Sumac Avenue Homeowners Could Face Up to $90K Street Project Costs

[00:00:00]Imagine getting a notice that says you might owe up to $90,000.

[00:00:04]Not for a kitchen remodel, not for college tuition, [music] but for your street. That's what some homeowners on Sumac Avenue in Boulder are fighting right now. Here's what's happening.

[00:00:15]Sumac Avenue is in rough shape.

[00:00:17]Residents agree the road needs repairs, potholes, drainage issues, the whole [music] thing. But the city of Boulder is proposing a much bigger street project, pavement reconstruction, drainage, curbs, crossings, [music] and an 8- to 10-foot sidewalk. The total price tag, >> [music] >> about $8.4 million.

[00:00:36]The city would collect around $1.8 million from 52 property owners along [music] the street. That means some homeowners could be charged tens of thousands of dollars >> [music] >> with newer projections reportedly capped around $90,000.

[00:00:50]Residents say, "Wait a second, this is a public road. People use it to get around North Boulder, including routes near Wonderland Lake and Crestview Elementary."

[00:01:00]So, why should the neighbors along the road pay such a huge chunk?

[00:01:04]The city's argument is that these properties get a special benefit from the improvements.

[00:01:08]>> [music] >> There are also decades-old annexation agreements from when the area joined the city, saying owners would help pay for future street upgrades. [music] But many current residents say they didn't know about those agreements when they bought their homes, >> [music] >> and they definitely didn't agree to this version of the project. Now the decision heads to Boulder City Council, but a planned vote was postponed while city staff do more analysis.

[00:01:32]So, the big question is, should homeowners have to pay tens of thousands for a public street project, [music] or should that come from city funds?

[00:01:40]Comment what you think.

[00:01:42]>> Boulder [music] City Council