End-of-Summer Council Discussions and Decisions

In its last summer business meeting, council authorized a downtown development task force (to explore a successor to the downtown urban renewal project), a contract for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge Bike Race (just in time), and utility undergrounding (on Ford Street and on city property near the Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center). Engaged community members were on hand to receive a proclamation in support of the Golden Gallop 5.280 mile running race, walk and stroll, a fundraiser for the Golden Schools Foundation--to begin under the arch on Sunday October 7 at 8:00 a.m.  The website to sign up to participate, sponsor, or help is GoldenGallop.com.

Council also accepted with thanks the report of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Golden's Economic Future, acknowledging the importance of the panel's recommendations on dealing with an anticipated gap between Golden's projected revenues and the estimated cost of providing the services described in Golden's vision and planning documents, The report provides key background and ideas for a community conversation on both the income and expenditure sides of the city budget. One highlighted fact is that these figures may begin to diverge as soon as 2015. The excellent report is a result of hard work and creative thinking by Chair Marv Kay, Vice-Chairs Jacob Smith and Meg Van Ness, Jean Garrabrant, Lisa Knipp, Pat Madison, Bill McKee, Reilly Sanborn, John Simpson, Cynthia Merrill Tamny, and Henry Tiberi, staffed by Finance Director Jeff Hansen.

During the following study session, council received an update on options for maintenance and improvements of Ford street from 10th to 14th streets. Ford street is scheduled for repaving this year. If this maintenance is delayed, the cost may more than triple -- from $90,000 for the milling and repavement possible now to $300,00 for complete reconstruction. In the East Downtown planning process, however, the community has been discussing future options for street reconfiguration to make this area more accessible, safe, and inviting to pedestrians and cyclists while maintaining vehicular traffic flow. As an interim measure, council gave staff direction to repave the existing street, using striping to reduce the present five lanes to three. Modeling done by the public works department indicates that the lane reduction will not have a significant effect on traffic flow. Yet the re-striping allows for safer bike lanes, better crossing areas, and wider sidewalks.  Thus, re-paving the entire street but changing the striping provides a cost-effective way to evaluate the desirability of more permanent changes in this part of downtown. The work may be completed before the snow flies.

A final discussion looked back at the history of the Washington Avenue streetscape and introduced concepts for future changes. It is evident that Golden's early 90s investment in a revitalized downtown public space has paid off.  In place of empty storefronts, our downtown now has businesses that are so successful that owners are interested in expanding into sidewalks, streetscape features, and parking spaces. Further conversation on this topic will unfold in the coming months and years.

The next council meeting is September 13. Agenda items include a presentation by CDOT on regional transportation issues and a briefing on various CSM easements and land agreements.