Harvard Gulch flood work needs land from three homeowners, and Denver asks for condemnation power to get it
Also headed to the Finance Committee: $1.15 million to buy easements for replacing two load-limited bridges over Quebec, and a $50 million natural gas contract.
The next phase of Denver's Harvard Gulch flood project needs slivers of private land, and the city wants authority to take them if it can't buy them. A land acquisition ordinance, 26-1735, went through the Mayor-Council meeting Nov. 10 and is headed to the Finance and Business Committee on consent.
Why it matters: eminent domain, the power to condemn private property, is one of the most serious things a city can use, even for small pieces. Here it would apply to a few homes along East Vassar Avenue in District 6.
The Harvard Gulch ordinance
According to the bill request:
- Where: Harvard Gulch along East Vassar Avenue between South Steele Street and South Cook Street.
- What: culvert, grading and sewer work to fix sediment problems and shrink the 100-year floodplain. Crews would remove a bridge, add soil, enlarge a culvert and add a new storm pipe and inlet.
- What's needed: 3 permanent easements, 3 temporary easements and 2 outright purchases, from 3 residential owners and 1 landowner, totaling 4,544 square feet.
- How: negotiated purchase "or condemnation."
- Who pays: the Mile High Flood District and the city's transportation department.
What our records add. The Council has passed a fourth amendment to the city's agreement with the Mile High Flood District for Harvard Gulch, 26-1521, which brings it to $15,404,205 and sets aside $400,000 of the city's share for buying easements. It is awaiting the mayor's signature (our story). The area is in Paul Kashmann's District 6.
Smith and Sandown bridges
26-1734 is a $1,150,000 escrow agreement with HC Peck & Associates, through 2029, to buy easements and handle relocations, appraisals and title work for replacing the Smith Road and Sandown Road bridges over Quebec Street in District 8. The bridges "have reached the end of their usable lives and are load posted," meaning weight limits are in place, according to the request. Outright purchases aren't included.
$50 million for natural gas
26-1743 is a master purchase order with WoodRiver Energy for up to $50 million for "transport natural gas" to city buildings, for three years plus two one-year renewals, to as late as March 31, 2032. WoodRiver was the low bidder and replaces Spark Hold Co, according to the request. It is paid from the General Fund and is new to the city.
Also filed
- A $2 million master purchase order with Graybar Electric for telecommunication supplies through Feb. 1, 2029 (26-1736).
- A $10-a-year license for Bayaud Works at the Stay Inn micro-community (26-1733, our story).
What's next
Finance and Business Committee, date to be posted. The condemnation ordinance is a bill, so it needs two Council votes.