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The Newsletter Featuring Livable Community Items That Readers Value and Highlights of Happenings Along the West Corridor on the RTD West Rail Line Serving Golden, Lakewood & Denver.
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Hello Everyone! This is Bill Spriggs and I have found several news articles, links and blogs that I wanted to share along THE BACK FENCE & beyond in this Wednesday Edition, May 09, 2012. |
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West Corridor, Denver & Region
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[Below: Want to live in the heart of the future FasTracks system? Make inquiries now 'cause they're gonna go fast! - Remember - the Denver Union Station area is the trail-head to the West Corridor].
Denver Union Station District: Cadence Apartments By Ken Schroeppel, May 08, 2012
In September 2011, we first blogged about Zocalo Development's proposed residential project at 17th and Wewatta in Downtown Denver's booming Union Station district. This is a short update to let you know that the 13-story, 220-unit project, now named Cadence Apartments, is about to begin construction.
[Also see Ken's additional DUS district update: 16 Wewatta Street [Below: Denver gets another national nod for its exemplar FasTracks system and the benefit it will give to its regional residents. Open, Open, Open!]. DC.StreetsBlog.org New Equity Atlas Tells a Story About the Future of Denver (With Maps!) By Ben Goldman, May 07, 2012
As more cities look to revive or expand their transit networks in the face of rising gas prices and maddening congestion, planners have had to remain vigilant to ensure that underprivileged communities are not displaced or adversely affected by the same transit improvements that could offer them numerous benefits.
READ MORE...BoulderDailyCamera.com
Boulder Leaders Struggle With Affordable Housing Priorities
By Erica Meltzer, May 08, 2012 With legal, budgetary and market constraints, Boulder City Council members struggled to find consensus Tuesday night about how best to create more affordable housing.
READ MORE... |
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National
| TransportationNation.org
Negotiators Kick Off Highway Bill Conference; Boxer Warns "Failure Is Not An Option"
By Todd Zwillich, May 08, 2012 Republicans and Democrats from the House and Senate began their formal conference over surface transportation funding Tuesday, in a negotiation that could take up to a month and where tens of billions of dollars are at stake.
READ MORE...
Transportation.NationalJournal.com
By Natn'l Journal News Desk, May 07, 2012
A Democratic compromise on Keystone could pave the way to a highway bill.
HuffingtonPost.com
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs and Green Too: Can Transportation Drive the Future?
By Michael Rose, May 06, 2012
President Obama, who made rescuing the auto companies one of his first goals, officially opened his reelection campaign with a rally in Columbus, Ohio telling the crowd of 14,000 that he aims to take the country "forward" while his presumed opponent, Mitt Romney, will slam on the brakes and try to throw the country into reverse.
TransportationIssuesDaily.com
Is Congress Soon to Become Even More Dysfunctional? By Larry Ehl, May 06, 2012
To paraphrase one of my favorite Frank Sinatra songs: "The Worst is Yet to Come" when contemplating the future of Congressional activity. At least that's what Politico's Charles Mahtesian and Jim VandeHei lay out in "Congress: It's going to get worse." This could be very bad news for future federal transportation bills.
Mashable.com
Why Has New York Become a Paradise for Tech Startups? By Alex Fitzpatrick, May 05, 2012
"A technology community won't ferment if it is spread evenly over one hundred square miles of metropolitan area, especially if mass transit options are limited"
READ MORE...Grist.org
Is the 'Obesity Lobby'Winning? By Tom Laskawy, May 02, 2012
The War on Obesity sure was fun while it lasted. There was school lunch reform, Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign, the administration's Task Force on Obesity report, and an attempt by the administration to restrict junk food advertising to kids. But, as Reuters details in this fantastic deep-dive, the food industry came back with shock and awe, K-Street style:
TheAtlanticCities.com
Kids Who Get Driven Everywhere Don't Know Where They're Going By Sarah Goodyear, May 06, 2012
Traffic and kids don't mix. That's something people intuitively understand. Automobile collisions disproportionately kill kids, for starters. Heavy traffic also prevents them from playing on their neighborhood streets. And communities with limited opportunities for walking and playing outside have been shown to have higher rates of childhood obesity, which can lead to serious health complications in later life.
