10 hours Ago
A new ballot measure petition, “Pearl for You,” has recently been approved for signature-gathering in the City of Boulder. The intent of the ballot measure is to close vehicle traffic on Pearl Street between 9th and 11th Streets and on the adjoining section of 10th Street to support public use, outdoor dining and street activations, including art installations, green spaces and community activities. The petition must receive 3,401 validated signatures by May 28 in order to be placed on Boulder’s November ballot.
This two-block area was closed to traffic as a trial during the COVID-19 pandemic, and ballot sponsors say they loved the uniqueness of a free-form space that was solely for humans. I do remember riding my bike or walking in the warm months to the area and dining at several restaurants and coffee shops offering meal service in their modified outdoor seating. However, even after the pandemic was done in 2022 and the street was still closed, I also remember times when there were no people in an empty street, crumbling sidewalks, dying trees and empty storefronts.
I wondered how the local businesses would survive. After studying economic impacts and hearing public and local business feedback, the city decided in September 2022 to re-open the area to parking and car traffic. This caused consternation to some urban advocates, but a sigh of relief to local restaurants and shops.
Evidently, since that decision was made, foot traffic has increased, empty storefronts have filled up and business revenues have improved. Another concern, for me, is the recent direction of citizen-led ballot measures. I’ve been an advocate and a leader on two ballot measures in the past five years.
But, ballot measures like this one attempt to put land use decisions into the hands of voters, with little thought towards funding, execution or downsides. Last year’s ballot measures to close the Boulder airport to build “affordable housing” is a prime example: an unfunded mandate to close the airport with no consideration of legal, economic or financial risks and absolutely no concern about airport users or tenants. “Pearl for You” is another land use issue with little consideration given to the same issues.
How much would it cost to close these two blocks to traffic and re-create a closed mall? (I’ve heard estimates of $10 million-plus due to costs of construction, soft costs, etc.) What about the economic impact of the loss of parking places, a major revenue generator for the City? Would this increase business for the local coffee shops, restaurants and retail establishments, or would it cause further deterioration in the economic vitality of the area? Evidently, a vast majority of the local businesses are against this effort, so the economics and risk must be clear to business owners. The Downtown Boulder Partnership, representing the downtown business district, and the Boulder Chamber are also against this initiative.
For that reason alone, I would not sign the petition. Hasn’t it been a difficult enough decade for our local businesses and shop owners ..
. with a pandemic, changes in workplace and shopping habits and inflation? Let’s not put the final nail in the coffin for our beloved local businesses. I, like many others in Boulder, have often signed a petition, thinking that the voters should decide.
But, my thinking has evolved. It’s important to actually check out the facts BEFORE signing a petition. Something that sounds fun and exciting might just be another shiny pearl, to be chased unnecessarily.
If this ballot measure passed, it would require planning, design, construction and City Capital Improvement Project funding. This project could take money and resources away from other city priorities, like the ongoing Alpine-Balsam project, the Civic Center redesign or even a potential South Boulder recreation center. But the ballot measure doesn’t give voters an either/or choice .
.. it just mandates that the project get done.
And, the city is not known for doing projects quickly or cost-efficiently. I am an urbanist, a bike advocate, and I walk and bike as often as the weather allows it. I love our downtown area, including West Pearl, and I shop and eat locally to support our local businesses.
I support voter-initiated ballot measures ...
but only if they are realistic and funded. While the petitioners may have good intentions, the risk to our businesses is too great, and the budget is unknown. The City has many priorities more urgent than this one.
Bettina Swigger’s pearl of wisdom in this same newspaper says Pearl is already “for me.” I agree, so I won’t sign this petition. Jan Burton is a former Boulder City Council member and sits on the Board of Create Boulder.
She is writing in her personal capacity..
