Finance and Business Committee Meeting – July 16, 2026

This meeting of the Denver City Council’s Finance and Business Committee, chaired by Councilwoman Sedana Gonzalez Gutierrez, covered three major agenda items: a property tax exemption request for the Broadway Bark dog park, three private activity bond (PAB) actions, and the proposed acquisition of 1028 Acoma Street for a new park. Public testimony was taken only on the tax exemption. The committee voted on each item, forwarding recommendations to the full council.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Caitlin Braun (Executive Director, Broadway General Improvement District; Baker resident): Expressed the board’s unanimous support for the exemption. Praised the park as a deliberate community investment that improved safety and social connections in the area, and urged council to streamline future exemption processes.
• Dan Cohen (broadway Park Metro District board member and property owner): Asked council to reinstate the exemption, noting that without it the park cannot operate. He criticized the city’s “political hearing” process and requested an administrative pathway for future exemptions with clear criteria.
• Valerie Wilson (adjacent resident): Described how the dog park provides essential exercise for her dog and created a supportive community that helped her feel connected in a costly city. Pleaded with council to preserve the park.
• Janet Namcung (daily user): Emphasized the park’s role as “community infrastructure” and stated that 1,700 people signed a petition in weeks in support. She cited data that Denver has more dogs than children (160,000 dogs vs. 140,000 children) and only 13 off‑leash parks concentrated in the north, leaving South Denver underserved.
• Jordan Bentley (virtual, resident seven minutes away): Shared how the park helped him build a professional network and called it a unique “third space” that fosters community.
• Sarah Guthrie (resident of adjacent apartment complex): Moved there because of the dog park; described how community members helped her train her dogs and provided support during a health emergency. Asked council to affirm the exemption.

Discussion Items

1. Property Tax Exemption – Broadway Bark Dog Park (363 South Broadway)

Staff from the Denver County Assessor’s Office presented House Bill 25‑1289, which requires city council to determine whether property leased to a metropolitan district is used for a public purpose. The parcel (0.4 acres, actual value $4,110,100) is leased to Broadway Park Metro District No. 1 for $1/year. The tax exemption would total just over $160,000 (including $88,000 in Denver Mills and $71,840 in metro district mills). The lease term is year‑to‑year. Board members disclosed a conflict of interest as owners of the underlying property. Council members discussed the park’s hours (8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week) and its long‑term viability (development possible in 5–10 years). Council President Sandoval stated she would vote “no” because of the budget deficit and precedent of lost revenue. Chair Gonzalez Gutierrez expressed concerns about the metro district financing model and whether the park could exist without the exemption. The committee voted to send a recommendation of approval to the full council.

2. Private Activity Bonds (PABs) – Carry Forward and Inducement Resolutions

Finance analyst Dennis Wujenick presented three actions bundled together:

• Carry Forward Resolution (26‑0996): Approves carrying forward $49 million in unused 2026 PAB capacity to future years.
• Lincoln Pen Inducement (26‑0998): Reserves up to $19.4 million in PABs for a new 149‑unit transit‑oriented affordable housing development at Fox Street and 42nd Avenue (Council District 9). Units range from studios to three‑bedrooms, with average AMI of 60%.
• Green Valley Vistas Inducement (26‑0997): Reserves up to $27 million for a 156‑unit affordable housing project at Tower Road and East 50th Avenue (Council District 11). Includes a 5,700‑sq‑ft early childhood education center. Average AMI of 54%. Councilwoman Gilmore (absent) expressed support for this project. Council President Sandoval asked about trip count allocations for the Lincoln Pen site; the developer agreed to provide trip count details before full council. The committee approved the block motion without a roll‑call vote.

3. Park Acquisition – 1028 Acoma Street

Parks and Recreation staff presented plans to purchase a 0.4‑acre parcel with an existing credit union building for $2,999,340 (appraised at ~$2.49 million, $500,000 over appraisal). The acquisition would be funded by the Parks Legacy Fund. The site would fill a 10‑minute walk gap in the downtown Civic Center neighborhood, serving an estimated 10,000 households (more than all previous park acquisitions combined since 2019 provided access to 9,600 households). The existing building could be used temporarily by forestry or operations. Council members questioned the above‑appraisal cost, equity across districts (District 7 has seen no legacy fund park investment), and future development funding. Chair Gonzalez Gutierrez expressed concerns about paying over appraisal and overall city finances but allowed the motion to proceed. The committee voted to forward both the purchase resolution and the companion appropriation ordinance to full council without a roll‑call vote.

Key Outcomes

• Broadway Bark Tax Exemption: Motion to approve with a recommendation of “approve” passed 3‑2. Voting in favor: Councilman Cashman, Councilwoman Romero Campbell, and Councilman Watson. Voting against: Council President Sandoval and Chair Gonzalez Gutierrez. The item will go to full council for a final decision.
• Private Activity Bonds: The carry forward, Lincoln Pen inducement, and Green Valley Vistas inducement were all approved as a block. No roll‑call was requested; the motion passed unanimously among committee members present. These items will go to full council for first reading on July 27, 2026.
• 1028 Acoma Street Park Acquisition: The purchase and sale agreement and the companion appropriation ordinance were approved for forwarding to full council. No roll‑call was requested. The sale closing is targeted for September 30, 2026, with community visioning to begin in Q1 2028.