STANDARD BLADE B R I G H T O N
SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1903
75cI
VOLUME 118
Issue 12
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2021
State adjusts COVID dial of restrictions Change comes as Jefferson appeared set to possibly slide back to yellow BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
As two Denver metro counties watched their rates of new coronavirus cases hover at a level that could roll back reopening success, the state public-health department announced changes to Colorado’s color-coded system of restrictions that make it easier for counties to remain in their respective dial levels. The state’s COVID-19 dial is the set of restrictions counties must follow based on local virus spread. The restrictions apply to capacity at restaurants, other businesses, indoor and outdoor events, and other settings. Among the dial’s six levels, blue is the second-least restrictive. The state moved Broomfield to level blue effective Feb. 22, according to Broomfield’s website. Jefferson, Park and Clear Creek counties entered level blue on Feb. 26, according to the state’s COVID-19 website. Despite Broomfield and Jefferson moving to blue, their one-week rates of new cases as of March 1 appeared to have ticked up to levels that threatened to move the counties back up one level to yellow. As of March 7, the counties still appeared poised to backslide: Jefferson sat at 105 new cases per 100,000 people, and Broomfield at 150. As of the Feb. 6 changes, counties qualify for level blue, in part, when they maintain enough days below 100 new cases per 100,000 people. Shortly after the state’s announcement on March 8, Broomfield posted on Twitter that it would move to SEE COVID DIAL, P4
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Continuing Founders Plaza work? With high-ticket items gone, Council considers continuing downtown plaza work BY SCOTT TAYLOR STAYLOR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The City could apply for grants to help bring some color to downtown’s Founders Plaza, or it could cut its losses and give up on the development. Parks and Recreation Director Travis Haines outlined a plan at a March 9 City Council study session for a second phase of the plaza along Bridge and Main streets downtown that calls for colored concrete on a gathering area, a rubber play surface and more trees, lights and shelter at the park. Haines said the plan is to split costs between his department’s capital budget and a grant from Adams County. “We currently have funding in the Parks and Recreation Department to cover the entire cost of the project,” Haines told City Councilors. “But we would like to apply for a grant with Adams County open space for $385,000 which would cover 55% of the project cost.” Councilors were scheduled to vote on applying for the grant at their March 16 meeting. Councilor Matt Johnston said he wouldn’t vote to spend another penny on the plaza, whether it’s grant money or capital projects budget. “I’m a hard no on spending another dollar,” Johnston said. “I don’t feel as if the best thing we can do is put more money into this when the citizens have consistently said, not just on social media platforms but even on the few studies we did, they said no.” Crews wrapped work on the plaza last summer, and Haines said the city hosted a public session on it when the work was done to find out what residents wanted in the next phase. “The basis was to receive input from citizens, city council and staff
Bridge Street traffic buzz past Brighton’s Founders Plaza. With work on the first phase wrapping up last year, councilors are considering applying for a grant to do a second PHOTO BY SCOTT TAYLOR phase of work there.
on what could be included in phase 2 that people would really like to see,” Haines said. The city also sent out a survey to residents. Consultants Norris Designs compiled those requests in a new design project. Haines said the current second phase does away with several expensive options, such as a children’s play splash pad and a portable hockey rink. “It turns out that the larger ticket items were the things that people really didn’t desire to see anymore,” Haines said. “That was a restroom, a splash pad and a portable ice hockey rink. By removing those three items we took a little over $900,000 out of what phase 2 was originally set out to be.” The new design also dispenses with plans for a raised stage for downtown performances because it would have required significant ongoing maintenance. Instead, the plan calls for colored concrete along the Eastern edge of the plaza that could be used for performances and gatherings. “It’s still an event area where we can have gatherings for the (Christ-
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2 • City in better shape 3 financially after COVID 7 than first thought 8 • Page 12 15
mas) tree lighting and any other events we want to host,” he said. “We could put Santa Clause there so the kids can visit him during the annual parade.” It also includes a poured-rubber surface with play features. “Instead of a playground-type area, there would be some activities for the kids,” Haines said. “There could be climbing apparatus and could double as more seating area if we need it.” Along the Western edge, Haines said residents asked for more trees, lights and shelter. “Additional seating and more shade were things that people really wanted,” he said. Haines said the cost for the second phase comes out to $700,000. The city would use $315,000 from Recreation Department’s capital project if it gets a $385,000 grant from Adams County to pay for the work. Councilor Adam Cushing he’d like to apply for the grant but said he was not seeing what he wanted in the plaza.
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