Several 25 Road business owners want voters to reject Westside Beltway ballot measure

Several 25 Road business owners want voters 
to reject Westside Beltway ballot measure 

Several 25 Road business owners want voters 
to reject Westside Beltway ballot measure

A group of business owners on 25 Road who are not in favor of the city of Grand Junction’s plans to widen the road meet at The Foreign Aid, 574 25 Road, Suite B. Ballot measure 2B in the April 7 election asks voters to extend Riverside Parkway to the I-70 interchange.

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QUICKREAD

BUSINESS OWNERS 
FACE DISRUPTIONS
Several 25 Road business owners are concerned about the Westside Beltway project awaiting voter approval in the April 7 municipal election. Many complained the city should have provided them with more information before ballot measure 2B was announced. They include:
■ Tom Kucel of Heigel & Kucel
■ Steve Stewart of The Foreign Aid
■ Tyler Reihl of Rocky Mountain Promotional Products and Apparel
■ Daryn McCallum of Batteries Plus
■ Andrew Walters of Canvas Products
■ Dana Current of Superior Body Shop
■ Mike Ford of Fasteners Incorporated
■ David Burtard of West Park Truck Equipment
■ Dr. Dominic Carrica of Adobe Animal Clinic

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By Greg Ruland
Saturday, March 28, 2015

City officials with a vision for the Westside Beltway are blind to the financial havoc it would cause, several 25 Road business owners contend.
Ballot measure 2B asks voters in the April 7 municipal election, happening now via mail, to approve $14.5 million in new debt to pay for the extension of Riverside Parkway to the I-70 Interchange.
One phase of the project calls for widening 25 Road from U.S. Highway 6&50 to F 1/2 Road, a route roughly one mile long that gives about 15,000 vehicles access to dozens of businesses each day, city officials said.
Several concerned business owners voiced opposition to the route during a meeting last week at The Foreign Aid, a European import repair shop at 574 25 Road.
In a telephone interview the day before that meeting, Grand Junction City Councilman Jim Doody said the city favors the ballot measure because it is consistent with the city’s vision for future development.
It also furthers the city’s primary mission, which is to build infrastructure like roads that expand entrepreneurial opportunity and improve quality of life, Doody said.
“The vision is to put a loop around the city so that people and commerce can move throughout the city quicker and with less congestion,” he said.
Opponents said the proposed route doesn’t match the vision.
In a best case scenario, the extension might temporarily alleviate traffic congestion on 25 Road, but only for a short time. Also, the $14.5 million estimated cost is far too low, they said.
“Council members admitted during a ... meeting (March 17) that cost estimates ... were not thoroughly researched and therefore subject to change,” said Steve Stewart, owner of The Foreign Aid.
“Really? Another Riverside Parkway?” Stewart asked. “Without accurate numbers how do you honestly sell a project of this size to the taxpayers?”
Cost estimates are complete, but planners haven’t begun designing the project, said Tim Moore, deputy city manager. Detailed plans must wait for voters to approve new debt.