The City of Grand Junction is excited to announce the opening of the west section of the dog park at Las Colonias. This new amenity gives the community another way to enjoy the developing area and is a wonderful addition to compliment the other features including the Riverfront Trail System, River Park, and the Butterfly and Las Colonias Ponds. The dog park is centrally located in the park and is easily accessible from the parking lot and the Riverfront Trail System.

The dog park is split into three sections with the west end being the first to open to the public. Dog Tuff™ Turf Grass was installed in the other two sections and will remain closed until summer of 2021 to give the grass time to grow and become established. The City of Grand Junction also offers two dog parks at Canyon View Park; the small/senior dog park and a section for large/active dogs. Earlier this summer, the small/senior dog park at Canyon View Park closed due to renovations and will not reopen until June 2021, so the Parks and Recreation Department is excited to offer the dog park at Las Colonias for the community to enjoy.

The City of Grand Junction requires dogs be leashed unless in a dog park. Picking up pet waste is also required, and the Parks & Recreation Department makes dog bags widely available at Las Colonias and throughout the other 35 developed parks in our community.

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Contact: Greg LeBlanc, Sr. Assistant to the City Manager 970-244-1557 or gregoryl@gjcity.org

The Summer Camp program provided by the Parks & Recreation Department has been extended through Friday, August 14. This change was made to accommodate the delay in school starting, recently announced by Mesa County Valley School District 51. The extension of summer camps is key for the many families who rely on community-based childcare options. 

The Summer Camp program began on June 15 after adaptation to public health guidelines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. City staff has worked closely with Mesa County Public Health to understand the pandemic and provide a safe environment for campers.

Each week this summer, over 250 campers at eight different sites (an average of 26 kids per site) enjoyed activities ranging from arts and craft projects, virtual field trips around the world to outdoor sports activities and games. The program implemented social distancing, masks on campers and staff, temperature checks, and additional cleaning measures, keeping kids in small groups for the entire camp. With these high standards and strict protocols in place, City staff successfully kept campers and staff safe and healthy all summer long.  With these measures, there were no instances of illness.

Although this year looked different than previous years, the Parks & Recreation Department was thrilled to be able to offer this service to the community. The benefits of fostering positive and healthy youth engagement in the midst of the pandemic, along with supporting working families that needed childcare in order to get back to work, have been critical as our community deals with the pandemic.

The City of Grand Junction’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Division is excited to announce the launch of a new Open Data Portal site. The portal provides a place for the public to access the city’s spatial data, with categories that include parks, infrastructure, safety, and transportation data. Please note this is not a replacement for the regular GIS maps – it is a platform where the public can view an assortment of GIS applications and dashboards as well as download GIS data in spreadsheet, KML or shapefile formats.

The portal is located on the city maps page next to the GIS maps.

If you have any questions, please contact the GIS Helpdesk at (970) 256-4070.

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Contact: Greg LeBlanc, Sr. Assistant to the City Manager 970-244-1557 or gregoryl@gjcity.org

City of Grand Junction Projects with Travel Restrictions

Waterline Replacement Project

• Elm Avenue – 18^th Street to 23^rd Street
• D Road – 10^th Street to 12^th Street
• Streets may be closed to thru traffic
• Detour routes will be in place
• Expect delays

Lunch Loop Trailhead Improvement Project

• Watch for shoulder work along Monument Road
• Watch for trucks turning off and onto Monument Road
• Be aware of reduced speed limit through work zone
• Minimal delays expected
• West bound bike lane (heading into the Monument) will remain open
• East bound bike lane will be closed (heading into town)

12th Street Fiber Optic Construction – Fire Station #6

• Shoulder work  along the west side of 12^th Street between Horizon Drive and Patterson Road.
• Please slow down through construction zone
• Delays will be minimal

Grand Avenue Between 9th Street and 10th Street – Safe Routes to School Project

• Grand Avenue west bound lane shift 24/7
• Both 9th Street and 10th Street will be closed at Grand Avenue
• Please slow down through construction zone

Dos Rios Bicycle Playground

• Minor construction activities have begun adjacent to the bicycle playground. Access to the bike park from Riverside Parkway will remain open
• Parking for the bicycle playground will be open, but the location will be moved to the north side of the bike park
• Expect continuous changes to the access and parking for the bike park throughout the rest of the summer months

Riverfront at Dos Rios Phase 2 Project (8/17/20 to 6/17/21)

• As of 7/29, minor construction activities have begun around the bicycle playground, but access to the bike park from Riverside Parkway will remain open during construction.
• Beginning on 7/29, the existing asphalt surface of Riverside Drive, south of Hale Avenue, has been removed permanently. No vehicle access shall be allowed south of Hale.
• The River Front Trail, south of Hale Avenue, shall remain open, but expect small detours around construction activities beginning August through September.

