It should come as no surprise that examining the economic
outlook for 2010 will be the focus of Littleton City Council’s
annual workshop next year.
Council is planning to hold the workshop Feb. 19 at the
Littleton Historical Museum starting at 8 a.m.
By the date of the workshop in February, staff should have at
least preliminary numbers for the year-end revenues, which includes
holiday sales, according to council communication.
“There may have also been either success of failure on important
federal initiatives like health care reform legislation and the
military strategy in Afghanistan that may have significant economic
impacts,” city officials said.
Council will discuss with staff the accuracy of the revenue
projections that were made in August for 2010 and any potential
adjustments to city expenditures that may be required.
Councilmembers will also discuss Littleton’s economic
development and communication with businesses — a recommendation
made by new District 3 representative Phil Cernanec.
Councilmember Jim Taylor asked staff to review economic
information from Sterling Ranch and the impact on Littleton.
The feasibility of renovating the “Sternberg” building at 2009
W. Littleton Blvd also made the list of topics for the 2010
workshop.
The city has owned the Sternberg building since 1999 when the
courthouse/jail property was acquired from Arapahoe County. The
building has been vacant since that time.
Sternberg is a non-performing asset for the city, and staff
would like to present a few options for renovating and using it to
meet some of the city’s unmet space needs.
There has been a preliminary architectural and engineering
assessment performed and research completed on the historic
significance of the building.
While staff would not normally suggest a street project as a
topic for a council workshop, the proposed rebuild of Rio Grande
Avenue would require the designation of the entire street budget
for 2010.
“This is a significant undertaking and we believe that the
council should be aware of other projects that would need to be
deferred,” staff said to Council in their communication.
There are also commitments with Arapahoe County and the Regal
Plastics Company that need to be considered.
Council did consider televising the workshop but the Community
Room at the City Center may not accommodate enough people who want
to attend.
