Mayor Mike Johnston’s plans to build and upgrade bridges, streets and other public facilities inched closer to the fall ballot Monday night, but not before the public gave his staff an earful about its priorities.
The big picture: The mayor’s staff is pitching the nearly $1 billion Vibrant Bond package as a way to upgrade critical city infrastructure and build facilities by borrowing the money.
- Johnston’s administration on Monday said an additional $15 million would be added to the package for an American Indian Cultural Embassy, pushing the bond’s total to $950 million.
Driving the news: The public got a chance to speak directly to Johnston’s staff as the Denver City Council hosted a public hearing before voting to add it to the fall ballot.
State of play: The hearing offered a glimpse at how voters are feeling about incurring new debt to pay for new projects while the city faces a financial crisis that will cost some city employees their jobs…