Downtown Denver group anxious about delay of $1.7M contract but optimistic funding will get approved

Anxiety is mounting over Denver councilmembers' decision to delay a $1.7 million contract for a group tasked with helping to revitalize the city's downtown, but the association remains optimistic it will get the money.

The Downtown Denver Partnership said it hopes to get approval for the funding so it could keep the momentum of its efforts going for the heart of the city, which is beset by construction woes, office vacancies and the perception of crime and open-air drug use.

The contract, which uses money from the American Rescue Plan Act, is designed to support pieces of the 15-block retail space as it slowly reopens following a $172.5 million construction project.

Kourtney Garret, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership, said chief of those aims is to help ensure a full and successful reopening of the mall after the project's completion.

Mayor Mike Johnston’s administration has aggressively pushed to make downtown a “vibrant” city center, and he has shown a willingness to pour money into the revitalization .

The funding request for the $1.7 million in ARPA dollars outlines three solutions for improving the mall: a grant program for businesses to expand their patios or improve their facades, filling in vacant spaces and organizing block "activations."

Denver has doled out approximately $4 million in ARPA funding toward revitalizing downtown, according to the city’s dashboard.

Garrett said the $1.7 million ARPA money will be used to help Denver residents “rediscover” existing businesses and increase awareness of newer ones. Many may have been neglected throughout the construction and the COVID-19 recovery period.

“We know there are a lot of really big moves happening in Denver right now," Garrett said.

"We’re optimistic about September 9 and are anxiously waiting,” she said of the mall's reopening. “There are always questions around utilization of ARPA funds, since they do have a tight definition, but overall, the responses (from councilmembers) have been positive and supportive.”

Unhappy with the delay is Councilmember Chris Hinds, whose district includes the 16th Street Mall. The council is up against the legislative “shot clock,” which frustrates him.

“I'm not excited about a delay mostly because these funds are meant to assist our businesses, not sit in committee,” he said. “I would prefer members just vote 'no' on the contract if they have issues, rather than delay.”

The “shot clock” is a mechanism built into the legislative processes that automatically approves a contract or resolution within 30 days, regardless of whether the council has discussed it or amended it.

It is a political process designed to maximize the executive branch's power, Hinds said.

“The advantage of voting before the shot clock expires is that's the only way to kill a resolution or bill,” he said. “If we didn't vote on a bunch of items — and just let them become law through the shot clock — we'd be skipping one of council's core roles.”

Missing that opportunity to actually decide may cause some in the public to question why the council exists at all, Hinds said, adding he wants to “participate in the powers given to council by our charter.”

The council has tackled major proposals in the last few weeks.

Notably, the city's policymaking body worked through a proposed sales tax increase brought forward by five councilmembers and the mayor. Some members felt it was rushed through the legislative process, but the council ultimately sent the question to voters after making modifications.

If approved by voters, Denver’s sales tax would rise to 9.31%, and if another sales tax measure to fund Denver Health — the city’s hospital system — also sails through, the sales tax would increase by another 0.34 points. A sales tax of 9.65% would be the highest in the metro area, rivaling only Colorado's mountain and resort towns.

The Downtown Denver Partnership has thrown its support behind both sales tax increases.

The $1.7 million contract will appear before the council again on Sept. 9, just over a week after more blocks on the mall reopen.

Garrett invited people to attend a special celebration in honor of the reopening at 10 a.m. on Aug. 29 on 16th Street between Wazee and Larimer streets. People may RSVP here .

Anecdotally, Garrett said foot traffic in the section that has already opened has increased by 30% to 50%. Still, she said, the ARPA money is needed to help repopulate downtown, especially the 16th Street Mall, which still has a number of vacancies.

“We need to continue to bring businesses back, support local entrepreneurs and those businesses who will help anchor us because we are certainly not out of the economic woods yet,” Garrett said. “It is absolutely imperative that we’re protecting the success that we have and ensuring that we solve for the vulnerabilities that still exist.”