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Every summer the Mayor of Bennett presents the State of the Town at the annual State of the Town Luncheon. This presentation captures a summary of all of the work accomplished in the past year as well as the plans for the Town in the near future.
The 2017 State of the Town was held on July 21, 2017.
This year the Town of Bennett focused on three big goals for the Town. Those are Clean Up, Finish Up and Build Up. Read more about each goal below:
Clean Up
This year the Town focused on four major areas of clean up.
WATCH: Clean Up in Bennett
The Corridor of Honor Military Memorial
In 2014, Bennett honored veterans and current military, for their service and sacrifice at the Corridor of Honor Military Memorial. Located in the heart of Civic Center Park, the memorial is a place where friends and family, who reside along the I-70 corridor and throughout the region, can reflect on those who have given so much for our country. This timeless memorial is exposed to the harsh weather of the eastern plains, and requires diligent and dedicated attention to preserve its condition. As part of Bennett’s ongoing commitment by town staff, members of the community, family and friends, clean up of this memorial is a sense of pride and a way to thank and honor to those who have served.
Read more about the Corridor of Honor Military Memorial here.
Tree Replacement at Cordella Estates
The harsh climate of the eastern planes can often wreak havoc on landscaping and trees. Such was the plight of dying trees along the right of way in Cordella Estates. The town, in partnership with Colorado State University’s Extension office determined that a different tree species could survive these elements. In a cooperative effort between the Town and the neighborhood, it was determined by replacing these trees, the result would bring beautification, pride, and value to this neighborhood.
Community Center
Wherever there is activity, clean up always follows! One of the most active places in Town is the Bennett Community Center. Originally donated to the Town by the Bowman family in 1988, this center serves as a major hub to many organizations and including the Bennett Community Food Bank, Calvary Chapel Bennett Church, the Bennett Boy Scouts and Girl Scout packs, Bennett Tae Kwon Do, Prairie Stars Square Dance Club, Antelope Crossing 4-H Club, Young at Heart Seniors and local Lion’s Club and Tri-County Health WIC program and visiting nurses.
With amount of use, it generates a great need for cleanup. This year the Bennett community provided, a fresh coat of interior paint, an audio and visual equipment, an exterior facade upgrades, and upgraded parking lot lighting.
Records Retention
Finally, who doesn’t love a good clean effort of files and records of important information. This year, the Town was awarded a micro grant in the amount of $5,000 from the State Internet Portal Authority (SIPA), to be used for a records retention project, enabling staff to transition from a paper filing retention system to an electric filing retention system.
Finish Up
Making the time to finish up is a key component of a successful project. This year, the Town has focused effort to finish up with several projects.
WATCH: Finish Up in Bennett
County Shared Services Center
The County Shared Services Center opened for business on December 5th, 2016. This building an expanded motor vehicle office, county elections, sheriff’s office and temporary space for limited Town services. This new facility would not have been possible without the funding support of an Energy and Mineral Impact Grant awarded to the Town of Bennett from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and contributions from the Adams County Sherriff Department.
More information about the County Shared Services Center can be found online here.
Elevated Water Storage Tank
On July 19th, 2016 the Town broke ground on the new elevated water storage tank. This is groundbreaking represents a major capital improvement Bennett.
The new storage tank heralds a significant improvement to the availability, reliability, and water quality of the water supply. The tank will also significantly reduce the risk of water supply outages. It will improve reliable water pressure to homes and businesses, as well as enhanced fire protection for the Bennett community. The tank will be visible from miles away, proudly serving as a new beacon of pride and progress.
In addition, the Town re-drilled two wells, in anticipation of the decommissioning of one well. These wells are imperative to the City’s continued water supply and will serve the needs of future development in Bennett.
More information on the Elevated Water Storage Tank can be found here.
Roadway Improvements
Following voter approach of the Street Improvement Plan in November 2015, construction was underway for many of the neighborhood street in Bennett. This was one of the Town’s single largest capital improvement projects in it’s history. These improvements will finish up with the completion of the Kiowa/Bennett Road and reconstruction of six major intersections connecting Town roads with State Hwy 79 and 36.
