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 with the City Council setting goals.
- Council sets goals that could apply to many applications
- Council is not allowed to direct staff so technically no Council Member can say “please do this project to fulfill this goal”
- Council can claim credit for staff achieving specific goals even when there has been no apparent public decision. (For example, the Navigation Center was not a specific goal)
- Throughout the year, staff can justify many new projects without public discussion thereby leading to conspiracy theories about Point #2. (Can you find RTD lights under the stated goals?)
Public and City Choose Different Bridges
These bridge lights will be beautiful – if they can stay lit. Unsubstantiated sources suggest that the lights cannot remain functional through the train vibrations that displace electrical wiring.
In the bigger picture, there was public outcry in 2023 for a different bridge. Public wanted to keep the use of a pedestrian bridge in Ravines Open Space park. 290 residents signed a petition to keep a bridge that will now be lost. For the price of the lights that are RTD property, the city could have kept the city beautiful a different way. Now those park users will have an unusable pipe-hanger while RTD gets bridge lights that will, certainly, be enjoyed by all.
Footnote: then-Counselor Janssen did not receive any answers to her questions before Council voted to approve this budget.