Supporters of an $18 million bond issue to fund renovations in the Cherry Creek North shopping district appeared to defeat opponents by just eight votes Tuesday night, but 19 provisional ballots must still be counted.
The unofficial vote count Tuesday evening was 146 in favor of the bond issue and 138 against. Three ballots were determined to be “spoiled” and not included in the count.
The 19 provisional ballots were either mailed in without copies of the voters’ identifications or were ballots cast in person by voters who did not provide the proper ID, said Christina Brickley, interim chief executive of the Cherry Creek North Business Improvement District.
The BID has until Friday to verify the IDs and count the remaining ballots, she said.
Gallery owner Tam O’Neill, an outspoken opponent of the bond issue, called Tuesday’s unofficial results a “squeaker” but said she was encouraged by the level of participation in the bond election.
“The great thing is that people are taking ownership and caring about the system enough to participate,” she said.
The board of the Cherry Creek North BID is seeking the money to fund various renovations, including landscaping, lighting and signs. The proposal emerged as a divisive issue among merchants and revealed simmering tensions in the neighborhood of upscale stores, restaurants, salons and galleries.
Supporters say the neighborhood is overdue for a renovation that would help maintain its status as a popular shopping destination.
“The underlying principle of markets is that you have to keep up and reinvest,” said Dave Morton, co-owner of Andrisen Morton men’s and women’s stores in Cherry Creek North.
Opponents have said they’re being asked to sign a blank check to fund improvements they say haven’t been adequately defined. Some opponents also questioned the BID’s leadership, alleging that it is not taking merchants’ opinions into account.
Some merchants directed their complaints at BID chief executive Marc Schtul, who resigned in late September. Schtul said the controversy did not directly affect his decision but said he wanted voters to be aware of the leadership changes before casting their ballots.
The Cherry Creek North BID is funded by a portion of the property taxes collected in the district. BID leaders have said the bonds would be repaid with future revenues and would not result in tax increases.
The election was held at the BID headquarters and by mail. It was conducted independently of Tuesday’s statewide election.
Staff writer Kristi Arellano can be reached at 303-954-1902 or karellano@denverpost.com.
