An Aug. 14 neighborhood meeting gave residents of Cuernacava Park a chance to air concerns over the upcoming Tent State University, a protest event expected to bring up to 15,000 protestors to the area.

The meeting was held at the Flour Mill Lofts building, 2000 Little Raven St., an upscale loft complex located directly adjacent to Cuernacava Park. The discussion grew heated at times as residents questioned the long-term effect the protest will have on the park grounds, which are currently in pristine condition.

"I guarantee you that our park will be so damaged from this that it will take at least five years to fully repair," said Steve Clodfelter, a resident of the Riverfront Tower building at 1590 Little Raven St. "This event is clearly too big for this area."

Approximately 60 residents attended the community discussion, which was led by representatives from the mayor's office. Organizers with Tent State University also were on hand to discuss plans for the event and take questions from the audience.

Tent State University -- scheduled to be held Aug. 24 to 28 in conjunction with the Democratic National Convention -- is a protest event designed to motivate young apathetic voters, said Adam Jung, an organizer with Tent State. The tents that are put up are largely symbolic.

"It's a visual aid to symbolize how higher education is homeless," he said.

The city will not allow them to sleep in the tents overnight and police will enforce an 11 p.m. curfew.

The five-day protest was originally going to be held at City Park, but organizers decided to change the location to Cuernacava Park because it's closer to the Pepsi Center, said Tent State organizer Jojo Pease. Protestors will walk from the park to Pepsi Center to stage rallies in opposition to the Iraq war.

The marches in particular were a source of tension for several residents and area business owners.

"How is the city going to deal with 1,000 extra cars in this neighborhood?" asked Glenn Ehrlich, owner of Corks The Wine Store, 1620 Platte St.

Questions over parking issues were brought up often during the hour-long meeting. Tent State organizers said the group will encourage protestors to park in certain lots and will make parking signs available.

"We're also encouraging the RTD trip planner," Jung said.

Katherine Archuleta, senior advisor to the mayor, said the city's parks and recreation department is up to the task of repairing any damage incurred during the protest.

"We are very good at recovering parks," Archuleta said, noting the city routinely cleans up after major events such as A Taste of Colorado. "We cannot afford to let any of our beautiful parks and areas get damaged."

Deputy Chief Michael Bautista assured a "significant" law enforcement presence at the event, but declined to give specific details.

"You'll have on-duty resources for you," Bautista said.