MORE ELECTION NEWS
| What in your background makes you qualified for office? | |
| Over the past decade, I have dedicated my time to serving the community of Arvada through my active involvement on various boards and commissions. This consistent commitment sets me apart as a candidate who has continuously worked towards the betterment of our city. I am a LEED Accredited Professional who specializes in the design and implementation of sustainable development and infrastructure investment. My experience in delivering real projects that have a positive impact on the planet and people’s lives is something City Council has never had and is needed to ensure future land use decisions are well-informed. As an example, I was the project manager for the Sloans Lake Redevelopment, which was the highest-scoring LEED ND Gold project in the State and provided a number of other benefits to nearby residents and attracts visitors from the Metro Area with the Alamo Draft house. The project also was a pilot for new green infrastructure details that have since become standard practice for many Front Range Cities. As a Planning Commissioner and licensed Landscape Architect I have advocated for more trees, waterwise landscaping, reduced pavement, and increased urban permeability to mitigate heat island, poor runoff quality, and thermal comfort. My experience in land use and zone decisions is unmatched within the field and will be a historic asset to Council and the City. | |
| What elements would you like to see included in the Olde Town Arvada Reimagined 20-Year Plan? Would you like to see the street closures changed/altered? | |
| As a designer of public spaces, I knew the pandemic would have a long-term effect on our appreciation for local, well amenitized spaces. Olde Town Arvada is an exceptional asset that plays a crucial role in our economy and identity. When the pandemic began, as people were confined to their homes, public spaces became highly prized escapes. As a nearby resident, I wanted to help keep Olde Town in business so I collaborated with Lisa Smith, my neighbor and council member-at-large, we built warming huts in my driveway and distributed homemade hand sanitizer to the Olde Town Business Improvement District (BID). I continued to offer my design expertise to the Olde Town BID to continue developing improvements for the street closures and have since become a member of their board of directors. Looking ahead to the 20-year vision, I believe it is crucial to place additional emphasis on improving the tree canopy, enhancing accessibility for elderly and disabled individuals, fostering activation efforts, and increasing support and security for local businesses. We must address homelessness in Olde Town and allocate more resources and immediate attention to this issue as business owners have expressed significant concerns. As an advocate for effective urban design, I propose implementing a hybrid vehicle access model for Olde Wadsworth that ensures smoother circulation during weekdays while still allowing street closures for special events or weekend crowds. Promoting good urban design will result in vibrant pedestrian activity centers that discourage negative behavior and encampments. | |
| What areas of Arvada’s infrastructure do you believe need the most immediate attention? | |
| Traffic and roadway conditions in Arvada are in desperate need of attention. Currently, 70% of our roads score a (poor) or (failure) in the Pavement Quality Index (PQI). We need an estimated 200 million dollars to fix the roads and our annual pavement budget is only 15 million. Traffic is heavily impacted by the fact that Arvada uses manually timed lights, instead of smart or sensor-based signals. How many times have you felt like you caught every light on 64th Ave? or Wadsworth Blvd? Fixing the roads and integrating sensor-based signals are not cheap solutions, but these are critical fixes that need to be addressed to catch up with development and our population growth. District 2 is home to the busiest intersection in the state (52nd and Wadsworth) traffic is a big deal in Arvada and we need to get on top of it immediately. With my background in transportation and multimodal design, I have a unique understanding of how federal and state funding or municipal bonding initiatives can be utilized to address these big infrastructure costs. Currently, I am leading the Transportation Systems Plan for the City of Arvada, part of my team’s scope is to identify funding scenarios for the City and explore critical transportation deficiencies that require near and long-term solutions. I look forward to bringing these needed insights and skills to City Council. | |
| What role do you believe the City of Arvada should fill in providing resources for individuals experiencing homelessness? | |
| In this complex situation, it is essential to engage in a trade-off negotiation involving multiple jurisdictions, law enforcement, businesses, the homeless population, and the public. Many individuals experiencing homelessness want assistance and support. To effectively address their needs, it is crucial to establish seamless connections between these individuals and various mission-driven entities that offer wrap-around support services. These entities include nonprofit organizations, volunteer networks, religious groups, and Arvada’s housing navigation program. With my leadership on City Council we can achieve these goals and support law enforcement in clearing public spaces and upholding public safety standards throughout the city. Homelessness is a spectrum and housing affordability continues to push people into tough situations. As an experienced design professional, I have successfully implemented affordable housing projects. As Chair of the Planning Commission, I recently voted to approve four new affordable housing projects in Arvada. One of them is fixed at 30% AMI (Area Median Income) helping those at most risk. The other projects are aimed at supporting blue-collar workers, teachers, and first responders with household incomes ranging from 60-80% AMI. Financing for these projects is made possible through Arvada’s Urban Renewal Authority and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credits programs. It is important to recognize housing insecurity is a regional issue that requires collaboration with neighboring cities. When I am on Council, Arvada and the surrounding Metro area can count on an advocate who will take decisive and fiscally responsible actions to combat homelessness. | |
| How would you like to see the last stages of Candelas’ development proceed? What needs do you believe still need to be filled in the West side of town? | |
| Candelas is nearing completion, revealing its stunning open spaces, breathtaking views, and beautifully crafted homes. However, the lack of housing diversity, dining options, entertainment venues, commercial real estate, and mixed-use developments has put a burden on the limited access roads to and from the community. This situation is simply unsustainable in the long run and compels residents to heavily rely on private transportation for even the simplest tasks. During my tenure in the Planning Commission, I have been an unwavering advocate for introducing a wide range of housing options in Candelas and throughout West Arvada. Countless residents I have engaged with in West Arvada share their frustration over traffic congestion and lack of shopping and dining destinations. Recently, I granted approval for a groundbreaking project at 93rd and McIntyre Pkwy that boasts a combination of residential townhomes and condos accompanied by ground-floor retail shops and commercial office space – an unprecedented addition to the Candelas development reminiscent of the charming Five Parks community just a few miles East. The Comprehensive Plan is due for reassessment in 2024, and as your sole council member with expertise in land use planning, I will collaborate closely with planning staff to ensure that West Arvada retains its designation for mixed-use zoning which bolsters its commercial sector. Addressing infrastructure inadequacies in West Arvada is also of paramount importance to enhance connectivity not only within East Arvada but also towards other key regional destinations via the G-Line. |