Hickenlooper heralds 'urban renaissance'

Says bond issue vital to city's effort to move forward

Stuart Steers, Rocky Mountain News

Published July 17, 2007 at midnight

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Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper signaled Monday that he will push hard for a proposed multimillion-dollar bond issue in November, describing it as vital to "the well-being of this great city."

He said the half-billion-plus proposal, which would fund dozens of projects, including housing for the homeless and renovating Boettcher Concert Hall, will be a key part of Denver's continued progress.

He predicted it will pass.

"When this request is approved by City Council and enacted by Denver voters, probably with some changes, our property taxes will remain among the lowest in the metropolitan region," said Hickenlooper.

Hickenlooper spoke at the Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre in the Denver Performing Arts Complex as he and more than a dozen other elected officials were sworn in to new terms.

The mayor listed several accomplishments in his first term, including a large decline in crime, a 36 percent drop in the number of chronically homeless and a huge increase in recycling.

And he pointed to the remarkable number of civic projects that have gone up in little more than a decade - such as the airport and the Denver Art Museum addition - and said "our achievements rank at the top of urban undertakings in this nation."

But Hickenlooper was clearly focused on winning voter approval of the bond initiative in the fall.

"People have to believe in their city, they have to feel a sense of ownership in their city," Hickenlooper said in an interview. "A big part of what's going to allow this new urban renaissance to keep going forward is people's willingness to invest."

In his speech, the mayor set the bond proposal in a larger context, arguing that cities such as Denver are finding solutions to problems that are being ignored in Washington.

"Our federal government is too often locked in a paralysis of partisan politics," said Hickenlooper. "Hope, meanwhile, is finding a better home and habitat in local settings. Cities offer many of the most spirit-raising examples of clear-eyed analysis of problems and active pursuit of solutions."

Hickenlooper put special emphasis on the reform program under way in the Denver Public Schools and the program to help parents pay for preschool through a 0.12 percent increase in the city sales tax.

"Hundreds of people have contributed to what is taking shape as the most concerted effort on behalf of our children in the history of this city," Hickenlooper said.

Council lineup

DISTRICT 1

• Rick Garcia: A former Regional Transportation District commissioner, he has focused on economic revitalization, mass transit and business development.

DISTRICT 2

• Jeanne Faatz: The council's lone Republican is a fiscal conservative and an advocate for private property rights and public safety. She was a state representative from 1979-1998.

*DISTRICT 3

• Paul Lopez: At 28, he is the youngest council member. A former union organizer, he pledges to make "economic justice" a priority.

DISTRICT 4

• Peggy Lehmann: An advocate for neighborhoods, parks, libraries and cultural facilities, she was a former aide to two council members.

DISTRICT 5

• Marcia Johnson: The redevelopment of Colfax Avenue and protection of the city's parkways are among her priorities. She was a Denver election commissioner and school board member.

DISTRICT 6

• Charlie Brown: He often challenges his more liberal colleagues and has supported scrape-offs and other contentious redevelopment efforts. He was a public relations executive and lobbyist.

*DISTRICT 7

• Chris Nevitt: The self-described "union progressive" was director of a think tank that pushed developers to offer better paying jobs on city-backed projects.

*DISTRICT 8

• Carla Madison: A physical therapist, she is a longtime neighborhood activist whose focus has been on zoning issues.

DISTRICT 9

• Judy Montero: Previously a council aide, she is an advocate for youth and neighborhood involvement in redevelopment projects.

DISTRICT 10

• Jeanne Robb: The go-to person on land-use issues, she supports historic preservation efforts, pedestrian connections and environmental initiatives. She taught high school in Chicago and New York.

DISTRICT 11

• Michael Hancock: He is a champion for the poor, advocating for equity in public services and economic development citywide.

AT-LARGE

• Carol Boigon: Children, families and economic development are among her priorities. She is past executive director of the Mayor's Office for Education and Children.

AT-LARGE

• Doug Linkhart: He supports alternative programs to jail and helped resurrect the city's Drug Court. He was a state senator from 1995-2003.

INAUGURATED MONDAY:

AUDITOR

• Dennis Gallagher: The city's financial watchdog, he has looked into such matters as falsified time cards and compliance of Denver's prevailing wage law.

CLERK AND RECORDER

• Stephanie O'Malley: The city's first elected clerk and recorder, she faces the monumental task of restoring voter confidence after a problem-plagued election in November 2006.*New Members

Inauguration bash

• When: 6:30-9:30 p.m.

• Cost: Free

• Where: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St. Shuttles beginning at 6 p.m. at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center. Food will be provided, along with entertainment.

Food and drink: Provided by the Broadmoor, Sage Restaurant Group, Rock Bottom Brewing, National Distributing, Elway's, KM Concessions, Broker Restaurant, Cork House, Panzano and Café Star

Cost: Free. Free shuttles are available beginning at 6 p.m. between the National Jewish Medical and Research Center and the Denver Botanic Gardens. Free parking is available in the National Jewish Medical and Research Center's west parking lot, 1400 Jackson St.

steerss@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2282

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