Plans for $550 million in infrastructure projects are now in the hands of Denver voters after City Council members gave their approval Monday.
The proposed bond and tax increase would go to dozens of projects, including replacing irrigation systems, rebuilding streets and overhauling Boettcher Concert Hall.
The voters will consider nine questions: One measure seeking to increase property taxes to raise $27 million each year for future maintenance, and eight items to pay for infrastructure and facility projects through general obligation bonds.
The package will be on the Nov. 6 ballot.
Seven of the nine questions received unanimous approval, but Councilwoman Jeanne Faatz voted against the mill levy increase and against a question to renovate Boettcher and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for $70 million.
Faatz said she voted against those two questions because they would increase taxes.
Councilman Paul Lopez voted in favor of each question, though he said he did so with a “sense of reluctance.”
He said west Denver was not well-represented in projects compared to downtown.
“It is hard to get excited about streetscaping on 14th Street when the streetscaping on Morrison Road is really cracks and weeds,” he said.
One of his constituents, Janice Mares, told the council to “work smarter with our money before you ask for more.”
But Councilman Doug Linkhart called the plan a “a wise investment.
“It is wise because it breaks a mold,” he said.
For more than a year, city officials and a task force of business and community leaders worked to select projects for the city. And Linkhart said the mill levy increase the group has recommended will keep the city from falling behind on maintenance in the future.
“Where we are breaking the mold is by paying as we go,” he said.
More than 20 people came to the meeting to criticize or compliment the plan, including several people who complained that a pedestrian bridge over Interstate 25 at Colorado Boulevard did not make the list of projects.
Special Assistant to Mayor John Hickenlooper Diane Barrett told the council the mayor “has committed himself” to finding alternative funds for the bridge.
Staff writer George Merritt can be reached at 303-954-1657 or gmerritt@denverpost.com.
