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Will Lakewood remember problems when finally issuing permit

woman speaking at public comment — Get the background before Lakewood makes a decion on a Navigation Center permit

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SURVEY: Homeless and Migrant Policy

January 23, 2024/

Updated to show questions, 25 Jan 2024 The homeless and migrant situation is an ongoing concern for everyone. People want to help but disagree on what that help looks like. From tough love to complete care, what do you think? Let’s start the discussion at the beginning by answering a few basic questions. What would you like to see and how would you vote with your wallet? Please take the survey below and we will share the results next week. https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7687498/What-is-Your-homeless-policy Thank you for your time. Any suggestions for future surveys are welcome by email!

$60M apartment project in Lakewood ‘all but abandoned,’ lender says

January 20, 2024/

Cross-post from BusinessDen.com, Justin Wingerter January 19, 2024 Construction on a $60 million apartment complex along Wadsworth Boulevard “has come to a standstill due to infighting” and been “all but abandoned,” its lender alleges. Aspen Heights Partners, a Texas developer, broke ground in 2020 on a 352-unit apartment project at 1225 Wadsworth in Lakewood, with plans to finish it by the end of 2022. Amenities were to include a heated pool, dog park, bike repair shop and golf simulator. Get a subscription to continue reading this story….

Lakewood Paying for RTD Lights

January 19, 2024/

Fixing the bridge lights for RTD on the 6th Avenue overpass is an $800,000 budget item for Lakewood… to fix RTD property. The large line item caught the attention of Council Member Olver at the time. How did this get to be in the budget with no prior public discussion? Why isn’t RTD paying for their own repairs? A series of open-records requests reveal not a single communication in 2023 between RTD and any city official discussing the details of how the project came to be. Not who would pay or for what, not what they think the problem is, or why RTD cannot pay for it…. Nothing. As seen in the highlighted screenshot below, open-records requests revealed an email between the RTD point of contact and Council Member Shahrezaei. Shahrezaei responded that she would speak over the phone. Phone conversations increase communication but cannot be provided through open records requests. As the Council representative to DRCOG, Councilor Shahrezaei is in frequent contact with regional boards like RTD. The city shared that this project was submitted to the budget by the Public Works Department during the 2024 budget process. No communications came up between staff and RTD on this topic but the city says they have been in discussion about the project for years. No Council Discussion but Presumed Permission According to the city, this budget item aligns with City Council Goal 3, “Beautiful and Sustainable City.” Normally, setting goals is admirable but this statement reveals the public policy disparity...

Bandimere Update

January 19, 2024/

Cross-post from KYGO.com, By Shawn Patrick on January 18, 2024 Here’s What’s Planned for the Former Site of Colorado’s Bandimere Speedway Bandimere Speedway in Morrison has seen it’s last drag race, and will eventually have a new home, but the site will still likely have strong ties to the automotive world. Officials from California-based Copart, a car auction firm, said they are in the process of buying Bandimere Speedway and hope to turn the majority of the property into storage for cars awaiting auction. Read more at KYGO.com

Correction: Services, Not Shelter, to Move to Jeffco School

January 18, 2024/

Correction to https://lakewoodinformer.com/2023/12/29/lakewood-to-propose-a-homeless-shelter-in-public-school-building/ An unnamed, closed Jefferson County school may act as a new location for the Jeffco Action Center rather than as a shelter. The Action Center offers hardship services and is valuable resource for many unhoused. The move would also increase housing for the homeless. Plans are not final, but discussions have been started. More details have not been brought before Council yet. Per City Manager Hodgson, December 18 City Council meeting, “We recently worked with RecoveryWorks… and opened the first phase of the Navigation Center. Now we are talking about a partnership with the Action Center to move them [Action Center – not Navigation Center] to one of the schools that’s been closed…. then Lakewood would have a presence in the existing two buildings of the Action Center to complete the navigation concept and allow to for more housing for our homeless population….”

Lakewood to Welcome Migrants and Increase Shelter Options

January 11, 2024/

Despite cities across America seeking to reduce the flow of migrants, Lakewood is moving ahead to officially welcome more. On January 8, 2024, Lakewood City Council voted unanimously to move as quickly as possible to figure out how to help with Denver migrants (Note: Councilor Olver absent). A separate motion was passed for a study session on increasing service of the extreme weather shelter for the homeless, acknowledging that this will serve the migrant community as well. Unless the recommended actions impact the municipal code, further actions could be taken as soon as February 12. For example, mention was made of Lakewood being a “good neighbor”. Denver is seeking to make “good neighbor” agreements with surrounding cities to agree to take their migrant population. Lakewood’s former Mayor, Adam Paul, plays a key role in these agreements with Denver. These are unusually speedy decisions for Lakewood City Council. Generally, Council Requests for Legislative Action generate discussion and get deferred to another committee. It’s rare to have to direct action scheduled at all, let alone so quickly. Residents supporting Save Belmar Park have been asking City Council to take action for months with no results. One City Council Legislative Request was denied by the Council majority because no action was possible until new objectives were set at the annual retreat. In this case, the Council has not set ANY objectives for the year and it already has major policy decisions scheduled to be made in the February 12 meeting. The quick passage...

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