Abracadabra! Let Boulder Build a Thriving Central Park

“In the beginning was the word.” In a recent column, I wrote that in Aramaic—the pre-Hebrew language in which Jesus likely communicated—Ab’ra means “I create,” and KeDab’ra means “as I speak.” Some call it magic.

The power of the spoken word reminds us that we participate in creating our reality. We live in a matrix where everything is connected. We are a drop in the ocean and, as Rumi reminds us, an ocean in a drop.

Founded as a modest gold-mining base camp, Boulder has long aspired to become the Athens of the West and the Florence of arts and culture. Over time, it attracted the University of Colorado, Chautauqua, more than thirty national laboratories, and now the Sundance Film Festival.

Sundance arrives at a pivotal moment. The festival faces the loss of its founder and the rapid economic impact of artificial intelligence on filmmaking. Meanwhile, Boulder faces pressures of its own, including a 38% downtown office vacancy rate and declining sales and property tax revenues.

To properly welcome Sundance—and to revitalize our downtown—Boulder has a rare opportunity to transform its 27-acre Civic Area into a world-class Central Park. Last week, we submitted a proposal to the City outlining a comprehensive vision to convert this underutilized space into a vibrant public park and a powerful economic engine anchored by arts and culture.

Cities, like people, create the future they imagine. If Boulder is to launch a thriving downtown, a flourishing arts scene, and a gathering place worthy of its aspirations, the path is simple: study this plan, speak about it, share the vision, and take action.

Trust that the ancient formula still applies. Abracadabra! Let Boulder build a thriving Central Park.

— Sina.