April 16, 2015 VOLU M E 9 1 | I S SUE 35
LakewoodSentinel.com A publication of
J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Council agrees to Artspace contract By Clarke Reader
creader@colorado communitymedia.com
The Action Center’s new Program Services building is in the process of getting stocked and ready for its grand opening on April 25. The new building features a new grocery store, household items and clothing shop. It will also be home to a new collective impact approach to helping the center’s clients. Photo by Clarke Reader
Action Center poised for change New building adjacent to former office brings together services By Clarke Reader
creader@colorado communitymedia.com The Action Center is on the precipice of a major change in how it helps the thousands of peoples who pass through its doors. Almost a year to the day after breaking ground on its new Program Services Building, the organization will open its doors to let the community see the new ways clients will be helped at the Action Center. The center describes its mission as “to provide an immediate response to basic human needs and promote pathways to self-sufficiency for Jefferson County residents and the homeless.” “Everyone comes to us for different reasons, but when they’re here, they’re going to see someone about their situation,” said Mag Strittmatter, executive director of the center. “We have so many volunteers and case managers, and all those services are upstairs in our new building.” The $4.2 million project included the purchase and renovation of the Cottonwood office complex, which is next to the center’s current location. Construction work was done by Pinkard Construction. The two-story building is also home to the Action Center’s new grocery store, household items and clothing shops. The grocery store set-up, which features brand-new refrigerated and frozen
ACTION CENTER OPENING WHAT: Program Services Building opening event WHERE: 8745 W. 14th Ave., Lakewood WHEN: Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
storage units, offers clients health-focused meal options, based on the USDA’s “Choose My Plate” program. Volunteer shoppers will be on hand to help clients navigate the store, and to provide any information that might be required about food options. The Action Center studied other food pantries for tips on the best way to run the shop, Strittmatter added. “We want our clients to feel like they’re shopping at just anywhere else,” she said. There is an area for household items that features everything from kitchen utensils to towels — all things that the center would rather provide for clients with limited paychecks. Some of the most exciting features of the building are the least flashy. The second floor is mostly devoted to office space. But in those offices is where the most impactful work will be done. There will be a new focus on providing a collective impact in the Program Services Building, with space for clients to work with Action Center staff, along with representatives from other organizations. Strittmatter said this is a better use of both community resources and everyone’s time. “We’re looking at an appointment-
based, drop-in hybrid approach here,” she said. “We want our clients to think of how they use their time.” Another exciting feature is the on-site spaces that will be shared with other groups, from Red Rocks Community College and Jefferson County Human Services to the Jefferson Center for Mental Health, which will have an assigned person on hand during open hours. All these changes — both cosmetic and internal — wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of volunteers, and the center has been working hard to get the new volunteers trained and up to speed. “There are all kinds of new volunteer opportunities to bring people in, whether they want to work in the back on the food or clothing bank or work as a client advocate,” said Lorraine Alcott, volunteer coordinator, during the center’s fall volunteer fair. “We also have little odds and ends projects and things people can do from home to contribute.” New technology is being implemented in the building to make the best use of volunteers’ and clients’ time. “We have a computer system designed especially for us to help the client flow be as efficient as it can,” Stirttmatter said. “We’re trying to teach the community how to utilize everything in the best way possible.” Penning said with the baby boomer generation getting closer to retiring, the Action Center is seeing an increased number of recent retirees who want to stay active coming by to volunteer. For more information, or to volunteer, visit www.theactioncenterco.org.
Two important decisions were made during the regular city council meeting of April 13. Council unanimously approved to sign a letter of agreement with Artspace to begin the process of bringing affordable live-work space for artists to the city. In a 7-4 vote (Ward 1 councilwoman Ramey Johnson, Ward 3 councilman Pete Roybal, and Ward 4 councilmen Adam Paul and David Wiechman were the “no” votes) council decided to increase the monthly stormwater utility cost to $3.70, incorporate an consumer price index to increase or decrease the cost annually to keep up with inflation, and to ensure periodic council reviews of price changes.
Artspace
Bringing an Artspace project to the city has been in the works for several years, and the process has included a feasibility study, conducting surveys of the community (both artistic and non) and working with groups like the 40 West Arts District and Metro West Housing Solutions. Entering into this contract with Artspace means working with the group on three predevelopment phases: site selection and analysis for two locations (near Lamar Station Crossing and city owned property at 1290 Harlan); design and financial analysis; and financing and fundraising. The city’s cost for the agreement is $600,000, to be taken from the Economic Development Fund. Of the 26 people who spoke during public comment, 18 were in favor, highlighting the economic benefits this kind of arts-focus would bring to Lakewood. “Artspace has a track record of catalyzing the economy in every city they come to,” said local artist Johanna Parker. “Bringing Artspace here also benefits creative groups and businesses in the district and nurtures an artistic environment by keeping living affordable.” The residents opposed to the measure made it clear they are not against the arts, but lodged two complaints: The agreement is subsiding the project from tax payer funds, and that the city is in questionable legal territory, since the Colorado constitution says municipalities can’t make grants to corporations or companies. In response to the question about using tax payer funds for this agreement, Council continues on Page 22
State Senate debates homebuilder liability bills Associated Press Two bills to make it harder to sue Colorado homebuilders advanced in the Republican-controlled state Senate last week. Senators approved two bills related to homebuilder product liability. One would give homeowners less time to sue a builder for defective construction. The other revises procedures for construction lawsuit in
multifamily developments. Both proposals face almost certain rejection in the Democratic House, though. The Legislature has tried and failed for years to craft new builder liability standards that reduce insurance costs for builders without making it too hard for homeowners with faulty homes to collect damages. Supporters of this year’s bills say the
measures would boost construction and address Colorado’s shortage of affordable housing. “This is an incremental step,” said Sen. Mark Scheffel, R-Parker and one of the sponsors. But prospects for both bills are dim in the Democratic House, where leaders generally oppose the measures. Opponents say they are too favorable to builders and developers
and would strip consumer protections. Summarizing the position of most Democrats, Denver Sen. Irene Aguilar, said the condo measure would “leave homeowners with absolutely no recourse if their biggest investment had defects.” The timeline bill, Senate Bill 91, heads to the House. The condo measure, Senate Bill 177, awaits one more vote before heading over.