Non-City of Grand Junction Projects with Travel Restrictions

Orchard Avenue sewer line repair between 28 ¾ Road and 29 Road – Mesa County

• By use of flaggers, there will be alternating one lane traffic during work hours
• Alternate route advised
• Two lane traffic will be maintained at night and weekends

North Avenue Gas Line Replacement Project Phase 2, between 28 Road and 29 ¾ Road – CDOT

• Work hours – 8pm to 8am Sunday thru Thursday
• Expect lane closures and delays
• Alternate route advised

Sewer Line Rehabilitation Project – Clifton Sanitation District

• 31 ½ Road from F ½ Road to F Road
• F ½ Road from 31 to 31 ½ Road
• Expect delays
• Alternate route advised

Gas Line Relocation Project – Xcel Energy

• Rice Street is closed between Broadway and White Avenue
• Sheriff’s Department access is provided
• White Avenue will have alternating one lane traffic between Rice Street and N 1^st Street
• Alternate route advised

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Contact: Greg LeBlanc, Sr. Assistant to the City Manager 970-244-1557 or gregoryl@gjcity.org

For more detailed information on any of these items, read the full agendas and/or staff reports here. City Council meeting videos can also be found at the same link.

City Council will discuss the following items at this week’s meetings:

Monday, 8/3/20 – 5:30 p.m.    City Council Workshop City Hall Auditorium, 250 N. 5^th Street

Discussion Topics

a. Presentation and Discussion on the Draft Patterson Road Access Control Plan (20 minutes)

b. De-Brucing Discussion (20 minutes)

c. Tobacco & Vaping Discussion (20 minutes)

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Wednesday, 8/5/20 – 6:00 p.m.    City Council Meeting City Hall Auditorium, 250 N. 5^th Street

Presentations

2019 Auditor’s Report to City Council – Ty Holman, Haynie & Company

Appointments

To the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

To the Grand Junction Downtown Development Authority/Business Improvement District

REGULAR AGENDA

Public Hearings

4a. Legislative:

4ai. An Ordinance Expanding the Boundaries for the Downtown Grand Junction Business Improvement District to Include Property Known as 863 Colorado Avenue into the Boundaries of the Business Improvement District and an Ordinance Expanding the Boundaries for the Grand Junction, Colorado Downtown Development Authority to Include Property Known as 863 Colorado Avenue into the Boundaries of the Downtown Development Authority

4aii. An Ordinance for Supplemental Appropriations

4b. Quasi-judicial:

4bi. An Ordinance by the City of Grand Junction to Amend Ordinance No. 4929 Vacating Portions of Public Right-of-Way Within the Proposed Riverfront at Dos Rios Development

4bii. A Resolution to Approve a Service Plan for the Proposed West Junction Metropolitan District on 177 Acres Northwest of the Highway 6 and 50 and Patterson Road Intersection

4biii. An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 4938 Annexing Territory to the City of Grand Junction, Colorado for the Annexation Known as the Magnus Court Annexation of 45.543-Acres, Located at the West End of Magnus Court

The Pork and Hops Festival put on by the City of Grand Junction is an annual fall event attracting people from across the region and country. The festival includes live music, a corn-hole competition, and award-winning BBQ.

In the interest of public health and safety, the 2020 Pork and Hops Festival has been cancelled. The event was originally scheduled for September 11 & 12.

Based on guidance from Mesa County Public Health and the Governor on the COVID-19 pandemic, the City decided it would be best to eliminate the risk associated with large crowds congregating in a single location. We thank all the sponsors and partners who have helped make this event what it is and look forward to working with all of them in the future.

