We continue to search for resolutions on the ownership issue of the bridge. Within the special districts, we have not found interest in assuming ownership. Funding is a concern and there are conflicting views on which special districts can assume ownership. The Greenway Foundation may be willing to assume ownership if we can remove certain obstacles.
Additional backstory – Repairs may cost $300k or $3M. The community wants the bridge restored for pedestrian and cycle traffic only; the cost would be around $300k. If DOTI is involved, the bridge must be repaired to a specific standard that will allow vehicle traffic, the cost would be $3M. Since we feel vehicle traffic is unnecessary and since the city has tasked the community with the responsibility to fund and reopen the bridge, we need to find ways around working with DOTI.
Greenway is open to reevaluating taking ownership of the bridge.
7/24/2024 – I was joined by Jim Theye for a meeting with Ryan Aids, Executive Director at The Greenway Foundation. The Greenway Foundation previously maintained the bridge and Ryan was able to share some background information and useful documents. Greenway is open to reevaluating taking ownership of the bridge if 1) there is an agreement to specify all funding will come from sources outside the foundation and 2) we can engage with the city to discuss specifics of establishing ownership.
8-1-2024 – I attended the mayor’s ‘Vibrant Denver D10 Conversation’ at Union Sation along with committee members Gregg Rich and Guy Thornton. I was seated next to Adeeb Khan, E.D. of Denver Economic and Development & Opportunity. Delgany Bridge was discussed, and I floated the idea of focusing our fundraising efforts during the period of ownership transfer when Denver would have ownership, prior to the actual transfer. This would allow us better potential access to certain funds – the expanded DDA and GoCo lottery funds. I suggested that perhaps once funds were raised the city could contract or lease the bridge operation and maintenance to The Greenway Foundation, using the funds raised for the bridge but contracting with an outside contractor, not involving DOTI. Adeeb went and discussed this idea with a DOTI representative who was present, and I was told that would not be possible, that scenario would still require the repairs to the $3M standard.
8/5/2024 – Activate Delgany Bridge Committee Meeting. Tasks related to Greenway, establishing ownership, community awareness, fundraising and getting the city to initiate resolving ownership.
-I believe the city should look deeper into establishing they already own the bridge without utilizing any condemnation or eminent domain process since this would be less costly and more efficient; most believe this is a dead end.
-Many feel frustrated, that the city won’t take more responsibility and that we should be looking for ways to exert more political pressure to make that happen.
8/20/2024 – Upcoming Meeting with Chris Hinds. Focus on the question of ownership.
– Can the ownership be transferred to Greenway, a 501c3?
– Can the city begin the process of establishing, transferring ownership? Request details to provide to Greenway.
– Request city review if they can currently claim title based on the bridge being on and attached to city property?
Has DOTI provided a legal/code explanation proving that a pedestrian bridge would need to be repaired to that $3 million standard? Or was this just a way of saying the city can’t afford to take ownership?
If there is a legal requirement to repair the bridge to that standard, how will anyone get a permit to repair the bridge to a lesser standard?