Golden City Council discussed two major community issues on Nov. 7. The issues concern 311 10th St., which is a property located in Goosetown that the city recently purchased from MillerCoors, and the sale of tobacco and vape products in Golden.
No decisions were made, but here is an update on the two issues:
Tobacco products
Golden is considering an ordinance that would change regulations on tobacco sales in the city in three primary ways — 1) raise the age to purchase tobacco products to 21, 2) require local licensing for tobacco retailers, and 3) ban all flavored tobacco or vaping products.
A public hearing will take place on Dec. 12, and city council is expected to vote on the matter on that date.
City council would like to hear from the community on the matter, especially two stakeholders any proposed ordinance would affect. The first are tobacco retailers so city council can hear about how any proposed law would affect them. The second are community youth so city council can learn first-hand from Golden high-and-middle schoolers how use of tobacco and/or vaping affects the local communities.
Anybody can address city council during the public hearing on the matter during the regular meeting on Dec. 12, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. and takes place in City Council Chambers in Golden city hall, 911 10th St. in downtown Golden. For those who cannot attend the meeting, public comment is also welcomed via email. Contact information for all city councilmembers can be found on the city's website: https://www.cityofgolden.net/government/city-council/council-members-commentaries/.
311 10th Street
The city has recently purchased a building located at 311 10th St., in an area commonly known as Goosetown, from MillerCoors. The building is 160,000 square feet and the purchase includes the surrounding 7.2 acres of land.
It was originally envisioned that the building could serve the community as a civic center, which would house government offices and other public and not-for-profit cultural entities.
The latest discussion occurred during a study session on Nov. 7. No decisions are final, however, costs to renovate the building to become a civic center may be too costly and city council discussed demolishing the building.
The city will still put the land to some use, as the location — in the Clear Creek Corridor — is prime for community/municipal uses. Funding for a new civic center would need approval by the voters. The city will begin its community engagement in the near future, possibly as early as January or February 2020.