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Contact: Greg LeBlanc, Sr. Assistant to the City Manager 970-244-1557 or gregoryl@gjcity.org

City of Grand Junction Projects with Travel Restrictions

Waterline Replacement Project

• Construction will continue this week along 14^th Street between Ute Avenue and Pitkin Avenue
• Delays can be expected

Asphalt Overlay Program

Shouldering/Raising Manholes/ Raising Valve Boxes

• 27 Rd./B Rd Area
• Horizon Ave
• Centauri Dr Area
• G Rd Area
• 23 Rd
• Traffic Delays can be expected
• Rolling Lane Closures will be utilized

Lunch Loop Trailhead Improvement Project

• Watch for shoulder work along Monument Road
• Watch for trucks turning off and onto Monument Road
• Be aware of reduced speed limit through work zone
• Minimal delays expected
• West bound bike lane (heading into the Monument) will remain open
• East bound bike lane will be closed (heading into town)

12th Street Fiber Optic Construction – Fire Station #6

• Shoulder work  along the west side of 12^th Street between Horizon Drive and Patterson Road.
• Please slow down through construction zone
• Delays will be minimal

Grand Avenue Between 9th Street and 10th Street – Safe Routes to School Project

• Grand Avenue east bound lane shift 24/7
• Both 9th Street and 10th Street will be closed at Grand Avenue
• Please slow down through construction zone

Dos Rios Bicycle Playground

• Minor construction activities have begun adjacent to the bicycle playground. Access to the bike park from Riverside Parkway will remain open
• Parking for the bicycle playground will be open, but the location will be moved to the north side of the bike park
• Expect continuous changes to the access and parking for the bike park throughout the rest of the summer months

Riverfront at Dos Rios Phase 2 Project (8/17/20 to 6/17/21)

• As of 7/29, minor construction activities have begun around the bicycle playground, but access to the bike park from Riverside Parkway will remain open during construction.
• Beginning on 7/29, the existing asphalt surface of Riverside Drive, south of Hale Avenue, is being removed permanently. No vehicle access shall be allowed south of Hale.
• The River Front Trail, south of Hale Avenue, shall remain open, but expect small detours around construction activities beginning August through September.

 

Non-City of Grand Junction Projects with Travel Restrictions

Orchard Avenue sewer line repair between 28 ¾ Road and 29 Road – Mesa County

• By use of flaggers, there will be alternating one lane traffic during work hours
• Alternate route advised
• Two lane traffic will be maintained at night and weekends

North Avenue Gas Line Replacement Project Phase 2, between 28 Road and 29 ¾ Road – CDOT

• Work hours – 8pm to 8am Sunday thru Thursday
• Expect lane closures and delays
• Alternate route advised

Sewer Line Rehabilitation Project – Clifton Sanitation District

• 32 Road south of F Road to I-70B
• 31 ½ Road from F ½ Road to F Road
• Expect delays
• Alternate route advised

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Contact: Greg LeBlanc, Sr. Assistant to the City Manager 970-244-1557 or gregoryl@gjcity.org

The City of Grand Junction is committed to the safety and wellbeing of school-aged children. Since the school district changed the busing policy a few years ago, students have had to walk longer distances to school. The City has made a concerted effort to improve sidewalks and walking routes to get children to school safely. Since 2016, the City has invested over $700,000 in infrastructure that provides safe transportation corridors and amenities for students who walk or ride bicycles to school. More safety improvements are a part of the $50,000,000 the city is investing in transportation infrastructure over the next 5 years.

While the Federal Highway Administration working though the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) does have program dedicated to funding Safe Routes to Schools, there are many administrative challenges associated with the state program. The City instead prioritizes a portion of the federal Community Development Block Grant distribution it receives each year in creating its own Safe Routes to Schools program addressing issues perceived as barriers to making walking and bicycling to school a reality for more children in our community. Studies show that walking and bicycling reduce the risk of health problems in children such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

These improvements provide safer connections between neighborhoods and schools by adding sidewalks where there are none, constructing new crosswalks, shortening crossing distances by adding curb extensions (bulb outs), and building ramps to connect intersections to sidewalks.

The following is a list of projects completed by the City in the last five years:

2016 (Completed Projects)

• Westlake Park Pedestrian Improvements – $113,900

2017 (Completed Projects)

• Nisley Elementary Orchard Avenue Sidewalk from 29 Road to Melody Lane – $80,000
• El Poso Pedestrian Improvements – $52,000
• Bookcliff Middle School 29 1/4 Road sidewalk and crossings – $42,000 matched with dollars from Mesa County

2018 & 2019 (Projects under construction currently)

• Grand Avenue at 9th & 10th Streets pedestrian safety improvements – $72,700
• Pinyon Avenue Sidewalk from 13th Ave. to 15th Ave. – $60,000
• ADA improvements at City Hall and Tope Elementary School – $24,000
• B Road / Mesa View Elementary sidewalk from near Night Hawk Drive to school – $95,000
• B 1/2 & 27 1/2 Road intersection crossing and accessible ramps – $40,000
• Lorey Drive from Westlake Park to just west of 1st Street – $75,000

2020 (Projects scheduled for construction in summer 2021)

• Elm Avenue sidewalk from 28 to 28-1/4 Road – $120,000

For more information on safe routes to schools and other school transportation information, please visit the City’s website.

