The chattering class is hoarse. The public is preparing for the Super Bowl. The striptease has gone on too long.
In fact, the citizens of Denver might consider referring a ballot initiative to extend mayoral term limits to 24 years from the current 12. That way, a mayor needing ample time to consider every possible ramification of a decision might be able to commit and have enough time remaining to accomplish something.
Mayor John Hickenlooper’s indecision about where he might best serve may result in a decision by default. In the meantime, there are far better uses for his considerable political capital than burning it because the fire is pretty.
Hickenlooper has a talented Cabinet, including first-rate appointees directing the mayor’s office. History demonstrates however, that an incumbent politician running for re-election – much less a new, higher office – is particularly risk-averse. That is, if you are trying to maintain stratospheric approval ratings, translate local popularity to a broader audience or reinforce the public’s confidence in your leadership, the re-election year is characterized by maintaining the status quo at all costs. When the major focus of your team – regardless of how talented they are – is to avoid mistakes, damage control takes over and important or controversial decisions are avoided.
If he decides to stay put, the mayor may have another six to 12 months to make several urgent decisions. If he runs for governor, long-term, pressing decisions will be in jeopardy. It is critical to the future of Denver for a strong and powerful leader to:
Weigh in on Union Station. As it sits, the plan that’s emerged from the exhaustive Union Station Advisory Committee’s three-year process articulates a community consensus but hardly reflects what should be Denver’s No. 1 priority: ensuring 18th Street extends to the Platte Valley instead of dead-ending at the tracks behind the station.
The plan includes extending 18th Street but it’s not included in the Phase One development agenda. That’s because three or four years ago, Denver should have found a way to pay for putting heavy rail underground (or over) and didn’t.
Not extending 18th Street means circulation around the station for cars, buses and pedestrians will be constrained. In addition, access to the Platte Valley, the riverfront and its amenities will be limited to 15th Street, practically guaranteeing the northern edge of the property and the plaza will be lifeless.
Play a strong leadership role in realizing development at the former Gates Rubber Company factory on South Broadway. This 50-acre-long abandoned parcel must be the jewel in the crown of mixed-use, transit-oriented development in the metro area, setting a high standard for the build-out of FasTracks.
The site needs a high-profile, politically powerful advocate, someone with the will, vision and visibility to fight for great design, pedestrian scale and quality materials.
The public hearing and final vote on the project occurs Monday night in City Council chambers. The mayor should be there to articulate a broad and strategic vision for this key city project.
Insist the new Justice Center adds dignity and enduring quality to Denver’s century-old Civic Center. Denver boasts one of two fully realized City Beautiful Civic Centers in the nation. The jail and the courthouse will characterize Denver for as long as the city exists. They symbolize the most important principles of democracy: justice and the rule of law.
Champion the transformation of the Denver Botanic Gardens into a world-class model of physical, environmental, social and economic sustainability. The gardens can become a singular example of how the interplay of horticultural expertise, natural resources and informed stewardship evokes an exciting message of hope to future generations.
Remind the police department and your appointees to the Civil Service Commission who they work for.
Mayor Hickenlooper has accumulated unprecedented political capital during his two-plus years in office. He must invest it in the city he’s been elected to serve.
It’s not earning interest.
Susan Barnes-Gelt served eight years on the Denver City Council and was an aide to former Denver Mayor Federico Peña.
