Mayor Mike Johnston on Tuesday lauded the Denver City Council’s decision to approve his bond package aimed at curing some of the city’s biggest infrastructure woes, as well as improving parks, libraries and building a $20 million American Indian Cultural Embassy.

“We feel incredibly lucky to be a part of this community this morning, and so grateful for all the support that has gotten us here, and we know, now the work begins,” Johnston said at a news conference on the steps of the Denver City and County Building. Among the crowd was former Denver Mayor Federico Peña.

“Now is the opportunity for us to be able to go to every neighborhood in the city, have conversations about what’s possible and why we think this is a great investment for Denver’s future.”

The bond package, which was modified multiple times, would build or repair about 60 infrastructure projects around the city.

“These are the kinds of decisions that define who we are and what kind of city we want to be,” City Council President Amanda Sandoval said. “We will see and feel the impacts of these investments in the streets and the bridges we drive, walk, and bike on every day; in the pools and the rec centers where families gather and neighbors build lifelong friendships and in the everyday details we might not always notice.”

City officials framed the bond, if approved by voters, as more than just spending on projects.

“It’s a statement about who we are and where we’re going as a city at a time of federal uncertainty,” District 9 Councilmember Darrell Watson said. “On a weekly basis, our leaders of this great city are giving us certainty with this bond.”

City officials argued that local bond funds are how the city delivers high-quality infrastructure for its residents without raising taxes.

“Every bond issuance from the City and County of Denver since at least 2004 has been structured to avoid a tax rate increase,” said Denver Chief Financial Officer Nicole Doheny. “We do this by keeping our borrowing well within the limits that Denver voters have already approved, and I’m proud to see a thoughtful and impactful bond program that continues this responsible and sustainable practice.”

Depending on the terms, such as the number of years to pay for the borrowed dollars, and how the debt structured, Johnston’s bond could cost the city’s taxpayers twice the proposed amount. However, city officials said they have no intention of extending the bond beyond six years and put the total price tag at around $1.4 billion.

The largest category of spending from the bond’s proceeds — about 47% or $441 million of the entire bond — would go toward transportation and mobility, meaning streets, bridges, and safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and traffic.

The next largest — about 26% or $244 million — would go toward improvements at city facilities residents use every day, like libraries, community centers, the animal shelter, and more, as well as community and cultural assets like Red Rocks, the Botanic Gardens, the Denver Art Museum, and more.

The city’s parks and recreation infrastructure would see 18% or $175 million in the bond, including city parks, pools, trails and children’s play areas.

Approximately 6% or $59 million of this bond would make Americans with Disabilities Act improvements to housing and shelter facilities. It would also add new affordable housing.

An additional 3% or $30 million would expand a family health clinic and build a children’s advocacy center.

Johnston first announced the “Vibrant Denver Bond” proposal in February of this year. He he has been criticized by some over the bond’s fast track through the city’s legislative process. Other criticisms stemmed from the bond executive committee’s release of projects without cost estimates.

This fall, voters will see the bond issue separated into five categories: transportation and mobility, city facilities, parks and recreation, housing and sheltering, and health and human services.

“The Vibrant Denver Bond is about delivering real results for Denverites, including safer streets, better parks and stronger neighborhoods,” Johnston said. “Each project in this package reflects what Denver residents told us they want and need most.”