not consider wildlife to be sustainable or even worthy of co-existing in open space. GSA has not made any provisions to save or include any wildlife in their self-proclaimed green and sustainable campus which is to remain for the next 100 years.

Imagine the Federal Center void of wildlife for the next 100 years. I can’t.

The final master site plan recommended areas to remain as wildlife habitat because public comment demanded it. However, GSA continues to ignore this fact because undeveloped land where wildlife can co-exist is not profitable. Developed land full of buildings, parking lots, and ball fields will make GSA and the City of Lakewood buckets of money.

Sadly, money and the potential for profit far outweighs the taxpayer’s wishes to save wildlife or the foresight to allow life to flourish in the world in which it was created.

If you value wildlife, open space, and want them to remain on the Denver Federal Center for the next 100 years please contact: Sally Mayberry, GSA Public Affairs Officer, Denver Federal Center 240, Denver Colo., 80225-0000; phone (303) 236-8000 ext. 2322; fax: (303) 236-3606;  cell phone: (303) 941-7637; Blackberry PIN: 30E2ADC6; Email: sally.mayberry@gsa.gov; or contact Mayor Bob Murphy, Lakewood Mayor’s Office: 303-987-7040; Email: bmurphy@lakewood.org.