Office of the City Manager
City of Wheat Ridge
7500 West 29 th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033-8001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 27, 2007
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Heather Geyer, Assistant to the City Manager/PIO
(Office Phone) 303-235-2826
(Cell Phone) 720-933-8945
E-mail: hgeyer@ci.wheatridge.co.us
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE D.I.R.T TASK FORCE
MEETINGS TO KICK-OFF WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2007 AT 6:30 P.M.
Members of the D.I.R.T. Task Force (
Drainage,
Infrastructure,
Roads and
Trails) will kick-off a series of public meetings to comprehensively evaluate over $153 million of potential public works and parks infrastructure projects within the community. The Task Force will also evaluate approximately $10 million of land banking and development/redevelopment projects within the community proposed by Wheat Ridge 2020.
The Task Force will meet on Wednesday, February 28, 2007, at 6:30 p.m., at Wheat Ridge City Hall, located at 7500 W. 29th Avenue.
Mayor Jerry DiTullio formed the Task Force in January 2007 in order to get residents involved in planning for the future of Wheat Ridge. "The Task Force is going to help address the problem of the City not having the financial resources to design and/or implementdentified projects by City Council, city staff and Wheat Ridge 2020. The Task Force will review which projects have been identified as key to the long-term sustainability of the community," said Mayor Jerry DiTullio.
The Task Force is represented by City Councilmember Mike Stites, of District 3 who will serve as Chair of the Task Force. Councilmember Larry Schulz, of District 4 will serve as Vice-Chair. The Task Force will also be represented by Councilmember Terry Womble, District 1 and Councilmember Dean Gokey, District 2.
City Treasurer, Mary Cavarra and Rob Osborn, Executive Director of Wheat Ridge 2020 will also serve as Task Force members in addition to 11 Wheat Ridge residents, one of which is a youth representative from Wheat Ridge High School.
"The Task Force is made up of a diverse group of residents in Wheat Ridge and they are going to play a very important role in shaping the future of Wheat Ridge," added Mayor DiTullio.
Beginning with proposed parks, trails and recreation improvements, Task Force members will hear presentations by City staff who will provide an overview of each of the proposed projects and why they are of importance to Wheat Ridge. Following the February 28 th kick-off meeting, the Task Force will meet on a regular basis through May on the following dates:
Roadway and Streetscape Improvements, Wednesday, March 7, 2007;
Storm Sewer/Drainage Improvements, Wednesday, March 21, 2007;
Power Line Under grounding, Facility Improvements, and Technology Infrastructure Needs, Wednesday, April 11, 2007;
Wheat Ridge 2020 & Community Input, Wednesday, April 25, 2007;
Wrap Up Meeting: Discussion of Funding Options & Prioritization, Wednesday, May 9, 2007;
Outcome of Project Prioritization, Wednesday, May 23, 2007;
All Task Force meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and are open to the public. Meetings will be taped and replayed on Wheat Ridge Channel 8. For more information on replay times, please visit the City of Wheat Ridge Web site at
www.ci.wheatridge.co.us and click on the Channel 8 schedule.
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