Denver voters were presented with an ambitious package of bonds aimed at funding infrastructure projects. The $550 million “A through I” bond package and tax increase was heavily promoted as a chance to make Denver a world-class city. The common-sense approach of “pay now or pay more later,” also resonated with voters.
As a voter, I really appreciated the a la carte structure of the bonds. Following is a brief description of each with the associated dollar amount:
- A – Maintenance of infrastructure, 2.5 mill property tax increase yields $27 million annually for capital improvement
- B – Human services, $48.6 million for animal shelter and health and human services
- C – Library bonds, $51.9 million for maintenance and energy improvement and three new libraries
- D – Road bonds, $149.8 million for street repairs
- E – Park bonds, $9.4 million for irrigation updates, park restoration and new rec centers
- F – Office bonds, $10.4 million to refurbish city buildings with emphasis on energy efficiency
- G – Cultural facility, $60.5 million for museum and cultural capital improvements (concert hall, nature and science, botanic gardens)
- H – New cultural facility, $70 million for expansion of concert hall and nature and science museum
- I – Public safety, $65.2 million for new crime lab, fire station and renovations
The bipartisan community panels that worked hard to involve residents and prioritize planned spending deserve a lot of credit. The city’s mayor, John Hickenlooper, also deserves a lot of credit for his inclusive approach to problem solving. Hickenlooper is part of a new wave of businessmen-turned-politicians that take a moderate bipartisan approach to politics. I liken him to New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, with the same roll-up-your-sleeves attitude of tackling community problems.
It’s a good feeling to live in a city that takes a progressive view toward livability improvements. I’m also excited that my own new-urbanism neighborhood of Stapleton stands to gain a new recreation center and library from the new bonds.