READ MORE...Bicycling.com
Why Johnny Can't Ride
ByDavid Darlington, May, 2012
Childhood obesity rates are soaring, youth participation in sports and other active pursuits is plummeting, and a generation is coming of age with little understanding of the joy and freedom of unsupervised play. There's a simple solution-but all across the nation our schools earn a failing grade when it comes to letting kids ride their bikes. READ MORE...
TheAtlanticCities.com
Kids Who Get Driven Everywhere Don't Know Where They're Going By Sarah Goodyear, May 06, 2012
Traffic and kids don't mix. That's something people intuitively understand. Automobile collisions disproportionately kill kids, for starters. Heavy traffic also prevents them from playing on their neighborhood streets. And communities with limited opportunities for walking and playing outside have been shown to have higher rates of childhood obesity, which can lead to serious health complications in later life.
TheAtlanticCities.com
The Street Hacker, Officially Embraced By Emily Badger, May 07, 2012
But what happens when these newly engaged citizens want to have an equally hands-on role with the physical space in our cities, with our streets and sidewalks and public parks? Could cities make it just as easy to hack the physical world as the digital one?
[Note to below: photos of Pearl St. Mall in Boulder and the 16th St. Mall in Denver are shown] TheAtlanticCities.com
The Uncertain Legacy of America's Pedestrian Malls By Mark Byrnes, May 04, 2012
American urban history is dotted with failed (and occasionally infamous) pedestrian malls. But there are success stories too, which offer lessons in designing walkable, mixed-use districts.
TheAtlanticCities.com
Do Passing Distance Laws Really Protect Cyclists? By Andrew Zaleski, May 07, 2012
At the end of the day, [share the road laws] do not challenge the car-centric, highway-building status quo in this country.
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International (when available)
| Wired.com/autopia
World's First Circumnavigation By Solar Powered Ship A Success By Keith Barry, May 04, 2012
At 2:12 PM local time today, the MS Tūranor entered Monaco's Hercule Harbor, becoming the first ship to travel around the world using only solar power.
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Wednesday's Film (when available)
| UtilityCycling.org
Bikes at Antwerp Train Station By Melanie Colavito, May 04, 2012
If you had any doubt that bikes are popular in Belgium, than here's some impressive proof. This video by Copenhagenize shows the bicycle parking facilities at the Antwerp Central Station in Belgium. There really are a lot of bikes at the station!
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Things you need to know along the West Corridor
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>Denver Union Station Historic Summer Tours Starting Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 4:30pm - 5:30pm
The Denver Union Station Project Authority (DUSPA) will be conducting free guided tours of the Denver Union Station redevelopment site this summer. This guided tour will emphasis the early station history and famous travelers who visited Denver by Train. The tour will also tell visitors about all the exciting new features that will soon be part of, and surround, the historic station. The tours will be held at 4:30 p.m., starting on Thursday, May 10, 2012, and continuing on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month through July. The one-hour tour will start inside the Great Train Hall at the historic station, 1701 Wynkoop Street. Participation is limited to 35 people per tour. To reserve your spot, visit. RSVP here [Scroll down on left]
[Editor's note to below: TBF received no promotional fee for this posting. This is part of our overall effort to get more cyclists on our city streets. It is a well established fact that if females feel "safe" on our roads, then more will follow and that means fewer automobiles]. Source: Scientific American
>Lakewood, Thursday, May 10, 2012, 7 - 9pm Ladies Night at Campus Cycles, 7310 West Colfax Ave, Co. 80214 One of the West Corridor's newest neighbors is Campus Cycles who will be hosting an informal "after hours" catered event designed to present information about bikes, accessories and riding apparel for the lady cyclist. Liv/Giant will be present as well as a few local event directors. The evening will include a raffle, entertainment, gift bags, fashion show and many in-store discounts. RSVP via e-mail at event RSVP@campuscycles.com, or call 303 237-1115. >Lakewood, Thursday, May 10, 2010, 6-7:30pm Eiber Elementary School, 1385 Independence Street, Lakewood, Co. The City of Lakewood will host a Sustainable Neighborhood Program focused on the Eiber Neighborhood and encourages citizen participation for this workshop to share ideas and interests. The West Rail Line runs east & west along the northern portion of this particular neighborhood. >Denver, Tuesday, May 15, 2012 5:30 - 7pm
Public Transit Workshop The City and County of Denver and the Denver Livability Partnership will host a Public Transit Workshop. The workshop will provide attendees with an opportunity to hear information from the recent West Side Transit Enhancement Study and details on service changes anticipated with the opening of the new West Corridor Light Rail line in 2013. Westridge/Mulroy Community Rm, 3550 West 13th Ave, Denver, Co. 80204. >Lakewood, Wednesday, May 23, 5:30pm to ? Jeffco League of Women Voters looks at 2012 Colorado legislative accomplishments: From civil unions to direct file, from voting rights to higher education, children's issues to reproductive choice, the League has followed more than 90 bills this session. 1425 Brentwood St. Lakewood Co. 80214 Call Laurie Scholl at 303-234-0264 for more information  >Lakewood, starting Friday, June 08, 2012, 5-9pm; June 09, 10-4pm; June 10, 12-6pm.
