Atlanta leaders learn lessons on regionalism in Denver

A delegation of about 110 civic leaders from Atlanta on Friday wrapped up a three-day visit to Denver to study its regional approach to solving problems, including its unusual metro-wide tax surcharge for cultural programs and the redevelopment of Aurora’s Fitzsimons Army Medical Center.

Read the entire article in the Denver Business Journal…

Denver Shares Transit Action Plan with Metro Atlanta Officials

2008 Metro Atlanta LINK participants ride Denver’s light rail system, expected to grow by 122 miles by 2015.

The Mile High city’s transit system is growing by leaps and bounds, steered by a 15-member elected board of the Regional Transportation District (RTD). The RTD, created in 1969 by the Colorado General Assembly to develop a regional mass transportation system for the 2.6 million Denver metro area, is funded by a one percent sales tax.Legislation in the Georgia General Assembly to allow regions of the state to develop referendums for voters to consider a one percent sales tax for transportation improvements failed by three votes in the final minutes of the 2008 session.

The RTD operates more than 1,000 buses and 70 light rail vehicles. The light rail system currently has 35 miles of track, but RTD will build 122 more miles of light rail and commuter rail by 2015. This $6.1 billion FasTracks initiative was made possible when voters passed a 4 cent sales tax on every $10 spent in the region in 2004 to fund the rail program. Also included in the FasTracks plan are 18 miles of Bus Rapid Transit, 31 new park and ride lots with 21,000 parking spaces, enhanced bus networks and the redevelopment of Denver’s Union Station as a transit hub.

LINK participates traveled 20 miles on Denver’s light rail system to the suburban City of Englewood, where they heard from area leaders regarding the FasTracks transit program..

“The residents of our region feel great pride in the fact that their vote is helping to build these new facilities,” said Cal Marsella, RTD general manager. “They see it as a win-win for the central city and the suburbs. The trains go both ways.”

The FasTracks build-out will greatly increase transportation options for metro Denver workers, provide an alternative to congestion during peak travel times and will rank metro Denver as one of the top five regions in the country in terms of miles of fixed rail.

What is your opinion the future need for new rail services in metro Atlanta and how should it be financed?

Lessons from Denver, part 2: Dealing with Drought and Special Sales Tax Success

Theater in Denver Originally uploaded by Atlanta Region

Atlanta leaders are impressed by metro Denver’s ability to manage critical challenges and fund initiatives that are putting their region at the top of the heap.

Forward thinking actions include working together to overcome a severe drought and using a creative funding mechanism to boost the area’s cultural communities.

Addressing the Drought – During the first half of the decade, Colorado and the Denver region experienced a drought much like Georgia is experiencing now. While the low flows of 2002 created stresses on Colorado’s water management system, the system appeared, in general, to work well. Water managers were able to make the adjustments needed to minimize the impacts.

However, several sectors of Colorado’s economy such as agriculture and recreation and tourism, experienced major losses. Water experts and community leaders have spent considerable time since the drought discussing how to prepare for future droughts including, increasing funding for water infrastructure and management and keeping in mind the uncertainty drought brings and the need to be mindful of drought preparation at all times, not just during times of drought.

Special Sales Tax – Voters in the seven-county metro area created the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District in 1988 to collect taxes to support scientific and cultural organizations. The tax district has since funded more than 300 organizations via the 0.1 percent (1 on every $10) retail sales and use tax.

The tax money goes to organizations that “provide for the enlightenment and entertainment of the public through the production, preservation, exhibition, or advancement of art, music, theater, dance, zoology, botany, natural history or cultural history.”

Of course, there are significant differences between metro Denver and metro Atlanta, especially when it comes to water management. The biggest difference is that the Army Corps of Engineers has more control over water the region’s water supply systems.

How can metro Atlanta follow Denver’s lead in looking beyond the current drought to a new and permanent way of conserving water?

And in regards to the special tax for cultural groups and program, is that something metro Atlanta should implement?
 

Redevelopment in Denver

 

Rendering of the Colorado Bioscience Park, f.ka. the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center Originally uploaded by Atlanta Region

One of the major opportunities for this year’s LINK participants is to learn from Denver’s amazing experience with massive redevelopment projects. The Atlanta group learned about the three big ones yesterday – and we thought Atlantic Station was big!

Lowry

In 1994, the Lowry Air Force Base closed, offering Denver and Aurora, the two communities with jurisdiction over the base’s property, a chance to use the former military base to create a new neighborhood. From 1991 to 1993, the communities embarked on an intensive planning process with local residents and businesses.

The plan called for 4,500 homes, 2 million square feet of commercial space, schools and 800 acres of parks and recreational amenities. This development would blend with the surrounding neighborhoods, include a diversity of home styles and prices, be pedestrian friendly and provide easy access to parks, schools and businesses. The town center has more than 40 shops, including a full-service grocery store and is designed so that employees and residents can walk to it.

Fitzimmons

The former Fitzsimons Army Medical Center located outside of Denver in the City of Aurora is being transformed into a state-of-the-art, integrated life sciences community. The 578-acre Fitzsimons site is undergoing a $4.3-billion renovation and transformation into a square mile dedicated to becoming one of the most advanced bioscientific communities in the world.

The redevelopment effort is anchored by the 227-acre campus of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (UCHSC) and Hospital (UCH) and the affiliated 160-acre Colorado Bioscience Park Aurora. The Fitzsimons master plan calls for up to 15-million square feet of phased new construction. At build out, more than 32,000 people will be employed at Fitzsimons.

Stapleton

The redevelopment of Stapleton Airport is one of the nation’s largest and most ambitious infill projects, converting Denver’s old airport complex into 4,700 acres of homes, offices, shops, schools and parks. The master plan emphasizes environmentally sound development, walkable neighborhoods and lifelong learning.

Stapleton residents, developer Forest City Stapleton, Inc., the city and county of Denver, and Denver Public Schools (DPS) created an Educational Master Plan, which addresses traditional K-12 public, private, and charter schools; early childhood learning; adult education; vocational training; online learning; and partnerships with libraries, churches, and cultural organizations. Based on this plan, DPS plans to open two K-5 schools, four K-8 schools and two high schools to serve Stapleton.