Westsider Westsider 9-27-2013
North Jeffco
North Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 12, Issue 38
Community glimpses future for downtown
See our coverage inside this issue!
POSTAL PATRON
September 27,2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourwestminsternews.com
PRSRT - STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID BROOMFIELD CO PERMIT #101 EDDM
ALL PART OF THE ROUTINE
Westminster Mall area targeted for redevelopment By Ashley Reimers
areimers@ourcoloradonews.com Hoping to gain some input from the community, the City of Westminster hosted two open houses displaying the draft plans for the new downtown on the site of the former Westminster Mall. The events, one at The Mac on Sept. 18 and the other at the City Recreation Center the following evening, gave residents the opportunity to put their two cents in on what they thought of the plans. “I think it’s nice to have the chance to get to see the plan and also get to make comments on the plan,” said Westminster resident Mary Rockling. “So far I like the plan, and I’m looking forward to seeing buildings actually start to fill up the vacant space.” The plans, which include multi-story office and residential buildings, unique public space and vibrant shopping areas, were initially revealed to city council and the community on Aug. 26. The city is working closely with urban planning firm Torti Gallas and Partners to design the 105-acre space at U.S. 36 and Sheridan Boulevard, and full build-out will take 20 to 30 years. Before beginning the planning process, the city hosted an open house last year to gain input and knowledge on what the community wants to see out of their downtown. “We took all the suggestions and comments from the first open house as well as the comments and vision of city council and staff to come up with the design,” said city planning manager Mac Cummins. “We think we have a win-win-win here. The plan is a combination of public outreach and discussion with city council and what we came up with is a cultural gathering place.” City Manager Brent McFall also said the plans line up with the view of the community. “This is a bold plan that lines up with the vision for a new downtown that our community has been calling for,” he said. “At the end of this process, we will have a development opportunity that is unique not just in Colorado but in the country.” Cummins said key components of the development include land uses, public parks and plazas, multi-modal circulation and access to transit, urban design, development flexibility and taking advantage of the views from the Front Range and the views in the actual downtown area. He said this kind of project is a city planner’s dream. “This is probably the most exciting thing anyone in government ever gets the chance to do,” he said. “It’s community building at a fundamental level. And to be able to help build a community, there is nothing more exciting.” For residents who couldn’t make the open houses, an online version was also available on WestyConnect, www.westyconnect.us, Sept. 18-25. Following the public outreach, city staff will take the draft plans to the planning commission in mid-October, followed by action from city council in late October. For more information or to view the draft plans, visit www.westminstercenter.us.
Printed on recycled newsprint. Please recycle this copy.
Standley Lake senior Mikaela Fatzinger does a routine for the floor event Sept. 18 during a meet against Columbine and Evergreen at Standley Lake High School. See full story on Page 21. Photos by Kate Ferraro
Officials back school funding question Amendment 66 would fund School Finance Act By Vic Vela
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com Prominent Jefferson County officials tried to convince attendees at a Sept. 21 Golden town hall meeting to support a November ballot question that seeks $950 million in new taxes to fund an overhaul to the state’s school finance system. Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Cindy Stevenson fielded questions about the ballot measure from a small audience, along with state Rep. Sue Schafer, D-Wheat Ridge, and state Sen. Jeanne Nicholson, D-Black Hawk, whose legislative district includes Jefferson County. The three women are backers of Amendment 66, a measure that will expand school programs and change how Colorado schools are funded. “This is one of the most important ballot measures we’ve had in a long time,” said Schafer, who also told the audience that passage of Amendment 66 is vital because Colorado public schools have lost “about $1 billion in funding over the last four years.” Amendment 66 would fund the changes to the School Finance Act that were put in place through Senate Bill 213 earlier this year. The measure would create full-day kindergarten for all Colorado students and free preschool for at-risk students. It also would provide more resources for English language learners, as well as for students who are in “gifted and talented” programs. The measure would pump more money into public schools, while creating a more equitable system by which school districts are funded, supporters say. Stevenson said Jeffco schools would get at least $71 million in new funding, if Amendment 66 passes. That would enable the district to return to 2010 funding levels, she said. Stevenson said that Jeffco voters should
State Rep. Sue Schafer, D-Wheat Ridge, listens as State Sen. Jeanne Nicholson, D-Black Hawk, speaks in support of Amendment 66 at a Golden town hall meeting on Sept. 21. Photo by Vic Vela not view last year’s passage of a mill levy increase as having solved the district’s budget issues. The revenue raised by initiatives 3A and 3B allowed the district to prevent significant budget cuts, but its funding still falls about $50 million short of levels from a few years ago, she said. Stevenson also said that Colorado’s tax burden would remain in the bottom half among other states in the country, even if the measure passes. And the superintendent said that it’s important for Jeffco teachers to get pay raises, something that hasn’t happened in five years. “I really feel like we have a priority as a community to say that our teacher salaries are important because we want them in our community,” Stevenson said.
A permanent tax increase
Senate Bill 213 was one of the most con-
tentious bills debated during this year’s legislative session, and it’s one that failed to garner a single Republican vote in the Democrat-controlled General Assembly. The bill was later signed into law by Gov. John Hickenlooper. Opponents say that the Amendment 66 funding measure is a nearly-$1 billion tax hike that seeks to throw money at schools, but does not put in place any true school reforms. If passed, Amendment 66 would result in a permanent income tax increase, without a sunset provision. Stevenson acknowledges that Jeffco taxpayers will pay about $114-124 million in taxes, but only between 52 and 83 percent of those dollars will actually find their way to Jeffco schools, she said. Officials continues on Page 17