City News
This is news from the city of Boulder, about the city or any of its departments
Boulders High Rent District
Aug 1st
It’s not Beverly Hills, Folks!
The Downtown Boulder Pearl Street Mall has become a desirable location for various retail and other businesses. But, as buildings change ownership, the rents change, too. Out-of-area landlords may expect higher rent from retailers which, in many recent cases, causes the retailers to close and move shop!
Recently there have been several Pearl Street Mall businesses closing and moving because the rents topped at 10% increases or more. Some have opted to move to 29th Street. Several are still in their current locations with “for rent” signs glaring in their windows.
As to the outcome, we’ll wait and see. The cute boutique Chelsea near 10th Street on Pearl Street is moving and so is the T-Bar, upscale lingerie which moved from its original location on 9th Street and is now located on Pearl near 15th Street ! Some stores with internet sales can survive. Others can’t.
While out of town visitors may spend more here, residents are struggling along just like others in other parts of the country.
Increasing prices won’t gain more customers. So, anything on Pearl Street had better be a big “seller” or they won’t be here long. Restaurants, too, come and go for the same reasons.
What is the downtown management doing about it? Stimulating the economy in a secret way that brings additional retailers and customers to town? When so many events take up the spaces on the Mall and nearby streets, people do not frequent the shops more. Instead, they come for the events and leave.
So, Boulder’s high rent district is just that. It doesn’t seem to want to go away!
Boulder City Council to discuss Xcel franchise Tuesday
Jul 30th
Boulder City Council to discuss franchise Tuesday
Staff recommends utility occupation tax instead of new franchise
Staff recommends utility occupation tax instead of new franchise
The City of Boulder may ask voters to support a limited-term utility occupation tax instead of a franchise agreement with Xcel Energy.
Boulder City Manager Jane Brautigam will ask City Council on Tuesday, Aug. 3, to give the city more time to chart out its energy future, recommending that council decline to place a 20-year Xcel franchise agreement on the ballot this November. The staff recommendation follows months of analysis and negotiations with Xcel Energy.
The current franchise agreement was set to expire Aug. 3, and has been extended by Xcel through Dec. 31, 2010. The agreement gives the utility access to the city’s streets, alleys and other rights-of-way for the purpose of providing gas and electricity to Boulder consumers. In exchange for the rights-of-way, Xcel pays $3.9 million to the city.
Whether the city enters into a new franchise or not, Xcel Energy is required to continue to provide gas and electricity to Boulder customers. The city manager’s recommendation to go out of franchise will have no impact on the energy services provided by Xcel. However, the decision may result in a loss of $3.9 million to the city’s General Fund.
Without a franchise agreement, the utility will no longer be required to collect a 3 percent franchise fee from its customers. The money is used to help pay for core services, including police, fire, libraries, parks, human services and public works.
Brautigam said the franchise revenue could be replaced with a utility occupation tax on Xcel if council supports this option and voters approve it in November.
Brautigam is recommending that council place a five-year occupation tax on Xcel on the ballot for voter consideration on Nov. 2. The revenue measure is not a new tax on voters. The tax is on Xcel and replaces the franchise fee. The utility will likely pass the cost onto ratepayers as it does with the current franchise fee.
The measure maintains the integrity of the city’s budget and provides important funding for core services. The proposed tax expires in five years, providing the needed time to
study the best ways to meet Boulder’s renewable energy goals. In addition to replacing
the $3.9 million franchise fee, council will be asked to consider including $450,000 per year in the revenue measure to fund a decarbonization study that explores the city’s long-term energy options.
“Our voters have told us very clearly that they support alternative sources of energy and want Boulder to be a leader in moving toward a cleaner supply,” said Brautigam. “While we appreciate Xcel’s efforts and commend them for working with us during this process, the city is not prepared to enter into a 20-year agreement at this time. I am asking council to keep all of our options open and give city staff and outside experts time to examine where the industry is going and how we best can achieve the community’s goals.”
Brautigam emphasized that the recommendation does not rule out the possibility of a franchise agreement with Xcel Energy at some later date. That option, along with others, including municipalization, should remain under consideration.
“We value Xcel’s services and the partnerships we have formed with their employees,” Brautigam said.
Council will consider these recommendations at its regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 3, in City Council Chambers, 1777 Broadway. A detailed memo to council will be available by the end of today at www.bouldercolorado.gov/energyfuture.
Pearl Street 30 Anniversary
Sep 11th
It’s the 30th Anniversary of the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder and we talk with the parks and recreation department about some of the big events planned for the day including a tulip bulb giveaway, the Pearl Street Mile Run, a book signing, a free concert with Richie Furay.
