Content sent to Denver City Council Members, Mayor Johnston, Adam Phipps (Exec Dir DOTI)
At the WDCA Board meeting held via Zoom on September 19, 2023 we passed a motion to support (favor) Council delaying the implementation of the sidewalk fees so that further deeper review may be made.
Some residents feel these fees, even though voter approved, will lead to more concerns about housing affordability, and that neighborhoods with existing sidewalks that are in good shape will not benefit from these fees for many years.
Many residents also have further concerns with “pay for services” that Denver seems to be leading into which again will impact affordability of housing for residents of Denver and; if this is the direction, how this will impact overall budgets by the city – who gains, who loses?
I voted against it first of all. I am 84 and walk our neighborhood with my little dog eery day doing the complete circle of the perimeter. I am totally opposed to changing anything in the way of sidewalks…except perhaps ones that have dangerous rises in them caused by the roots of old, trees. It simply makes no sense. We are one of the rare, very wide streeted places left in the city with glorious trees for shade and wide streets where I walk believe it or not for safety. I find my balance is better in the street. Add to this the cost of these unnecessary widened sidewalks…diminishing the safety of our present very wide streets where kids are able to actually play, ride bikes, visit with neighbors. I can’t imagine even one good reason to change who we have. I would gladly walk up to every house in the neighbor with a petition requesting NO CHANGES. My house borders on Alameda and many years ago my then neighbor and we put up a wall to control noise which is fabulous. One council woman said we couldn’t build a high wall because no one in the city could. What BS…all the country club area has huge walls. Everything isn’t equal for sure. Beside all this what a terrible time to ask people to put out money for widening walks when they often don’t have money for food or child care. Finally people in this area are’t particularly good at shoveling our present walks. wonder what would happen if we have big snows.
Rhoda
Unfortunately, the wording in the voter approved sidewalk fees was a bit misleading and gained approval. City Council voted on Oct 1 to delay the implementation for 6 months so they can review the fee structures more adequately. If you know folks who want to get on next ballot to recall the fees, suggest that be done to undo this sidewalk fee issue.
Jane