The Wheat Ridge City Council met on June 26 for a regular session. Here are the actions that will impact the community soon.

The Rec Center will get a new parking lot

The Wheat Ridge Recreational Center will receive a new parking lot. The council approved a resolution to award Sunland Asphalt and Construction of Littleton, CO the contract. According to the resolution, the parking lot has been deteriorating because of soil issues since its opening in 2020.

Sunland’s bid will cost the city $485,900.72. According to the resolution, the Recreation Center will shut down between Aug. 21 and 27, 2023 for repairs. In case of emergencies, the city requires Sunland to finish work by September 29, 2023.

For more information on the contract, Sunland’s bid, and more, see Item 1a on Wheat Ridge Speaks.org

Anderson Park gets a new playground

The city received a portion of the sale of the Denver Broncos Football Club in 2022. Since then, the city has been vetting projects to fund, with special attention on those projects which will impact Wheat Ridge kids.

During the Monday meeting, the council approved funding a new playground at Anderson Park. The resolution appropriates $384, 662.99 to GameTime. The company will install the new playground at Anderson Park.

According to the GameTime proposal, some of the parts will take up to 18 weeks to ship. This means that the playground will not be ready for this summer season, of course. For more information about GameTime, the sale proceeds, or the new playground, check out Item 1c on Wheat Ridge Speaks.org.

Wheat Ridge and a Jeffco Housing Authority focus on The Ives

The Ives is considered a transit-oriented housing community on 44^th and Wadsworth in Wheat Ridge. It’s affordable housing overseen by Foothills Regional Housing, a Jefferson County housing authority. During the council meeting, the city council approved $1.9 million for The Ives.

The funding is $1,970, 630 in Private Activity Bonds that the city can assign. The bonds are meant to stimulate jobs and help expand the community, according to the resolution. Assigning the bonds to Foothills Regional Housing for The Ives does satisfy the bond’s purpose. Expect more information on how the funds will be allocated in future meetings. For more information, see Item 2, on Wheat Ridge Speaks.org.

July is officially Parks and Recreation Month

Mayor Bud Starker declared the entire month of July 2023 Parks and Recreation Month in Wheat Ridge. The proclamation recognizes the benefits that the Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation Department brings to the city. The proclamation also recognizes that the U.S. House of Representatives recently made the same designation.

For more information, see Wheat Ridge Speaks.org.

Other activities from the council meeting:

• Parking requirements for affordable housing approved. Wheat Ridge reduced the parking requirements on deed-restricted affordable housing units. Doing so eliminates another barrier to expanding affordable housing in the city.
• Daycare zoning changes approved. The zoning changes to expand the daycare options available to parents in the city. The approved ordinance now allows daycare centers in areas zoned Neighborhood Commercial and Restricted Commercial. Other changes were made to update the language on the ordinance as well. According to the ordinance, the change will significantly reduce barriers to child care in Wheat Ridge.

Watch the entire council meeting on the Wheat Ridge YouTube page.