September 3, 2015 VOLUME 92 | ISSUE 3
LakewoodSentinel.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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Attendees at the Civic Center Plaza reopening ceremony gather for a massive group photo to celebrate the occasion. Photos by Clarke Reader
Reopening in grand style City unveils updated Civic Center Plaza
SEE YOU IN 2115! Here are some of the items that were buried in the time capsule under the cornerstone of the new Lakewood Civic Center Plaza. The capsule won’t be unearthed for 100 years. • City documents, such as Mayor Bob Murphy’s 2015 State of the City and city ordinances • City information, such as a boundary map and annual budget • Police department memorabilia • Car parts and accessories, such as emergency lights for car visor and a spark plug • City tourist information, including a copy Bravo magazine and Pottery from Washington Heights • iPhone 5
During the Civic Center Plaza cornerstone laying ceremony on Aug. 28, Lakewood bury a time capsule with such varied items as an iPhone 5, city budget, copies of some Lakewood laws passed this year by City Council and a bike map. The capsule won’t be excavated for 100 years.
• Photos of employees, city staff •W Line opening celebration memorabilia • Pin worn to Agent James Davies (fallen officer in November 2012) funeral attached to Cindy Baroway’s card • Baseball from the Foothills Elementary Field of Dreams project • Zip drive (with Lakewood logo) of the following: A city council meeting, history of Lakewood and Wheat Ridge, overview of Lakewood Police Department, transcripts of an interview done with Jim Ritchie
By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com Visitors to Lakewood’s city hall and Cultural Center will no longer have to dodge potholes and puddles or navigate a plywood maze of mud and fences. Construction is over, and the Civic Center Plaza is restored. “This was a one-of-a-kind project — one that was very complicated,” said Kyle Beck, project supervisor and infrastructure, maintenance and operations engineer with the city. “It’s a huge accomplishment for the contractors and everyone involved.” The renovation included two phases of work over two years. One of the highlights of the project is an underground heating system for snowmelt, which will make walking the plaza much safer during the winter months. Additional work included waterproofing the underground parking garage and increasing the load capacity of the drive lane. The city celebrated the reopening of the area with a day of celebration on Aug. 27, and the festivities kicked off in the morning with a cornerstone laying ceremony and time capsule burial, courtesy of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Colorado. “This ceremony we’re performing today is the same George Washington used when he set the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol in 1793,” said Freemason Kevin Townley. Attendees had the opportunity to put concrete around the cornerstone, as part of the ceremony, before the masons poured corn, oil and wine over it to symbolize nourishment, peace and plenty. The ceremony also included the burial of a time capsule filled with items like an iPhone 5, a copy of the city budget and some Lakewood laws passed
City employees, leaders and residents were all on hand to celebrate the reopening of the Lakewood Civic Center Plaza, and had the chance to put their personal touch on some of the public art in the plaza. this year by city council. Additional items included the city’s first-ever Sustainability Plan, a commemorative coin from Lakewood’s status as a 2011 All-America City and various other memorabilia. “This is the third time capsule Lakewood has buried, and it’s always a fun thing to be a part of,” said Mayor Bob Murphy. “We asked city council and every department what to put in it, and we won’t see it again for 100 years.” City employees and staff were out during the ceremony enjoying the weather and all the access to seating they have after years of construction. “There are so many places to choose for lunch out here now,” said employee Bill Jewell. “It’s really kind of serene out here and puts you at ease.” Later in the evening the city welcomed resiGrand continues on Page 16
Library tax increase to be on ballot Jeffco libraries say funding needed to restore services and upgrade technology By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com Jefferson County residents can help extend Jeffco public library hours, pay for more books and materials, update Internet access and technology and, essentially, secure the future of the the county’s library system. To do that, library officials say, Jef-
STAY UP-TO-DATE Library employees are not allowed to advocate for a mill levy increase, but a volunteer campaign committee has been organized to support the initiative. To learn more, visit www.yesforjeffcolibraries.com. ferson County residents need to approve an increase in the library’s mill levy to a maximum of 4.5 mills from 3.5 mills. That means Jeffco homeowners would pay about 67 cents more for every $100,000 of
home value, said the libraries’ executive director, Pam Nissler. “It has become clear to us that we can no longer deliver 21st-century library services on a 20th-century budget,” said Ray Elliott, chairman of the Library Board of Trustees, in a media release. The board recommended the increase, the first since 1986. The Jefferson County Public Library network has more registered card holders than Douglas and Arapahoe counties, said Rebecca Winning, the libraries’ director of communications. And Jeffco libraries wants to offer its patrons the
same level of services as neighboring county libraries. Marketplace studies of Jeffco libraries and surrounding counties indicated Jeffco libraries “weren’t able to provide the needs and level of services people desire,” said Rebecca Winning, the libraries’ communications director. The library interviewed and surveyed more than 5,000 Jeffco residents to find out what they would support. Pam Nissler, executive director of Jeffco libraries, said 62 percent supported the Library continues on Page 16