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#9Neighborhoods: The transformation of Five Points

Once economically challenged, this neighborhood has a renewed sense of commitment to is residents and its businesses.

<p>The Rossonian Hotel and Lounge opened in 1929 when jazz joints and dance halls were lining Welton St. It remained at the top. It was popular from World War II until the mid-1950s when both black and white Denverities would flock to the elegant club.</p>

FIVE POINTS - Over the past few weeks, we have been asking you to share the things you love about your neighborhood, and we've been thrilled by the responses!

Whether the shops and restaurants drew you to your location or your decision was based on low-crime rates and great schools, you told us what matters most. Time and again, you told us the Five Points neighborhood has a strong sense of community and culture.

Running along Welton St in Northeast Denver, the Five Points Historic Cultural District went dormant for years, but is now going through what is being called a "rebirth of energy and interest."

If you haven't been to the Five Points neighborhood in the last few years, you might not recognize the transformation.

Murals, restaurants, shops and businesses are adding life back into the historic cultural district.

The Rossonian, a hotel listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is rumored to be renovated in the near future.

Denver Fire Station Number 3 has been in operation since 1931 and was once home to an all African-American fire fighting unit. Today, building improvements show a location filled with history and standing strong into the future.

The five-way intersection that gave the neighborhood its name came to life in the 1860's.

A vibrant jazz scene welcomed the likes of Billie Holiday and Miles Davis. Parts of Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" was written here as the author regularly frequented spots like The Rossonian.

After years of flourishing, the area went into a decline. Drugs, crime and urban flight left many homes and businesses abandoned.

But within the last several years people have been drawn back to the historic area. Restaurants, breweries, million-dollar condos, clubs and shops are being built every day.

The Five Points business district is a membership and non-profit organization created to revitalize economic growth on the Welton St corridor.

Tracy Winchester, executive director of the organization, says "the pride of the community is reflected in the name Five Points, which denotes entrepreneurship, resourcefulness, and artistic creativity.

Those who reached out to us on social media told us that the neighborhood is great because of its proximity to downtown, because they see it as the next "it" neighborhood and it's an area full of history, tradition and a strong sense of community.

Five Points currently has a population just over 20,000 with an average household income of $50,000.

Denver's neighborhoods each bring a different flavor to our city and we want to know what makes each one special. Tell us about your favorite using #9neighborhoods.

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