portfolio of special places in westminster
If you don't want to see water rate hikes of 4.5% per year for the next ten years, you might want to reconsider the proposed "Water Treatment Plant" currently in the works among the current Westminster City Councilors.The photo below, shows the site of the proposed "NEW" water treatment plant in Westminster. Right now, this site is home to the Butterfly Pavillion, and many species of native birds, such as Burrowing Owls, Red Tailed Hawks, as well as a nesting pair of Bald Eagles. It is also home to numerous prairie dogs, small mammals, snakes, insects and others. These creatures all live among mature Cottonwood trees, wetlands, streams and ponds. This would change if the proposed water treatment plant were to be constructed. That is, it would all be bulldozed & destroyed to make room for noisy construction, concrete structures, chain link fencing, bright lights, etc. Obviously, this is not a sustainable plan and we can do a lot better! We can repair the existing Semper & Northwest Water Treatment Plants, while also adding smaller auxiliary treatment plants throughout the city, where needed. All at a fraction of the cost of the proposed budget. And what is the current proposed budget? It is over $300 million at full buildout! Yikes...NO WAY! We can do a LOT BETTER THAN THAT!
Sustainable Alternatives
We can re-imagine Westminster with green and sustainable architecture. How about the proposed municipal courthouse? Let's use the existing structure and add elegant solar panels, geothermal heating, and updated parking & landscaping that incorporates storm water drainage swales & irrigation for a truly green and sustainable structure! And we can use Federal IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) funding to do it. This is in contrast to making these decisions in secret "Executive Session" meetings at City Council that benefit bond investors, but never really benefit the residents who actually use and PAY for these Capital Improvements!
Re-purposing Sheridan Green Elementary School
Now that the school has closed, the structure and surrounding park would make a great community center. The site can be home to a sound studio, art classes, weekend reading events for kids & adults, senior services, pre-school, etc. while the property even has space available for affordable & sustainable homes for city employees and others.
Pedestrian-Oriented Neighborhoods
Better than transit-oriented neighborhoods, Pedestrian-Oriented neighborhoods allow people to walk to shops, work, restaurants, parks and other amenities. These neighborhoods existed within Westminster years ago, and should be encouraged to make a comeback, with a new flair and purpose!
A new transit system that works for today's needs ...
We need a local transit system that helps people get from the south side of Westminster to the north in an easy & environmentally-friendly way. People can shop our local stores and frequent our local recreation centers, rather than assuming that everyone wants to work in Downtown Denver. Those days are past. We need a transit system that works for us, here & now, in Westminster!