DENVER — The Denver City Council on Monday unanimously voted to approve the $950 million Vibrant Denver bond proposal, sending it to voters in November.
Mayor Mike Johnston said the $950 million bond will invest in the city's future and provide an economic boost without raising taxes. The city's finance director said it could cost taxpayers nearly $2 billion to repay the bond.
- Denver7 took a look at the projects listed in the proposal and broke down the most expensive ones in the story below:
Denver
These are the most expensive projects in the $950M Vibrant Denver bond proposal
Small amendments were made to the proposal during Monday's city council meeting. Ultimately, the council voted 13-0 to allow the proposal onto the November ballot.
Earlier this month, Denver7 reported how some council members were upset that a preliminary list didn’t include cost estimates. Others were disappointed that proposed projects in their districts were left off the list.
The mayor’s team met with council members to hear their concerns and released a revised project list. The changes bumped the proposal cost to nearly one billion dollars.
In a statement, Mayor Johnston praised the city council for its decision, saying the city is "ready to invest in what matters."
"A stronger, safer, more connected Denver starts in our neighborhoods.
With City Council’s final stamp of approval on the Vibrant Denver Bond, we’re ready to invest in what matters: safer streets, modern libraries, rec centers, our beautiful parks and an upgraded animal shelter, all without raising taxes.
Thank you to City Council for your leadership, and to every Denverite who spoke up for your family, your neighbors and our future. Together, we are building a more vibrant Denver for everyone."
Denver City Council Member Darrell B. Watson, a strong supporter of the bond, also issued a statement, saying the bond will "deliver significant improvements citywide and in District 9."
"This is a nuts-and-bolts bond to fix aging and dangerous infrastructure. If approved by voters, it will deliver significant improvements citywide and in District 9, including major projects in Globeville and a long-overdue renovation of the Blair Caldwell African American Research Library that honors the legacy of Five Points. I'm proud to work with Mayor Johnston and my fellow Council Members in advancing this bond and immediately strengthening our city in both the short and long term."
Johnston and members of the Denver City Council will celebrate the proposal's passage during an 8:30 a.m. press conference on Tuesday.
