We lived in Durango in the early 1980s when the city built the sewer plant at Santa Rita and we heard all the same things from the City Council that we are hearing today: It would be too difficult and costly to move the plant to another location and the new plant would not stink. They were wrong.
Most people would agree that we should have moved the plant back then as the cost was minimal compared to today’s prices and the plant that was once located on the outskirts of town is now firmly in its center. Additionally, the new treatment plant had odor problems from day one.
So, here we are today. The city has been working on the new Land Use and Development Code for years. During that time, many concerned citizens questioned whether our infrastructure could support the planned infill and growth. The City Council and the city planners dismissed these concerns. Then, after the new code was approved it was determined that the sewer plant was in urgent need of costly upgrades and increased capacity.
Consequently, we find ourselves in a position where the lack of planning on their part is supposed to constitute an emergency on our part.
Voters are asked to approve a $68 million bond issue to upgrade the sewer plant at its current location because the councilors assure us that they have searched high and low and could not find another suitable site. Once again we are told that it would be too difficult and costly to move the plant and the upgraded plant will not stink.
The issue was put on the ballot before the council decided against building a new plant. Why the rush? Is it because they want to move on to other costly capital expenditure projects like the airport?
The Herald was right to point out that if the city rebuilds the sewer plant where it is now, it will be there for generations. We need to take our time and do this one right. Vote “no” on 2B.
Bruce Garlick
Durango
