Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper delivers his second State of the City address today. I don’t have an advance copy, so I have the luxury of imagining what he’ll talk about.
This year’s speech may include a reference to Hickenlooper’s being named one of Time magazine’s five best big-city mayors. No doubt he’ll also mention the hiring of a civilian police monitor; voter approval of the new justice center, FasTracks and the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District tax renewal; a couple of new programs for kids; and the recent appointment of his former chief of staff, Michael Bennet, as Denver Public Schools superintendent.
He may also tout new development review and permitting processes, updating the zoning code and investments along East Colfax. He should take a bow for helping with the Colfax Marathon, debuting in May 2006.
Hickenlooper, two years into his first term, ought to end by offering a vision for the second half his term: concrete, measurable goals that stimulate the economy, improve safety and contribute to the quality of citizens’ lives. His words should inspire, energize and focus his administration, City Council and citizens.
A broad but tangible vision for the second half of his term sets the stage for his 2007 re-election. In the next two years, I hope the mayor will:
Establish an Office of Mobility and Neighborhoods directed by knowledgeable, experienced mayoral staff and recognizing the unparalleled opportunity of FasTracks. How well this system is planned and implemented will have as much impact on Denver’s future as Mayor Federico Peña’s focus on DIA, the railroads at the turn of the 20th century or Robert Speer’s vision of a City Beautiful.
If FasTracks is going enable us to reshape this fragile landscape, stimulate the economy and contribute to the city’s long-term livability, the mayor and his staff must set policy and play a powerful, high-profile role in delivering on that promise. The office should be charged with guaranteeing every decision about design, connections to neighborhoods, capital investment priorities and type of service (heavy rail, light rail, bus rapid transit, etc.) will be directed by priorities more nuanced and proactive than on-time/on-budget. RTD is a transit agency with an agenda far narrower than Denver’s. Denver must advocate for Denver.
Adopt a new approach to maintaining Denver’s assets – parks, public buildings and roads. Recent data reveal that the $40 million a year Denver spends on capital maintenance is at least $20 million short of simply maintaining the status quo. That’s why the city’s trees are in danger; and parks and parkways need new plantings, tree trimming, restrooms and attention to historic structures, statues and fountains. This annual shortfall means faded street signs aren’t replaced, graffiti isn’t scrubbed and street maintenance is lagging. It’s also why our mountain parks are neglected and irrigation systems are inadequate.
For many decades, the city has shortchanged capital maintenance – preferring to promote a bond issue every eight or 10 years that attempts to address deferred maintenance and add amenities. That strategy doesn’t work. It’s time to fully fund annual maintenance and use bond issues for improvements, not routine upkeep.
Identify a source of reliable funding for the Denver Public Library, to offset the 34 percent decrease in local and state support and respond to increased demands and changing demographics.
Denver’s financial capacity to issue debt – a percentage of total assessed property value – is a pittance of what we can legally and fiscally absorb. Our political capacity is another story. Hickenlooper has been reluctant to increase property tax, despite the fact that Denver has the lowest property taxes in the region and is the only metro jurisdiction with free residential trash pick-up.
Mayor, the state of our city is sound. Inspire us to maintain, restore and expand on the remarkable legacy of your predecessors: a city in a park, a green oasis – livable for all its residents now and in the future.
Susan Barnes-Gelt (bs13@qwest.net) served eight years on the Denver City Council and was an aide to former Denver Mayor Federico Peña. Her column appears on alternate Thursdays.
