|
Broomfield Town Square - coming in 2025
The Site Development Plan was approved on September 12, 2023 for the Broomfield Town Square. The guiding principles for this site were:
- A signature Town Square uniquely Broomfield
- Curated mix of retail/restaurants - ideally local
- Pedestrian-friendly promenades, trails, and public spaces
- Encouraging a healthy lifestyle and public art
- Environmental Sustainability
There will be 479 apartments and 12 townhomes, proposed 63,590+ sq. ft. of commercial real estate, a 4.5 acre lake, public plaza, beach, boathouse, trails and a future library expansion.
A lot of consideration was given to the liability insurance and how people would be protected while in the vicinity of the lake. There will be fences in strategic areas and marshy areas which is supposed to minimize visitations by geese, however; Mayor Castriotta did point out that geese have wings. There was also a lot of consideration given to the removal of trees, what happens in a drought when the lake will have to be filled, will the fish in the lake die, and whether the project is truly environmentally sustainable. Several people spoke to the excitement of having a downtown Broomfield location and another individual wanted to address the $73 million cost to the city. The land was assessed in 2019 for $20 million which is now probably more expensive and the $53 million is now $54 million. The original project began in 2015.
Manager Hoffman made reference to the additional costs and the risk that might be associated with inflation, uncertain times, and possibly not being able to attract businesses. The Site Development Plan proposed by City Street Investors (CSI) can be viewed here. When BURA member Liz Law-Evans asked for a total cost to the taxpayer, the city attorney would not answer as the focus of the meeting was the Site Development Plan.
As far as environmental sustainability is concerned, in September last year (2022) it was estimated that the lake would require 25.9 acre-feet to initially fill the lake at a cost of $678,000. It also states that every year, Broomfield residents will pay to “top off” the lake at a cost of $15,000. Remember back at the City Council meeting on August 22, 2023 they were going to mandate watering restrictions for the residents of Broomfield, but I guess the City Council doesn't have to obey the mandates because they just get the money from you anyway.
Does it bother you that the people that are supposed to work for you, don't actually care if their policies hurt you, they just want to look good.
| 
