How Tim Steinhaus Spends Your Money

Wait who is Tim Steinhaus? Well, he is Craig Kocian's buddy for one, that is why he is retiring in July. I mean he is retiring because he wants to and his timing has nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that Mr. Kocian is also retiring. Other than that Tim Steinhaus is the director of Arvada Urban Renewal Authority, also known as AURA, but not the good kind like in Harry Potter. AURA is best known for taking private property and giving it to their friends who happen to be developers. They also use tax money to make private loans and fly to Chicago for parties. reports revealed the group spent up to $2,300, or about $250 per person, on meals during trips and about $400 monthly on after-board steak dinners in the past three years. But don't worry it's better now the AURA has $45,000 set aside for travel, training and meetings. By the way that is more than many people make in a year, but these guys are spending it on steak. 

This was an article that appeared in face the state:

After the Arvada Urban Renewal Authority condemned and forcibly acquired an elderly small business owner's property in 2004, the land was transferred to a private developer who was given the property free of charge. Now city leaders and other project supporters are lauding the project with awards, despite the fact that the new development sits mostly vacant. The total tab to taxpayers thus far is estimated at nearly $800,000 and counting.

This is how the  retirement press release read:

Timothy Steinhaus Will Leave on July 5, 2011

Arvada, CO……..After 13 years with the Arvada Urban Renewal Authority (AURA), Executive Director Timothy Steinhaus announced his intention to retire effective July 5, 2011.

Many significant projects and milestones were accomplished during Steinhaus’ tenure with AURA, not the least of which was the sunset of AURA’s original district, Arvada City Center in 2006. This district included the retail power center located on Wadsworth Boulevard just north of I-70. The City Center district was only the second to sunset in the State of Colorado and is widely regarded as one of the most successful examples of urban renewal in the State, increasing the City’s tax revenues by over $13.7 million per year. In addition, AURA has established five new districts under Steinhaus’ direction including Ralston Fields which will revitalize the central business district of Arvada. This district began with the redevelopment of the abandoned Ridge Home State Hospital into a Super Target-anchored shopping center, with future residential and transit phases to come.

Perhaps most significant is the revitalization of Historic Olde Town Arvada that has occurred under Steinhaus’ leadership. He also oversaw the development of the Water Tower Village, a 600-unit new urbanistic village located adjacent to Olde Town.

“Tim Steinhaus has changed the face of Arvada through all the quality redevelopment projects he oversaw and is responsible for revitalizing many key sites in our City,” stated John Carpenter, Chairman of the AURA Board. “Due to his efforts, Olde Town Arvada has been selected to compete for DRCOG’s best Live/Work/Play community”.

Mr. Steinhaus’ future includes volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and building homes in third world countries.

In case you were wondering he was responsible for many other things including but not limited to, efforts to condemn Shrine of St. Annes Catholic Church's parking lot, narrowing of the streets in Olde Town Arvada, Water Tower Village where he owns several units, and one of his most recent decisions to blight and condemn dirt west of the city for development purposes. All accounts revealed the dirt was in awful condition. Thanks for all of your hard efforts to ah, improve, our city. We will miss you!