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Pueblo City Council approves package of transfers and projects, including Pope Block and Greyhound Park demolition assistance
Summary
At its Oct. 27 meeting the council approved multiple resolutions and ordinances: transfers to building upkeep and parks, $750,000 for Pope Block maintenance, $500,000 to incentivize Greyhound Park demolition, an $8 million initial appropriation for Saint Charles Industrial Park infrastructure, and several smaller grants and leases.
The Pueblo City Council on Oct. 27 approved a series of financial and project actions during a long meeting that combined routine consent items and several contentious regular-agenda votes.
Key approvals
- Transfer to building upkeep (M1): Council authorized $400,000 from the half-cent sales and use tax capital improvement fund to project EDBLDG for upkeep and maintenance of buildings held for job-creating capital projects. Staff noted the transfer excludes the Pope Block project. Vote: 7-0.
- Park project transfer (M2): Council approved transferring $400,000 from LT2408 (Eagle Ridge Park construction) to LT2503 (Ray Aguilar Park perimeter) and awarded a $380,883.35 contract to Acorn Construction Company with contingencies; the measure passed 6-1 (Maestri opposed) after debate about impacts on Eagle Ridge Park residents and park-ranger coverage.
- Pope Block maintenance (Q3 / ED0801): Council approved placing $750,000 into project ED0801 for maintenance and HVAC/repairs to the Pope Block. Council discussed whether the city should retain or sell the property and asked staff to retain a small portion for city data-center access in any sale. Vote: 6-1 (Maestri opposed).
- Greyhound Park blight removal (Q4 / CI2521): Council appropriated $500,000 from ARPA interest into a new project intended to incentivize demolition of the former Greyhound Park structures; staff said demolition quotes were about $600,000 and that Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority proposed to reimburse $216,000 in 2026 if approved by its board. Staff emphasized that funds would be retained in an account and no money would be spent until a development agreement with timeline conditions is approved by council. Vote: 5-2.
- Saint Charles Industrial Park infrastructure (S6 / ED2503): Council established project ED2503 and transferred $8,000,000 from unappropriated half-cent sales tax funds to the project for design and initial construction of wastewater, lift station and Lime Road realignment work. Staff said the $8 million represents roughly 20% of a high-end $40 million total estimate. Council highlighted the urgency for Project Falcon and other prospects; vote recorded as unanimous in transcript.
- Grants and smaller appropriations: Council approved a $100,000 eviction prevention agreement using previously budgeted CDBG-CV funds; a $50,000 small-business window-repair mini-grant program funded from ARPA interest; acceptance of a $36,000 CDOT grant for speed enforcement (PS2508); certification of the abatement assessment roll (approx. $280,000 this year); and several property and lease actions including a TrustWorks rail-access license and a Publicplex sublease for impounded-vehicle storage.
Procedure and safeguards: Several councilors asked that development agreements attach clear timelines and performance conditions before funds are disbursed. Staff repeatedly assured the council that money placed in accounts would not be released until formal agreements were presented to and approved by council.
What this means: The approvals represent a mix of immediate maintenance needs, incentives to clear blight ahead of private redevelopment, investments in industrial infrastructure intended to attract large employers and smaller community grants aimed at quality-of-life improvements. Several votes were narrow and accompanied by requests for additional documentation and performance guarantees before final expenditures occur.
Votes at a glance (selected)
- M1 transfer $400,000 (EDBLDG): Passed 7-0 - M2 transfer $400,000 (Eagle Ridge -> Ray Aguilar park): Passed 6-1 - Q3 Pope Block $750,000 (ED0801): Passed 6-1 - Q4 Greyhound Park $500,000 (CI2521): Passed 5-2 - S1 Eviction prevention $100,000 (CDBG-CV): Passed 7-0 - S2 Small business window repair $50,000 (ARPA interest): Passed 7-0 - S3 CDOT ACE grant $36,000: Passed 7-0 - S6 Saint Charles initial appropriation $8,000,000: Passed (unanimous as recorded)
Next steps: For projects tied to private redevelopment (Pope Block, Greyhound Park), staff said development agreements with explicit timelines and conditions will be brought to council for ordinance approval before any funds are disbursed.
