It’s called “Colorado’s birthday bridge,” which Governor Polis has been promoting in conjunction with celebrating Colorado’s 150th birthday. It would be a winding pedestrian bridge “featuring artwork throughout the pedestrian experience, highlighting the “diverse stories and values of Colorado,” according to the Denver Gazette.
The bridge would be between the west side of the state Capitol, going over Lincoln Street to Lincoln Memorial Park. The project would be funded from a combination of public and private funds.
However, the bridge has run into a bit of a “buzz saw.” Both the projected cost and “why a bridge” have gained momentum among the public, Democratic legislatures and friends of the Governor. The estimated cost was quoted at $18 million-$20 million. However, Channel 9 obtained documents which show “the cost to be 40%-60% more than the state has been saying,” according to Kyle Clark.
Secondly, a variety of people are questioning the need for a pedestrian bridge, while others — such as John Deffenbaugh, President and CEO of Historic Denver — argue that the bridge does not fit with the historic character of Denver’s Civic Center area. To show their position on the bridge, Historic Denver is circulating a petition against the bridge project.
I would suggest the Governor drop the bridge idea and come up with a better idea to provide a legacy to the 150th anniversary of our state.
U.S. Supreme Court reduces the power of lower U.S. Courts
In a landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has boosted its power and sway at the expense
of lower federal courts. It was also a huge boost to President Trump and his agenda.
The high court ruled that lower court decisions do not have the authority to grant nationwide injunctions. They would only apply to the affected parties in the lawsuit.
This decision is a major victory for the Trump Administration, given all the lower court decisions that went against the President’s actions. The cases involved in this latest high court decision will now be returned to the lower courts, where judges will be forced to decide how to make their orders comply with the high court.
While this decision gives more power and say by the Trump Administration, I have believed all along that lower court decisions should not have a nationwide effect. That was never the intent of the Constitution.
Also, this decision will slow down the outcome of the lower court decisions being final. With the Supreme Court’s conservative side in control, the final outcome regarding any decisions to be nationwide will likely be with the conservatives.
CU hopes to build housing in Louisville for its employees
The University of Colorado has met with the Louisville City Council to lay out its plans
to build housing in the city for faculty, staff and graduate students starting in 2027 or 2028.
Associate Vice Chancellor Lori Call indicated that CU does not plan “to have 18-year-olds living at the site. This is not going to be a residence hall” for undergraduate students.
Rather, the typical resident is likely to be “younger professionals who works at the university or graduate students.”
The university has already purchased land for the development, acquiring the former Regal Cinebarre Theater located near the interchange of U.S. 36 and McCaslin Boulevard. The 8.85-acre site was purchased at a cost of $10 million.
University officials said “Housing is becoming a challenge. It isn’t a new phenomenon, but it is increasing at CU.” The site lends itself to housing with bus service right at their doorstep, with the RTD bus stop close by.
It seems unusual for a large university to develop housing in an adjoining community. What it implies, but was not said by university officials, is that it is too expensive to develop housing in Boulder.
Regardless of where it is located, it is a smart and necessary plan to assist their employees in achieving lower housing costs. More institutions including school districts need to give serious thought to building housing for their employees. Would a bond issue work where the rent pays the principal and interest? Just a thought.
New transit hub to be located in Thornton along I-25
Good news! The Colorado Department of Transportation is constructing an additional transit hub along the I-25 corridor. CDOT, Adams County, Thornton and Broomfield officials officially broke ground on the facility, which will be at the I-25 and Highway 7 interchange.
Officials pointed out that the new hub will give people in northern Colorado additional transit options. This will be the fourth of its kind to make transit, including Bustang, more accessible. Colorado Transportation Commissioner Karen Stuart (who represents our area) stated “Our current mobility hubs, the one we are breaking ground on today, and the ones we’re going to construct in the next several years, will play a critical role in shaping our transportation future.”
Initially, the hub will accommodate 152 vehicle parking with the ability to double its size to 304 vehicles.
Other additions at the Thornton hub will include a pedestrian bridge over I-25, bus shelters, new traffic signals on the I-25 and Highway 7 ramps, additional sidewalks and a permanent water quality pond. With more and more growth to the north, such facilities are needed to help provide convenience and cope with increasing traffic.
Westminster Grange #184: How much do you know about it?
I find that not everyone knows about the Westminster Grange #184. In fact, I have a growing concern about people’s general awareness of Westminster’s history. This includes Westminster City employees, where there has been a noticeable turnover in the last ten years.
So, let me share information about the Grange, thanks to the information Gary Shea has in his files.
For over 115 years, the history of Westminster is synonymous with the Westminster Grange. In 1910, members of the community decided to form a grange and officers were elected. It related to the agricultural nature of Westminster in those days.
Charter officers included Mr. Newton Bowles and Mrs. Maude Bowles, members of the pioneer family to the Westminster area and who built what is today called “The Bowles House,” managed by the Westminster Historical Society and located on the south side of 72nd Avenue close to the railroad tracks.
Mrs. J.C. DeSpain of the pioneer family was the first Ceres of the organization. Also, Mrs. E.M. Williams, whose son Merton was the only man to live continuously in Westminster since 1903.
The new Grange was first a dance pavilion platform that was later the site of the Westminster City Hall on the south side of 73rd Avenue west of today’s Fire Station No. 1.
Only two years after the grange had been formed, they purchased two lots at 3935 W. 73rd Avenue (north side of the street) for the grange hall at a cost of $300. The original building was 30 feet by 70 feet and was built at a cost of $1,200.
Some people have the impression that the City of Westminster owns the building. However, it is privately owned by Westminster Grange #184.
Over the years, the grange was the center of activity and community life. For many years, it was the only public building of any size where all civic organizational and organized social events like dances and city council meetings were held. The grange building was the sole voting precinct polling place for many years until Westminster grew. The building has been used as a church. Almost every type of public activity has been held at the Grange.
I can recall when the Progressive Homeowners Association would hold their Saturday morning meetings there and invite speakers from the city to address them. Members of the general public can rent the building social events, craft sales, speaker events and more.
It’s an important part of Westminster’s history, but at the same time does not get the financial support that it deserves to help maintain the facility. I’ll have more about the Grange in a future column.
Bill Christopher is a former Westminster city manager and RTD board member. His opinions are not necessarily those of Colorado Community Media. You can contact him at bcjayhawk68@gmail.com.