A recommendation to fund only one of three proposed new libraries in an upcoming bond issue has the City Council president crying foul.
Michael Hancock said Tuesday that leaving out two libraries in his district amounted to neglecting the city’s less affluent and influential.
Last week, Mayor John Hickenlooper’s Infrastructure Priorities Task Force made recommendations for more than $560 million in projects around the city. As part of prioritizing projects, the task force opted to recommend funding a new library in west Denver at $14 million, but not funding new libraries in Stapleton and Green Valley Ranch at $14 million each.
The task force has recommended funding half of the $27.6 million that libraries had requested for maintenance.
Hancock said that it appeared plans for libraries in poorer neighborhoods were trimmed while cultural projects that appeal to “middle- to upper-middle-class people” were not.
Francis Koncilja, a task force member, said she empathized and noted that the group “really grappled with that.”
The exchange was part of a presentation of all the city’s cultural facilities vying for money from a bond issue expected to be on the November ballot.
Brian Vogt, chief executive of the Denver Botanic Gardens, brought in artifacts from the dilapidated greenhouse to push for funding.
Doug Adams, head of the Colorado Symphony, explained the need for a renovation and lobby expansion of the Boettcher Concert Hall. Mary Hacking said the Denver Museum of Nature & Science could miss out on some exhibits without an expansion.
A public meeting to discuss the proposed bond issue will be today from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the District 3 Police Station, 1625 S. University Blvd.
