12 months to the opening of the West Corridor's West Rail "W" Line! Any predictions for the day? Hit the reply button.  |
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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 Sunday Edition, May 13, 2012. |
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West Corridor, Denver & Region
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 | | West Corridor Ombudsman, Jerry Goldman, atop the future Lakewood-Wadsworth West Rail Line Station. Mr. Goldman had nothing but praise for Swinerton builders and their work on the future Park-n-Ride garage. |
[Note to below: Once again as a reminder, the Denver Union Station is the heart of the Fastracks system, and the West Corridor is one of its arteries. Come celebrate what's happening downtown!]
>Denver Union Station Light Rail Plaza
Friday, May 18, 2012 11:30am to 1:00pm. The Denver Union Station Project Authority (DUSPA) and Regional Transportation District (RTD) will hold a lunch time Grand Opening Celebration for the Light Rail Plaza at Denver Union Station. Live entertainment starts on the Plaza at 11:30 p.m. with a short program to be held at 12:30 p.m. Since there will be no tax hike this year on the ballot, the public is welcome, but DUSPA requests you bring your own brown bag lunch. (I'm just pulling your chain with that last sentence).
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National
| TheAtlanticCities.com
The Impending Obesity Epidemic
By Kaid Benfield, May 09, 2012
The headline in Tuesday's USA Today was shocking: " Obesity could affect 42 percent of Americans by 2030." That is nearly triple the rate experienced just three decades ago, accourding to an article written by Nanci Hellmich. At current rates, eleven percent of Americans could be "severely obese, roughly 100 or more pounds over a healthy weight."
READ MORE...
TransportationNation.org
Pro-Bike Group: Four out of Five Americans Want $$ For Biking & Walking
By Andrea Bernstein, May 09, 2012 You always have to be a little leery when a group supporting a particular outcome puts out a poll showing support of that outcome, but an America Bikes poll being released today shows pretty lopsided results: a plurality (47%) of Americans wants more funding for bike and pedestrian programs
READ MORE...
The AtlanticCities.com
Getting More Women On Bikes By Sarah Goodyear, May 11, 2012 Back when the bicycle was new, it was a symbol of liberation for women - part of the new range of opportunities that women pursued and embraced at the end of the 19th century and the dawn of the 20th. Last year, writer Sue Macy published a marvelous book about that era, Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way). She includes a quote that appeared in an American magazine in 1896:
READ MORE...
TheAtlanticCities.com
Why Do We Tax Car-Sharing Like It's Liquor or Cigarettes?
By Emily Badger, May 11, 2012
Rental-car taxes are a boon for big cities. They extract hefty contributions to local coffers from the constituents least likely to complain about it: out-of-towners. And they come in a variety of ingenious forms, as regular taxes, but also airport surcharges, one-time transaction fees and even micro-payments to help pay for pricey amenities like convention centers and sports stadiums.
READ MORE...
DC.StreetsBlog.org
Are Americans Driving Less Because They're Working Less?
By Tanya Snyder, May 10, 2012
Everyone's trying to figure out why, after decades of consistent growth, the amount Americans drive is leveling off and even declining. The decline started during the recession, to be sure, but was more dramatic than in previous recessions. As the economy began to get back on its feet, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) just barely ticked upward - and then fell again.
READ MORE...
Citiwire.net
Density Without High Rises?
By Edward T. McMahon, May 11, 2012
When it comes to land development, Americans famously dislike two things: too much sprawl and too much density. Over the past 50 years, the pendulum swung sharply in the direction of spread-out, single use, drive everywhere for everything, low density development.
TheAtlanticCities.com Do We Need Social Security for Our Houses Too? By Emily Badger, May 10, 2012 Over the coming two decades, a vast share of Americans - a group the size of which we've never seen before -- is slated to age into retirement and beyond. And unlike their parents' and grandparents' generations, most of these people do not plan to go willingly to the old folks' home. TheUrbn.com Paint Your Roof With Solar Power
By Green Futures, May 10, 2012 A researcher believes thermoelectric paint could bring affordable DIY solar energy to the market within five years.
