Sep 25, 2026 · 2 hr 13 min · 15 segments
What’s next for Boulder? We introduce Event Horizon, dig into the proposed Pearl Street Arts District, revisit a buyer who lost roughly $300,000 after winning a 2022 bidding war, and break down a…
Was it worth it? Last week, after a Quora filing and months of pressure, the city finally released its full-cost reconciliation for the Alpine Balsam project.
For $366 million, the city got 144 units of affordable housing and 138,500 square feet of office space.
Google paid 782 square foot in 2021, and Boulder County just paid 355 square feet in 2024.
There's currently 163,000 square feet of vacant new Class A office space sitting at the 29th Street Mall.
Even using a generous $750 per square foot estimate for the planning period, 138,500 square feet equals $103.9 million.
And now, the city wants voters to approve a $400 million bond for more capital spending, without ever explaining how Alpine Balsam ballooned into the largest cost overrun in city history.
And Terry, I apologize if I'm mispronouncing your name, but that is an Open Boulder board member who happens to have been a CPA with over 25 years of experience building financial teams, lived in Boulder for over a decade, ran for council, and of course is now on the board of the Open Boulder organization that just endorsed a slate of candidates.
Was it worth it? Last week, after a Quora filing and months of pressure, the city finally released its full-cost reconciliation for the Alpine Balsam project.
For $366 million, the city got 144 units of affordable housing and 138,500 square feet of office space.
Google paid 782 square foot in 2021, and Boulder County just paid 355 square feet in 2024.
There's currently 163,000 square feet of vacant new Class A office space sitting at the 29th Street Mall.
Even using a generous $750 per square foot estimate for the planning period, 138,500 square feet equals $103.9 million.
And now, the city wants voters to approve a $400 million bond for more capital spending, without ever explaining how Alpine Balsam ballooned into the largest cost overrun in city history.
And Terry, I apologize if I'm mispronouncing your name, but that is an Open Boulder board member who happens to have been a CPA with over 25 years of experience building financial teams, lived in Boulder for over a decade, ran for council, and of course is now on the board of the Open Boulder organization that just endorsed a slate of candidates.
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