You may recall our recent discussion about the town of Lakeside, Colorado and how this “municipality” has recently approved the construction of a new Walmart Super-Center for a site just west of Sheridan Boulevard between Denver and Wheat Ridge.
The new Census results for Lakeside are in. Lakeside, Colorado’s 2010 population is… 8.
Yes, you read correctly, 8. Down from 20 in the 2000 Census.
I think the time has arrived for our state legislature to dissolve Lakeside and allow Wheat Ridge to annex the area.
Wheat Ridge has enough underutilized space and empty/butt-ugly buildings. And if what I understand about how much Lakeside has already promised (millions in tax breaks, etc.) to Wal-Mart to induce it to build the store, there is no way WR could match it (not that I want another Wal-Mart anywhere, but to be honest, WR could use the sales tax revenues).
That said, you’re right. It’s amazing that an eight-person “municipality” can affect so many other neighborhoods.
Only if they take the police state of Mountain View as a package deal.
So who are those 8 people? I’m guessing they’re getting a nice kickback for approving the Walmart construction. I think the people of the surrounding communities should know who to “thank”.
You can see the homes for the eight residents of Lakeside on the northwest corner of 44th and Sheridan. Historically, Lakeside and Mountain View (on the southside of 44th) have more in common with Denver. State action in the past has added many areas to Denver proper including after the Silver Panic of 1893. Other areas voted to join Denver. Due to difficulties in Denver adding land through annexation because of the passage of the Poundstone Amendment of 1973, the city’s borders have remained unchanged (except for the the special annexation of airport land). In my opinion, more state action should be taken to promote regionalism across the board so that the anomalies of places like Lakeside are not dictating how the larger area develops. While the state is busy drawing new municipal boundaries for Denver they may as well smooth out its boundaries on the southwest and southeast sides of town and while they’re at it, they should annex Holly Hills, the Four Square Mile Neighborhood and all other useless enclaves of Arapahoe, Jefferson and Adams Counties that are surrounded by Denver and still exist after all this time–vestiges of the anger over desegregation and annexation that precipitated the desire for the Poundstone Amendment.
I should add that recent monetary problems in Mountain View led some residents to consider disbanding the town (incorporated in 1904 I believe) and joining Wheat Ridge or ….GASP…Denver. However, the new medical marijuana industry has changed things for tiny Mountain View. A new MMJ clinic, called the Berekely MMJ Shop, or something like that, is now located in this municipality. Now Mountain View has more than an Arby’s and its police force to add to the city’s coffers.