Mayor's plan: 9 Denver institutions to share $57 million bond windfall

Nine of Denver's largest cultural institutions would receive a windfall of capital improvement cash under a mayor's office plan to spend the last of the money voters agreed to borrow for building improvements in 2007.

The $57 million remaining from the Better Denver bond initiatives would fund a new shared parking garage for The Denver Zoo and the Museum of Nature & Science; a new amphitheater in Ruby Hill Park and a pedestrian bridge over Champa Street connecting the Denver Performing Arts Center to the Colorado Convention Center parking garage.

Other big winners in a quest for money that pitted museums against theaters against preservation efforts include the historic McNichols Building in Civic Center, which will get enough to finish renovations and reopen as an events center; the Denver Art Museum, for improvements to its older North Building and Red Rocks Amphitheatre, which will get enough to connect to the municipal water supply instead of underground aquifers.

Losers include the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, which has been seeking funds to transform Boettcher Concert Hall where it plays into a state-of-the-art digital performance and recording center. However, $16.7 million will be spent to maintain and repair the concert hall.

Another loser: the National Western Stock Show, which wanted $14 million toward maintenance to keep its buildings functioning while the city decides whether to help it move to another location or not.

The Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave won't get help with a major expansion.

Much of the bond money became available because a plan to spend $38 million overhauling Boettcher Concert Hall, which voters approved directly, fell through. That proposal called for the CSO to match the funds but it was unable to raise the money.

The plan now goes to the City Council for approval. The council could approve it entirely or suggest revisions as it examines proposals and hears from constituents. It could also object to borrowing any of the money.

So far, there has been almost no opportunity for public comment on how the funds could be spent.

Here is the official list of recommendations, from the mayor's office.

Boettcher Concert Hall, improvements, $16.7 million; Denver Performing Arts Complex,Champa Street Bridge, $2.5 million; Denver Art Museum, North Building renovation, $3 million; Denver Botanic Gardens, infrastructure work, $6.6 million; Denver Center for the Performing Arts, deferred maintenance, $9.9 million.

Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Denver Zoo, parking, $4.4 million; Ruby Hill Park, Levitt Pavilion Amphitheatre, $2 million; McNichols Building, renovation, $5.5 million; Red Rocks Amphitheater, water supply and other improvements, $2.8 million.

Ray Mark Rinaldi: 303-954-1540, rrinaldi@denverpost.com or twitter.com/rayrinaldi

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dp-entertainment/~3/_ggkl-uFcvA/mayors-plan-9-denver-institutions-share-57-million

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