"This weekend, dear, shall we clean out the basement or go solar?" This scenario may soon be a real possibility, using a back-to-the-future approach called thermoelectric paint.
READ MORE... Switchboard.nrdc.org Shipping Container "Cities" Bring Creative, Funky Approach to Green Construction
By Ken Benfield, May 11, 2012
This started out as an article on prefabricated modular housing, which can bring the construction price of new homes down considerably and lends itself well to use of green materials and straightforward replication. There's a multi-part series on green prefab construction, including the history and evolution of the industry, on the always-fascinating Inhabitat site.
READ MORE... |
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International (when available)
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Sunday's Film (when available)
| Mashable.com
Can a Bamboo Bike Revolutionize World Transit? Big Idea: Bamboo Bike Studio holds bike-building workshops where students can craft their own bamboo bicycle - a sustainable form of transportation made in a sustainable way. Why It's Working: Bamboo Bike Studio uses the money from stateside workshops to fund a bike factory in Africa, where bamboo can be harnessed into reliable, sustainable transport for very little money.
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Things you need to know along the West Corridor
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>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.
>Denver Union Station Light Rail Plaza
Friday, May 18, 2012 11:30am to 1:00pm The Denver Union Station Project Authority (DUSPA) and Regional Transportation District (RTD) will hold a lunch time Grand Opening Celebration for the Light Rail Plaza at Denver Union Station. Live entertainment starts on the Plaza at 11:30 p.m. with a short program to be held at 12:30 p.m. Since there will be no tax hike this year on the ballot, the public is welcome, but DUPA requests you bring your own brown bag lunch. (I'm just joking with that last sentence).
>Lakewood, Saturday, May 19, 2012 9am - 1030am
Lakewood City Council Ward 1 members Karen Kellen & Ramey Johnson will meet with residents and considerate guests for their monthly outreach. The future light rail line will traverse the northern section of their Ward. Lakewood West Colfax Business Improvement District Office, 7125 West Colfax Ave.
>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. [Note: in just 12 short months West Corridor residents will be able bike to a West Rail Line station, jump on board with their bikes, get off at Union Station & cycle just six blocks to Coors Field and LEAVE THE CAR BEHIND. But until then, those of you adventurous souls who commute downtown, check out the facilities in place this year.] 
2012 schedule of Ride to the Rockies Games
May 20, June 03, July 01, Aug 05, & Sept 02. All games are Sunday Day games. Over the course of 20 games this season the Rockies along with media partners ROOT SPORTS, 850 KOA and The Denver Post will once again be enlisting players and fans toward making a positive impact on the environment through the 2012 Games of Green initiative. NEXT BIKE TO THE GAME! WHEN: Sunday, May 20 for the game against the Seattle Mariners. Bike lot opens at 11:30 a.m. and closes 10 minutes after the game ends.
WHERE: Coors Field, the special Bike to the Game secure parking lot at 21st and Blake St., across from Gate C.
WHAT: Check in at the Bike to the Game Tent at the entrance to the bike lot at 21st and Blake to enter a drawing for great prizes, like a Rockies Batting Practice experience, Rockies tickets, autographed items and more! Get more info & Tickets here >Denver Union Station Historic Summer Tours Starting Thursday, May 24, 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 24, 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] 
>Lakewood, starting Friday, June 08, 2012, 5-9pm; June 09, 10-4pm; June 10, 12-6pm Lakewood's celebration of the Arts week - Inspire -- starts with a Ribbon-cutting, Arts Exhibit & Community Art Project 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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Please Note: Begining today, May 06, 2012, TBF will use the Sunday Editions of THE BACK FENCE to provide links to Real Estate agents who "get the big picture" of Transit Oriented real estate and walkability.
Stay tuned.
Residential Real Estate
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Please note: TBF receives no promotional fees for the placement of links to the various agents.
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* * * 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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