The Denver City Council this week rejected a mayor’s office proposal to purchase a former Goodyear auto repair shop downtown and replace it with affordable housing.

Mayor Mike Johnston’s administration was seeking to use $2.5 million from a reserve fund to acquire the former auto shop and an empty lot next door. The parcels, at 1460 and 1480 Tremont Place, are about a block north of Civic Center Park.

“Contingency funds are meant to cover emergencies and unexpected things, not speculative real estate opportunities,” Councilwoman Flor Alvidrez said during Tuesday’s meeting.

The proposal lost on a 7-4 vote. Council members Amanda Sawyer, Diane Romero-Campbell, Shontel Lewis, Amanda Sandoval, Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez and Jamie Torres also voted no, while council members Kevin Flynn, Darre

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