Lakewood's celebration of the Arts week starts with a Ribbon-cutting, Arts Exhibit & Community Art Project June 8-9-10. Mark your calendars for the INSPIRE week programs at 40 West Arts! Lakewood's celebration of its arts with a ribbion-cutting and preview of the new 40 West Studios at 7175 West 16th Avenue, Lakewood, Colorado 80214 starts June 08, 2012. The new art studio is located just 0.6 miles - an 11 minute walk, or a 6 minute bike ride from the future Wadsworth Light Rail Station.Click here to learn more
The very popular RTD West Corridor bus tours are back!! All tours will be from 9am to 11am on the 3rd Friday of the month (May thru Sept). Each reservation that is made is for one seat only; please sign-up all attendees individually. You will receive e-mail confirmation within one week of your registration. Click here to register
MAY 19 - 20TH, 2012 
JUNE 9-15th, 2012 
AUGUST 20-26th, 2012
SEPTEMBER 21-23RD, 2012
Denver Union Station
Construction Cam
Golden Jeffco Station
Construction Cam
Wish You Could Find an Apartment/Condo near a Light Rail Station? As part of TBF's continuing efforts to bring TOD's to the West Corridor & elsewhere, this link from Walk Score.com will now be a permanent feature. Thanks. |
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Commercial Real Estate Assemblages, Land or Buildings Available on The West Corridor
Please note: TBF does not
own or sell any real property.
Prices displayed may not be correct.
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>4917 West 11th Ave Assemblage
>10th Avenue Light Rail Assemblage
>1010 Sheridan Blvd TOD Site
>13th Avenue & Newland St., Light Rail Vacant Land
>5830 West Colfax Ave
>1025 Ammons Complex
>6990 West Colfax Ave Pad Site
THE BACK FENCE supports a corridor wide, regional vision, with individual nodes of unique "places" within that corridor. We hope that the listing of commercial properties available will help to speed this vision to fruition sooner. Learn more about this vision below from the Center for Transit-Oriented Development.
Editor's note: Due to the greatness of Democracy and right of it's citizen's to express concerns freely, RTD has issued a follow-up statement addressing those issues raised surrounding the Future Sheridan Street Parking Structure raised on March 01, 2012. Subjects include 1) Sun/snow on the north side of the structure. 2) Safer lighting between station and parking structure. 3) Ped/bicycle interaction from structure to station. 4) more.
Sheridan Parking Structure
RTD West Rail Line video flyover (entire line from Union Station to the Golden Jeffco Station.
West Corridor Vision
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Things You Need to Know Around the Region
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>What is the Better Block?
The "Better Block" project is a community revitalization effort that temporarily demonstrates how to improve a street with pedestrian and public infrastructure mixed with art, culture, pop-up businesses and street life. For one day, the project will fill vacant storefronts, create pedestrian seating areas, provide landscaping and street furniture, redraw the street, provide live music, and more. Better Block aims to create quick, inexpensive, high-impact changes that lead to permanent solutions for areas in Denver.
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| The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of William A. Spriggs and no one else. |
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