Wheat Ridge ballot question 'an investment in the future' - #lakewoodnews

For half a penny on every dollar spent in the city, Wheat Ridge will be on the road to change.

That's if 2E, the city's only ballot question in the November election is approved by voters.

The measure would increase sales tax by half a cent for the next 12 years, which city officials say would allow the city to pay for four important projects: improvements to Anderson Park, hook ramps for the Clear Creek Crossing development, a connection to the Ward Road Commuter Rail Station and reconstruction of Wadsworth Boulevard. That's five cents for every $10 spent.

"These projects are an investment in the future of Wheat Ridge," said Britta Fisher, executive director of Localworks, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Wheat Ridge, and co-chair of the Yes Wheat Ridge campaign. "These projects are also a way to protect Wheat Ridge's legacy."

If approved, the increase would begin Jan. 1 and go through Dec. 31, 2028. City officials estimate the increase would generate $3.7 million the first year and help pay for $33 million in projects during the 12 years.

The measure was born out of work done by the Drainage, Infrastructure, Roads & Trails(D.I.R.T.) task force, which is made up of two residents from each of the four city council districts. The task force's goal was to review and prioritize a list of unfunded infrastructure projects that were originally reviewed and prioritized by a 2007D.I.R.T. Task Force.

"There are times when you need to deepen what the city has to offer," Mayor Joyce Jay said. "Everybody appreciates a different aspect of this because of the scope of the four projects."

The Anderson Park improvements include renovation of the main building, 4355 Field St., and outdoor pool locker rooms, replacement of the park pavilion and two parking lots, and other upgrades. The estimated project cost is $4 million.

The Clear Creek Crossing development on the west side of I-70 and 38th Avenue and Youngfield Street has sat empty since Cabela's withdrew from the project in 2011.

From a development standpoint, one of the project's problems is access, Jay said, so building on and off hook ramps would make it easier for developers and customers to get there. The project would also remove the westbound off-ramp at 32nd Avenue and include a connecting street to 32nd Avenue. The estimated cost would be $10 million.

A light rail station will be built near Ward Road at about 51st Avenue and Taft Court, and the city wants to add sidewalks, crossings and lights for better access. The $12 million project would include reconstruction of the adjacent streets of Ridge Road, 52nd Avenue and Tabor Street, installation of a traffic signal at Ward and Ridge roads and construction of a pedestrian bridge over the rail's track.

The final project funded by 2E is reconstruction on Wadsworth Boulevard, from 35th Avenue to I-70, which is probably the most popular stretch, Fisher said.

"The measure isn't a hard sell for people after I ask them how Wadsworth has been treating them," she said.

Although the exact reconstruction is still being finalized, it's likely to include three travel lanes in each direction, 10-foot sidewalks on both sides of the street, 10-foot tree lawns on both sides of the street, center medians, 10-foot two-way cycle lanes on each side of Wadsworth, from 35th to 44th avenues, and continuous flow intersections at 38th and 44th avenues.

The Wadsworth work would cost about $7 million, a relatively low price because the city would have access to $38 million in federal and state grants, Jay said.

"If we're not able to afford our share, we'll lose that grant money," Jay said. "We'd go to the back of the waiting line, and it could be years before our turn is up again."

The city has been holding events to spread the word about the need for the funding to keep the city competitive. City council unanimously approved the question, which is a rare occurrence, Jay said. It has also been endorsed by the West Chamber.

"These are very well thought-out projects, especially the transportation ones," said Pam Bales, president and CEO of The West Chamber. "When you look at the wonder the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District can do with their one-cent sales tax, it's exciting to see what Wheat Ridge will be able to accomplish with their half-cent increase."

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Wheat-Ridge-ballot-question-an-investment-in-the-future,236816