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Contact: Greg LeBlanc, Sr. Assistant to the City Manager 970-244-1557 or gregoryl@gjcity.org

The City of Grand Junction has responded to several recent incidents of vandalism in recent weeks. Most recently, the City was made aware of graffiti at the Eagle Rim Skate Park on Tuesday, July 28 by a concerned citizen. Once aware of the incident, the City dispatched a crew to remove the graffiti and clean up the site. This incident is being investigated by the Grand Junction Police Department.

Other recent vandalism includes:

• A memorial tree was destroyed near the entrance to the Lincoln Park Pool on Friday July 24.
• Canyon View Park saw major vandalism the weekend of July 17th and 18th with a door being kicked in and the restroom being vandalized.
• The loaner life jacket program constructed and donated by the Save a Life program at the River Park at Las Colonias, was vandalized twice within the past month.
• Several trees were destroyed with an ax at West Lake Park.

This type of behavior in our community is unacceptable. Leaving a City facility in poor condition shows disregard for a community asset and ultimately costs us all as taxpayers because of the resources needed to repair the damage.

We want to remind our community that emergencies should be reported by dialing 9-1-1 but also that non-emergencies can be reported through our non-emergency dispatch line at 970-242-6707. We all have a responsibility to keep our community as safe and desirable as we can. If you see something that could use attention, please let us know!

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Contact: Greg LeBlanc, Sr. Assistant to the City Manager 970-244-1557 or gregoryl@gjcity.org

City of Grand Junction Projects with Travel Restrictions

Waterline Replacement Project

• Construction will continue this week along 14^th Street between Ute Avenue and Pitkin Avenue
• Delays can be expected

2020 Asphalt Overlay Program

Shouldering/Raising Manholes/ Raising Valve Boxes

• 27 Rd./B Rd Area
• Horizon Ave
• Centauri Dr Area
• Interstate Ave Area
• 23 Rd

Asphalt Paving (Night Work)

• Colex Dr. area
• 22 Rd. area

Guardrail Replacement

• Mariposa Dr. and Ridges Blvd
• Traffic delays can be expected
• Rolling lane closures will be utilized

Lunch Loop Trailhead Improvement Project

• Watch for shoulder work along Monument Road
• Watch for trucks turning off and onto Monument Road
• Be aware of reduced speed limit through work zone
• Minimal delays expected
• West bound bike lane (heading into the Monument) will remain open
• East bound bike lane will be closed (heading into town)

Dos Rios Bicycle Playground

• The bicycle playground will be closed during the reconstruction, with no access from the River Front Trail
• Access to the Dos Rios Drive parking area off Riverside Parkway, will also be closed during construction.
• Anticipated Completion – Late July

12th Street Fiber Optic Construction – Fire Station #6

• Shoulder work  along the west side of 12^th Street between Horizon Drive and Patterson Road.
• Please slow down through construction zone
• Delays will be minimal

Grand Avenue Between 9th Street and 10th Street – Safe Routes to School Project

• Grand Avenue west bound lane shift 24/7
• Both north bound 9th Street and 10th Street will be closed at Grand Avenue
• Please slow down through construction zone

Non-City of Grand Junction Projects with Travel Restrictions

Orchard Avenue sewer line repair between 28 ¾ Road and 29 Road – Mesa County

• By use of flaggers, there will be alternating one lane traffic during work hours
• Alternate route advised
• Two lane traffic will be maintained at night and weekends

North Avenue Gas Line Replacement Project Phase 2, between 28 Road and 29 ¾ Road – CDOT

• Work hours – 8pm to 8am Sunday thru Thursday
• Expect lane closures and delays
• Alternate route advised

Sewer Line Rehabilitation Project on E ½ Road from 31 ½ Road to 31 ¾ Road – Clifton Sanitation District

• Expect lane closures this week on E ½ Road by Central High School
• Expect delays
• Alternate route advised

 E ½ Road between 32 Road and 32 ½ Road Utility Construction – Clifton Sanitation District

• Expect Delays
• Alternate route advised

22 Road and I Road Utility Construction – Ute Water

• The 22 and I Road intersection will be closed Monday thru Thursday
• Detour Route will be in place

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Contact: Greg LeBlanc, Sr. Assistant to the City Manager 970-244-1557 or gregoryl@gjcity.org