Councilor Popkin asked staff about unexpected capital costs on Sept. 9 after a retaining‑wall failure near the Public Safety and Justice Center site. City staff explained the retaining wall failed because of irrigation issues under landscaping; initial estimates to replace the wall alone began at about $1.8 million and could rise if utility conflicts were encountered.

To limit risk and avoid multiple utility conflicts, staff proposed constructing a parking deck structure that stabilizes the slope and restores lost parking; that design option reduced the risk of unanticipated utility relocations, and staff indicated the parking‑deck alternative carried a not‑to‑exceed estimate near $4 million. City staff said the Longmont Downtown Development Authority would contribute $1 million toward the project.

Council action

Councilor Popkin moved to approve item 9E (capital improvement program amendments). The motion, seconded by Councilor McCoy, passed unanimously. Council packet materials indicate the council will fund the retaining‑wall and parking‑deck work using a mix of previously authorized CIP funds, transfers from other funds (including streets and utilities where appropriate), and a DDA contribution. Staff noted the work was not originally planned and resulted from an unanticipated failure.

Why it matters: A retaining‑wall failure adjacent to a major civic project posed both safety and schedule risks. The approved amendment redirected capital funding to add structural stabilization while also adding parking capacity lost during prior construction activity; the DDA contribution reduced the city's net capital exposure.