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Aurora staff outline plan to finish northwest alley paving; estimate ~$36 million
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Summary
Public works presented a shift from a lottery to needs-based alley selection and estimated paving all remaining northwest Aurora alleys could cost about $36,000,000, funded by a city program that currently contributes roughly $500,000 a year.
Cindy Collip, deputy director of project delivery for Aurora's Public Works Department, told the city's Transportation, Airports and Public Works Committee that the city could pursue a 10‑year effort to pave the remaining unpaved alleys in northwest Aurora at an estimated cost of about $36,000,000. Collip described a program shift from a neighborhood lottery to a needs‑based selection process that prioritizes maintenance needs, emergency access and code enforcement concerns.
"We really do know that we have alleys that have a need," Collip said, describing how public works, Aurora Police Department, code enforcement and fire operations now jointly recommend alleys for paving. She said the program originally identified more than 285 unpaved alleys, that crews have completed roughly 168 to date and that "almost 120" remain.
Collip outlined the program's funding history and current approach: community development block grant support and earlier city contributions ended in prior years, and the city now appropriates about $500,000 per year for alley paving, with that amount increasing 5% annually. "We don't have to go use consultants," she added, noting in‑house designers Zahara and Jana reduce costs and maximize construction dollars.
Under the revised approach, the department plans to select 3–4 alleys per year based on need, and also retain a small number of lottery‑selected alleys in order to preserve neighborhood participation. Collip pointed to examples where paving resolved business access and maintenance burdens — she cited a fitness center at 2246 Dayton whose alley (Alley Number 288) will be paved this year, reducing mud and cleaning costs.
Committee members asked whether homeowners associations or neighborhood groups contribute funding. Collip said, "It is city funded," and described planned public engagement if the city moves toward a broader alley‑paving program.
The presentation framed a multi‑year, phased option and a more accelerated 10‑year build as possibilities; Collip presented the $36,000,000 figure as a program‑wide estimate and said phasing would be considered. The committee did not take a formal vote; staff will return with further details and outreach plans if the committee directs additional action.
The meeting packet and staff will also include more concrete phasing, estimated annual budgets under different scenarios and outreach timelines if the council asks to advance the larger program.
