Less than 48 hours after Denverites signed off on Mayor Mike Johnston’s $950 million Vibrant Denver bond package, construction is starting on the first project.
Why it matters: The clock starts now for Johnston to deliver on the dozens of investments voters just approved — upgrades he’s promised to finish by Dec. 31, 2031.
Driving the news: Groundbreaking starts Thursday on the Denver Health Sam Sandos Westside Family Health Center, the mayor announced Wednesday.
- The bond package unlocks $20 million to build a new clinic in the Westside neighborhood to replace the existing one.
Zoom in: The upgraded site will broaden access to care — adding pediatric and adult primary care, dental and OB/GYN services, physical and occupational therapy, radiology and staff wellness space.
- Denver Health plans to keep the current clinic open throughout construction.
- Haselden Construction — the same firm building the Denver National Women’s Soccer League team’s new training center in Centennial — landed the contract, Johnston’s spokesperson Jon Ewing told Axios Denver.
Zoom out: Johnston says other projects will soon follow, including infrastructure improvements at Denver’s major cultural anchors such as the zoo, art museum, botanic gardens and center for the performing arts…