Wheat Ridge voters soundly rejected two ballot questions that city leaders had said were vital for the future of the city.
that would have been used for infrastructure improvements and basic maintenance.
This was at odds with a private poll conducted on 600 residents earlier this year that showed 57 percent of likely voters approving the measure.
“Our infrastructure is getting older and we don’t have the appropriate revenues or resources to maintain it to the level we’d like to,” said city manager Patrick Goff in an earlier interview. “We’re $6 million behind in just preventable stuff like basic street maintenance.”
Question 2B asked voters to give the city the authority to narrow the road along 38th Avenue between Upham and Marshall Streets. Voters rejected that measure also.
The city has long envisioned creating a true downtown along the strip, replete with amenity zones, landscaping, wider pedestrian sidewalks and public art. The goal was to create a new identity for the city and draw a new generation of residents into Wheat Ridge.
Wheat Ridge spent almost $700,000 on design plans and minor changes along the corridor. The entire project’s estimated cost was pegged at $7 to $10 million.
The proposal had one side saying it would draw in new residents, money and visitors. Opponents said spending millions to rip apart and narrow 38th Avenue would be a waste of money and cause economic hardship on nearby businesses.
Wheat Ridge District 1 Councilman Jerry DiTullio previously said even if the measure failed, the .
Austin Briggs: 303-954-1729, abriggs@denverpost.com or twitter.com/abriggs
Wheat ridge ballot issues
2A: Shall the city of wheat ridge taxes be increased by up to $6.4 million annually ….. ?
Yes 41.9 percent (5,183)
No 58.3 percent (7,257
2B: Shall a street width for 38th Avenue between Upham Street and Marshall Street be established by City Council in order to implement the vision of the 38th Avenue corridor plan to revitalize the 38th Avenue corridor … ?
Yes 41.3 percent (5,137
No 58. 7 percent (7,301
