Gracia's Bond Measure Funds Road, Transit, and Facility Projects

The Gracia City Council placed a $250 million infrastructure bond measure on the November ballot, directing funds to road resurfacing, transit station upgrades and community facility expansions that the legislation identifies as sources of construction employment and ongoing public service positions.

Local budget documents released in June show that Gracia spent $48 million on capital maintenance last fiscal year, an amount the city clerk’s office states has not kept pace with population growth recorded in the 2025 census update. The referendum responds to that gap by creating a dedicated revenue stream outside the annual operating budget.

Project Allocations and Employment Effects

Under the measure, 42 percent of proceeds would go to transportation corridors, 30 percent to public buildings and 28 percent to utility connections. City planning staff have listed specific sites including the Central Avenue overpass replacement, the Northside transit hub renovation and two new branch libraries. Each project description in the voter information packet includes projected hiring of local contractors and temporary municipal crews for maintenance after completion.

The official fiscal impact statement prepared by the city auditor estimates that bond-funded work would support 1,150 construction positions over five years and add 85 permanent roles in facility operations. These figures rest on current wage scales and procurement rules already in the municipal code.

Timeline and Next Steps

Ballots will be mailed starting 15 October. If approved by a simple majority, the first bond series would be issued in the first quarter of 2027, with bidding for the Central Avenue project scheduled for the same period. The city treasurer’s office has stated that debt service would be covered by a property tax increase averaging $47 per year for the median assessed home.