challenges

The City of Englewood was established in 1903.  Although Englewood is a small community of 6.5 square miles,  we have been a force to be reckoned with in Colorado since our inception.  Independent and strong-willed we have kept our Home Rule Authority, twice stopped Denver annexation and maintained a rich history of innovation.  Englewood has always been a diverse and sustainable community.

Affordable Housing – Englewood Housing Authority created in 1972
In 1972 the Englewood City Council established the Englewood Housing Authority (aka Innovative Housing Concepts) designed with powers to develop, manage and maintain low to moderate income housing for those residing in the City of Englewood.  The first two properties were Simon Center and Orchard Place.  In the past 10 years the Housing Authority has partnered with developers in order to provide additional affordable housing options in Englewood. A few of these properties are:

• Traditions at Englewood
• The Foundry Apartments
• Broadway Lofts
• Canterbury Apartments and the
• Terraces on Pennsylvania.

Developers were given Tax Credits and the City has forgone collection of Property Taxes on these properties in order to provide additional affordable Housing in Englewood.

Over the last 10 years, the City of Englewood has also rezoned large sections of Industrial Property for high density and mixed-use development. Currently there are:

• six new projects along the light rail corridor
• several projects in the Hospital district and
• several projects along the 285 corridor.

City Center redevelopment – future plans for housing
In addition, future plans for housing are being discussed as part of the City Center redevelopment, to include…”1,070 residential units, retail and office space, a new city hall, a hotel and public gathering spaces.” The Englewood Downtown Development Authority is currently looking for a development partner.

According to the 2020 Census information (Colorado Department of Local Affairs) since 2010 Englewood’s population has increased by 11.3%, housed in the 1,567 additional homes already created.  Englewood has expanded our minority population by 47% and currently boasts a population density higher than Denver.

“I have lived here most of my life and never expected Englewood to stay the same.  At this point we have an opportunity to engage in a thoughtful process to create a vision for our future – the future of Englewood.

Will we choose to create a quality of life where people want to be?  I believe you, the citizens of Englewood have the power to determine where we will go!  Together we can make a difference!”

Rita Russell – Council Member at Large

Englewood is a small city facing huge challenges.

I don’t think there has been a time in our history when we have been more in need of input and guidance from our citizens.  The decisions that will have to be made during the next four years will shape our destinies for decades to come.

Stormwater Drainage System

The fatal flooding on July 24, 2018 highlighted the need to address our aging Stormwater Drainage System. While we have completed clearing and cleaning the entire system and repairing and replacing damaged and broken pipes, still there remains more to be accomplished. At City Council direction Staff has purchased land at S. Navajo Street just south of W. Radcliff. Detention ponds are scheduled for construction at that location. To fund these improvements City Council approved a $10M Stormwater Enterprise Revenue Bond issue in 2021 and authorized a loan agreement with Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority (CWRPDA) for $26M in 2022 to fund the Stormwater Enterprise Fund.

We have had issues with the Oxford connection line since 2015 and are repairing new sinkholes on Oxford and Windemere yet again. With additional high density increasing the burden on this area, we need to require build standards in partnership with new development approvals. The Stormwater Drainage System must be the number one priority for the next City Council!

Many studies have been done over the years! It is time to take action. The new City Council will need to decide:

• What will be the next steps to address this complex issue?
• How can we ensure there will be no more sinkholes on Oxford or Windemere?
• What is the most effective solution to this ongoing problem?

Density and Development

Increasing density has become a hot topic in many communities across the nation and in the state of Colorado. The State of Colorado tried to override Home Rule Authority by mandating increased density in municipalities across the state in Senate Bill 213. That bill was soundly defeated statewide leaving the discussion about density in the hands of the citizens in each municipality.

Englewood is a small city of just over 6.5 square miles, and according to the 2020 Census, already the densest municipality in the Denver Metro area with a population density of 5178 people per square mile, while Denver itself has a population density of 4674 people per square mile.

Currently the City Council is seeking to pass the Code Next Project (also known as The Unified Development Code) which is a complete rewrite of Title 16 of our Municipal Code. The current draft of Code Next allows for exponential increase in density by drastically changing our current zoning codes, especially in our single-family neighborhoods. First and Second Readings of the ordinance will occur on September 11, 2023 and September 25, 2023 respectively.

Hundreds of Englewood Citizens have come to speak at City Council over the past several months. You have made your wishes known to City Council and yet it seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Where we go from here is up to you! First and foremost, remember, “Elections have consequences.” Depending on the recall results we may have three elections. You need to vet candidates and elect people that represent your interests.

Discussions that follow those elections need to include:

• How much density is enough?
• What is it you value most about Englewood?
• How do we protect what you value the most and yet promote responsible
  growth?
• How can City Council best promote the culture and safety of our community?

Police

Public Safety has always been one of the priorities we care about most in Englewood! So, when we see a significant increase in crime it becomes very concerning to us. Not only is crime increasing in our neighborhoods, it is also increasing in our business districts. This is not unique to Englewood, but it is something that City Council must address. The citizens of Englewood have always been very supportive of our men and women in blue. We need to work together to find solutions to make Englewood a place where residents and businesses are safe and can depend on their elected officials to make sure that happens!

Fiscal Sanity

The City has a long list of projects that will involve huge financial commitments. To realistically assess the burdens we are placing on our taxpayers, we must consider debt commitments already in place, as well as those under consideration.

• Within the last 6 years, voters approved bond issues to build 4 new elementary schools and an Early Childhood Center. Englewood School District’s part of the mill levy has increased significantly in the past few years.
• Also, within the past 6 years, voters approved a bond issue to build a state-of-the-art Police Building, a debt we are already committed to pay.
• City Council has secured Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) low interest loans to finance Water and Sewer infrastructure improvements.
• City Council has also secured Stormwater Enterprise Revenue Bonds and Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority (CWRPDA) low interest loans to fund the Stormwater Enterprise Fund to pay for improvements in the Stormwater Drainage system.

Considerations I oppose include increasing property taxes to provide increased revenue for the General Fund. Although the General Fund mill levy has not increased in over 25 years, property taxes paid by residents and business owners has increased significantly. In the above list, it is apparent we are funding the challenges our city is facing. When things get tight for you and me, we cut spending; it is not unreasonable for you to expect your government leaders to do the same. What I do favor is assessing whether we can cut spending before increasing taxes. I want to make certain the increased tax burden will not force residents or businesses to relocate!

As you can see, our list of challenges is daunting, but it provides us with many opportunities to work together to strengthen and improve our community.  I value your input and encourage you to make your voices heard.

Together we can make a difference!
Rita Russell