The Hill Boulder Merchants Association Input to City Council re: Recommendations by CITR Working Gro
Posted on behalf of The Hill Boulder Merchants Association.
July 7, 2017
The Executive Board Members as listed below, met on July 7, 2017 to review the recommendations put forth by the CITR Working Group regarding the potential extension of 0.3 percent Capital Improvements Tax for the 2017 Ballot. We would like to thank Council for its ongoing support of The Hill and belief in restoring this cultural gem as the destination for our neighbors at CU and the surrounding neighborhoods. We have seen great improvement in safety and appearance in the district with the completion of the lighting and irrigation project and are looking forward to the completion of the event street this fall which the 2A tax funded for a total $2,750,000 for all of these projects. However, of the money spent, $1.5 million was spent solely on the neighborhood lighting requested by CU and did not include the commercial district lighting.
We are at a critical stage in the momentum of rebuilding the image of The Hill and creating a district that is cleaner and safer and supports our mutual goal. With the City’s approved investment in the hotel and public parking facility, the need for continued support is critical. We believe that the $1.1 million additional investment, should the voters of Boulder approve in November, will continue the momentum that our unique district has begun.
Hill Alley Connector project ($839,063) – We believe with the investment of $20 million for the hotel and parking garage, it is critical that the connector alley from The Hill to this project be upgraded with proper lighting and the alley improved aesthetically as this will be the gateway to The Hill out of the hotels Pleasant street entrance. Completing this project will greatly improve safety and will be the direct link from the hotel to The Hill.
Hill Lighting Replacement project ($222,250, currently on the CITR’s seven-year list)-This project is viewed as a must. The current lights in the district are now so old that in order to maintain these, all parts must be custom made. If this project does not make the proposed list by CITR, there is a potential that repairs over the five or seven year span will cost more than replacement. Replacing the lights will also create a coordinated street scape by matching the lights that were replaced in the neighborhood.
In viewing the list proposed by CITR, we are concerned the list does not cover a broad enough geographic region and supports the arts and parks heavily while little attention was given to the commercial districts. We believe the request is a financially sound investment for this community asset that serves the community as a whole, and continues the support The Hill needs in its ongoing progress to becoming more economically viable.
Thank you for your consideration.
Dakota Soifer, Chair
Cheryl Liguori, Vice-Chair
Karen Gall, Treasurer
Jake Hiersteiner, Secretary