News Flash

Durango, CO:  City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to move forward with a minor subdivision to divide 1235 and 1295 Camino del Rio into three lots for the future Durango Fire Protection District Station #2, Powerhouse Science Center, and city parks uses.

"This is very much needed in our community for our commitment to safety, security, and prosperity of the community," said Mayor Melissa Youssef. "This is just another step in the process to get us where we need to be." 

The fire district is moving forward with rebuilding River City Hall as an emergency response facility. Before building can begin the River City Hall property needs to be subdivided. Part of the subdivision includes naming the road where the Powerhouse and River City Hall are located. 

At the meeting council also:

• Congratulated students who participated in the Friends of the Library's annual bookmark contest. The winning bookmark designs will soon be available for purchase at the Durango Public Library.  
• Recognized the Reading Club of Durango as the 2023 Library Community Champion for the club's 141 years of support to the community and the Durango Public Library. 
• Approved the Twin Buttes Phase I Filing 4 Final Plat and authorize the mayor to sign the final plat mylar. Twin Buttes was originally approved in 2009 to be built in two phases, with multiple smaller filings in each phase. Phase 1 Filing 4 contains 29 single-family lots, seven common areas and two open space tracts. The finalization of the plat will allow the sale of the lots and housing construction.
• Received comments and discussed the city manager’s proposed budget for 2024. Discussion on the proposed budget began with the council's annual budget retreat Oct. 10. 
• Voted on a resolution directing the city manager to include funding for a full-time municipal court judge in the 2024 budget. Currently the budget for municipal court judge services is $94,783 annually. If approved the full-time budget for a judge would cost $130,000 for 2024.  
• Voted to accept staff recommendations for 11% of collected lodgers' tax that is specifically earmarked to be spent at the discretion of council to promote sustainable tourism for 2024. Suggested proposals for the 11% include free transit during the summer months, free parking spaces, and an e-bike rebate program among others.

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Media Contact
Tom Sluis
Public Information Officer 
Phone: (970) 375-5090
Email: Tom.Sluis@durangogov.org

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