Denver Mayor Michael Hancock talks about his plans for coming years at a luncheon hosted by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday at the DCPA’s Seawell Grand Ballroom.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock , and on Tuesday he asked business leaders attending the Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce luncheon to help him out as he argues for the city to avoid “missing its calling for the time.”
The city ballot will ask voters to approve several measures that are part of major aspects of Hancock’s second-term agenda — especially tourist tax-extensions to help pay for the National Western Center projects and convention center upgrades, a proposed sales tax to aid students with college costs and the city’s deal with Adams County to allow commercial development on airport property.
Those are in addition to forthcoming plans to tackle affordable housing and the city’s mobility challenges, including crumbling roads, that could cost big money.
The city’s booming economy and status as a sought-after city for transplants from out of state give it a unique opportunity, Mayor Hancock argued at the chamber’s “State of the City” luncheon, to address those issues in a big way. He echoed some of the sweeping narrative .
“Nothing scares me more than this great city missing its calling for the time,” he said. “And I truly believe that today we are living in one of the greatest transformational moments of our time. It’s no different from the mid-1800s, when they decided to build the railroad tracks to connect to the Continental Railroad. It’s no less transformational than in the 1920s, when they decided to build Stapleton International Airport.”
He continued: “It’s no less transformational than the 1990s, when Federico Peña and City Council decided it’s time to build a new international airport and convention center. It’s no less transformational than when we decided to put all our sports complexes in the same area at the turn of the century, and to leverage our growing downtown. It’s no less transformational than in 2004, when this region came together and said, ‘Let’s do FasTracks.’
“Today, we’re all reaping the benefits of those visionary and creative leaders who did not say ‘No, not now,’ but simply said: ‘Now is the time.’ “
Attendees applauded heartily after Hancock ended his address by asking for their help in building support for plans. In November, after campaigns in favor of the ballot measures Hancock is backing that may sound some of the same notes, we’ll find out if voters buy into his vision, too.
