The city of Longmont launched a survey on Wednesday to measure the community’s opinion on upcoming projects.
The city of Longmont is asking residents to weigh in on which of the listed projects they would like to see — renovations to recreation facilities, a possible new facility, a possible new library and a proposed cultural project facility. The survey will help the city set priorities and assess the community’s willingness to raise taxes to fund the projects.
The online survey will be open until March 8. As of now, no decision has been made to put a measure on the ballot in November, according to the survey.
Some voters may receive a text or an email with a link to the survey, according to a news release from the city of Longmont.
This isn’t the first time the city has asked for public input on these topics. Each has gone through various stages of inquiry and support both by the community and the city.
Longmont Public Library
In November, the Longmont City Council reviewed the second of two feasibility studies for the Longmont Public Library. The studies were conducted to explore the best funding mechanism for the library.
The second study laid out four options, two of which would keep the funding of the library where it currently is. The third option would increase services and funding at the library at a rate of 1.65 mills per $1,000 assessed value — about $57.39 on a $500,000 home. This option would keep the library within the city’s services.
The fourth option would form a separate library district with its own authority to levy property taxes. This option would need at least a mill levy rate of 4.11 mills per $1,000 assessed value — which equates to around $142.86 on a $500,000 home.
Both studies reported that the library has significant facility needs, including expansion and improvements.
The Longmont Library is 51,000 square feet and was built to support a population of 68,000 people. Longmont is expected to reach a population of 100,000 this year, according to city estimates.
The first study, conducted by Kimber Bolan Consultants, estimated that the library should be at least 85,000 square feet but a 100,000-square-foot building would accommodate Longmont’s future growth.
The survey asks if voters would approve a 30,000-square-foot library branch to be located at Dry Creek Park on Grandview Meadows Drive. The project is estimated to cost $22.7 million which would increase property taxes by 1.07 mills or $38 annually for a $500,000 home and it would increase sales taxes by 0.11%.
Longmont Performing Arts Center
The Longmont Performing Arts Initiative, or LPAI, is a creative group comprised of local performing arts nonprofits including, the Centennial State Ballet, Longmont Chorale, Longmont Concert Band, Longmont Symphony Orchestra, Longmont Youth Symphony and the Longs Peak Chorus.
This group came together in 2018 to ask the city to build a performing arts center in Longmont.
The group raised enough funds to conduct a feasibility study, which reported the project could be completed in two parts — the first would cost $104 million and the second $158 million in 2021. The report also estimated that the facility would attract $3.8 million in direct spending annually.
When the project was brought before the council, former Mayor Brian Bagley said the money to fund the project would be hard to find. However, Councilmember Tim Waters said, “I think it’s bold and big and dramatic … We want to differentiate ourselves from everybody else. I think this is a good place to start.”
These groups have used the Vance Brand Auditorium, located inside Skyline High School for past performances. However, according to the current spokesperson in favor of the project, Elliot Moore, it has been difficult to use the space as Skyline High School grows.
Earlier this month, Moore approached the city council proposing a public-private partnership and offered to raise $35 million in the next five years for the center in exchange for a city bond issuance of $45 million.
The survey asks residents if they would be willing to contribute to the $45 million which would raise property taxes by 2.12 mills or $76 annually for a $500,000 home and increase sales taxes by 0.06%.
If the idea were placed on the ballot, the taxes would not begin until the $35 million proposed by the nonprofit group was reached, according to the survey.
Recreation
The recreation facilities are aging. Centennial Pool opened in 1974 with a life expectancy of 40 years, it is almost 50 years old now. In 2018, it was closed for five months due to a pump failure that allowed water to flow into the mechanical space. A feasibility study conducted between 2015-2017 stated that fixing all the problems with the pool would cost $8.5 million.
In 2019, Longmont residents voted against a ballot measure that would bring a new 91,800-square-foot pool and ice center to Longmont. The cost then was estimated to be $40.6 million and would have needed an estimated $636,105 annually for operations.
The ballot measure failed by 8,428 votes out of 30,948.
The survey asks residents if they would vote for a 90,000 square foot facility to be located at Dry Creek Park on Grandview Meadows Drive at an estimated cost of $64 million. The cost to homeowners would be $108 annually for a $500,000 home or an increase of 3.01 mills and a 0.15% increase in sales tax.
“A new Recreation Center would include the following amenities: a new lap, therapy and leisure pool, fitness rooms, classrooms, gymnasium, child care, locker rooms, track, and a large community space,” the survey states.
Voters are also asked if they would be willing to help fund a 64,000 square foot expansion to the Longmont Museum and Cultural Center. The project is estimated to cost $19 million and would increase property taxes by 0.61 mills or $22 annually for a $500,000 home and it would increase sales taxes by 0.13%.
“A Museum and Culture Center Expansion would include the following amenities: renovation of courtyard outdoor concert and event space, new gallery space, and creation of a new children’s wing with a dedicated family-focused gallery,” the survey reads.
There are several other items for Longmont residents to weigh in on including changes to local parks and renovations to the Rec Center and Centennial Pool.
If locals want to approve all the projects listed it would cost an estimated $239.7 million and would increase property taxes by 11 mills or $395 annually for a $500,000 home. It would also increase local sales taxes by 0.55% or $0.55 cents per $100.
