Economic Development in Eagle, CO: A Riverfront Park and Whitewater Play Area

A sure way to turn out the vote in Eagle, Colorado: hold an election asking for a new sales tax to fund a whitewater play park on the local river. Voters overwhelmingly supported the project.

April 9, 2016, 1pm PDT | James Brasuell | @CasualBrasuell

"Eagle residents overwhelmingly approved a sales tax increase to fund a river park project in a record-turnout election for the town," according to an article by Jason Blevins.

"The 20-year, half-percent sales tax increase to 4.5 percent will spark development of a $12 million riverpark project designed to transform a dirt parking lot used by truckers into a gateway for the growing town," reports Blevins.

The park will include a "whitewater park for kayakers and stand-up paddlers and terraced fields designed to lure passersby off Interstate 70 and into town." Local officials are also hoping the new park "spurs mixed-use development on private land between the park and Eagle's historic downtown."

Additional local coverage of the vote by John Laconte notes the 2-1 ratio of approval for the park and includes some renderings of the expected layout of the Eagle River Park.

Full Story:

Eagle approves sales tax for river park project

Published on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 in The Denver Post