More information on the Road Reconstruction Project can be found here.
Build Up
Building up Bennett is more than construction, assemblage and raising structures. For Town leadership, businesses and residents, it is a vision completed before your eyes.
WATCH: Build Up in Bennett
Waste Water Treatment Facility
In 2014, the town received notice that a fully functioning waste water treatment facility was needed in Bennett by October 2019. Bennett quickly jumped into planning, design and funding discussions of a Waste Water Treatment Facility to meet this date. The Town has been very fortunate to be the recipient of both State and Federal funding for this facility. The result was a ground breaking of the new Waste Water Treatment facility on June 15, 2017, which will build up Bennett’s ability to service both businesses and residents well into the future.
Find more information about the new Waste Water Treatment Facility here.
BRPOS Shelter and Trails
In 2013, Bennett’s comprehensive plan achieved two new milestones:
In partnership with Arapahoe County Open Space, the town re-purposed it as the Bennett Regional Park and Open Space. To further these efforts, the town improved trail and constructed a covered pavilion. Because of the generous contributions of Arapahoe County and the State of Colorado Trail Grant, the Town completed improvements to the park, which in term will build up both bodies and minds for our future.
More information about BRPOS is available here.
Centennial Park
Centennial Park lies in the heart of the Centennial Sub-division. This amenity is one of Bennett's most utilized public parks, and has long since been due for an upgrade. In 2017, this park was the recipient of drainage improvements, new playground equipment and a shade structure.
Read more about the work done in Centennial Park here.
Trupp Park
Trupp Park was donated Byron Trupp and his wife Thelma, proud residents, devoted to the Bennett community. In 2017, it will receive four new shade structures, with two picnic benches, six additional shade trees, and updated parking lot fencing. This park will also be the recipient of upgrades to the existing Skate Park, a bicycle playground and a new track.
New Town Hall
Bennett Town Hall was originally constructed in the 1970’s and was limited to only 2,000 square feet and one restroom – which is smaller than many single-family homes in the town.
On May 22 of this year, Bennett broke ground on the new Town Hall. This new facility heralds’ significant improvement to the availability, efficiency and functionality of the Town of Bennett. Currently operating in three different locations, the new Town Hall consolidate these locations into one building, totally 8,200 square feet. This will allow Town staff to serve the entire community in one central location. Town Hall can improve services and communication for our businesses and residents, whether they are paying a water bill, obtaining a permit or attending a Trustee meeting. This space is designed with room for future growth and will be constructed with energy efficiency as the primary focus. A grant from DOLA was awarded to the Town of Bennett to assist in the design and engineering of the Town Hall. A grand opening is scheduled December of 2017.
More information on New Town Hall is availalbe online here.
The 2016 State of the Town was held on July, 22nd at the Bennett Community Center.
This year at the State of the Town Mayor Royce Pindell took us on a road trip through the town's past up till the future. You can watch the mayor's full introduction here.
One of the main focuses for the town this year is the Road Reconstruction Project. The town wants to make sure there are good roads to keep us moving and safe. Watch the Public Works Director, Daymon Johnson, explain the process on the project here. The town hopes to have over 13 miles of reconstructed roadways by the summer of 2017. This project represents a capital investment of 5.7 million taxpayer dollars, thanks to the 1 percent sales tax increase. This also provides the Town of Bennett with an ongoing revenue source for road maintenance in the future.
This year the town is also building a new elevated water storage tank. To explain why a new tank is needed, watch the Town Administrator, Trish Stiles', video here. The design process for the new tank began in 2015 with FEI Engineers INC. and construction is expected to begin soon. The project will take the better part of a year. Most of the ground level work is scheduled for the fall of 2016 and the tank itself will be erected and welded into place in 2017.
One important part of taking on these large improvement projects is making sure both residents and businesses stay informed. Economic Development Manager, Jose Rocha, explains why the businesses in the Town of Bennett are so important, watch here.
