The "W" Line Opens in
275 Days.
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Hi 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, July 25, 2012. |
Local Businesses Take Note!!!
Here's your chance to become a sponsor of
RTD' West Rail Line's
Tour de FasTracks Bike Event, Sept 15, 2012
Click on the logo to learn more.
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West Corridor, Denver & Region
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Like Bridges? Click on the photo & take a quick, yet fascinating view of all the bridges constructed along the West Corridor in preparation of the opening of FasTrack's West Rail Line. A special thanks to Kevin Flynn, RTD FasTracks, for the photo montage.
TheDenverPost.com
RTD Approves Plan to Complete I-225 FasTracks by 2015 By Monte Whaley, Jul 25, 2012
A key section of the FasTracks light rail project in Aurora will be finished after a unanimous vote Tuesday night by the Regional Transportation District Board - but not before northern corridor residents vented their frustration.
TheBoulderBlueLine.org
Rocky Flats & the Jefferson Parkway
By LeRoy Moore, Jul 24, 2012
The June-July Arvada Report carried an unsigned article titled "Rocky Flats and the Jefferson Parkway Is it safe?" The article says, yes, it's "safe." But "safe" for whom? Certainly not for the most vulnerable among us for at least three big reasons: 1) the danger of plutonium, 2) the inadequacy of official standards for permissible exposure, and 3) uncertainties about environmental conditions at Rocky Flats.
READ MORE...
TheWallStreetJournal.com
[Subscription needed to read entire article]
Denver Rethinks the Modern Commuter by Kris Hudson, Jul 24, 2012
In Rail Expansion, Authorities Want to Help Riders Live Close Enough to Stations So They Don't Have to Use Their Cars
BizJournals.com/Denver
Feds Pick San Luis Valley Acreage Among 6 Favored Sites for Solar Power
By Cathy Proctor, Jul 24, 2012
The U.S. Dept of the Interior Tuesday released locations it prefers for building solar power plants on federal lands in six southwestern states, including 16,308 acres in Colorado's San Luis Valley.
READ MORE.... |
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National
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TransportationNation.
Ray LaHood: If You Want Federal Transportation Money to Go to Biking and Walking, Start Agitating Locally
By Transportation Nation, Jul 23, 2012
Last week Transportation Nation readers sent me a number of great questions to answer in my latest "On the Go" video. Today, I'd like to return the favor by answering one or two more questions right here on Transportation Nation.
READ MORE...
StreetsBlog.net
The Inherent Shallowness of the Rail vs. Bus Debate
By Angie Schmitt, Jul 23, 2012
Is every argument for buses also an argument against rail?
READ MORE...
[Editor's comment to below: Hmmm...Let's see---55, 000 plus registered students along the future West Corridor light rail line opening in 2013 and beer? Could the two meet to create an economic development boom in West Denver, Lakewood, and Golden Colorado?]
Bettercities.net
In Defense of 'Vibrancy' (And Beer) as Economic Development
By Ben Brown, Jul 23, 2012
So I'm watching Asheville, the closest city to my rural community in western North Carolina, celebrate the announcement that Colorado-based New Belgium Brewing Company will be opening a brewery in the city's redeveloping River Arts District. And based partly on extensive research with PlaceMakers partner Scott Doyon in the Atlanta Metro's beer mecca of Decatur, GA - I'm thinking it's time to address the concept of beer as economic development.
READ MORE...
TheAtlanticCities.com
America's Top Creative Class States (Colorado - #6)
By Richard Florida, Jul 24, 2012
This week I'll be sharing some more new data on the geography of America's creative class. Nationwide, the creative class totals more than 40 million workers, more than a third of the total workforce, including professionals in the fields of science and technology, design and architecture, arts, entertainment and media, and healthcare, law, management and education.READ MORE...
DC.StreetsBlog.org
Smart Growth America: States May Pave Over Their Own Good Intentions
By Tanya Snyder, Jul 23, 2012
Last week, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign revealed how states prioritize spending: 20 percent for transit, 2 percent for bike/ped, 38.5 percent for maintenance, and about 22.5 percent for highway expansion. Looking just at those last two numbers, that breaks down to 71 percent more spending on repair than sprawl-inducing new lanes
READ MORE...
TheAtlanticCities.com
Seeing the Train as a 'Mobile Office'
By Eric Jaffe, Jul 23, 2012
If you're evaluating a commute or an intercity work trip on travel time alone, the train doesn't always look so great. Annoying as traffic can be, driving is usually quicker from home door to office desk. And while it can take a while to reach an airport, once you're en route nothing travels faster than a plane. READ MORE...[Editor's note to below: Although the article below advocates for California, TBF will also advocate the same law for Colorado; we feel it would be a great incentive to get people out of their cars and onto bicycles. Also see the Wednesday's film below]. SF.StreetsBlog.org
Bikes Are Not Cars: Why California Needs an "Idaho Stop" Law
By Aaron Bialick, Jul 20, 2012
If you follow just about any major media coverage of street etiquette and safety, by now you've probably seen a piece vilifying people on bikes for "running" stop signs. But hop on a bike yourself, and you'll start to see why safely rolling and yielding at stop signs makes sense.
READ MORE...
AtlanticCities.com
14 Keys To Building People Friendly Communities
By Kaid Benfield, Jul 23, 2012
It's not really about energy. Or any other single environmental issue. When it comes to community, people must come first. If our strategies don't work for people, they won't work for the planet. If our plans don't nourish the human spirit, they aren't worth pursuing.READ MORE...HuffingtonPost.com
Foreclosure Crisis Spurs Quest To Reinvigorate Suburbs
By Peter S. Goodman, Jul 23, 2012 In the mythologized version of recent American history -- which is to say, the part where the suburbs devolved from the wholesome backdrop for family life into ground zero for a devastating crisis -- we essentially got what we asked for.READ MORE...Grist.org
The Great Cities vs. Suburbs Rivalry, and Why it Matters
By Greg Hanscom, Jul 23, 2012 The story seems to change every five minutes. One recent report found that, for the first time since the advent of the automobile, cities are adding population faster than suburban areas. "Cities grow more than suburbs, first time in 100 years," trumpeted the Associated Press. READ MORE...
Salon.com
Unleash Our Kids By Will Doing, Jul 21, 2012 Crime is at a 40-year low, but nervous parents are limiting their kids' freedom to roam -- and it hurts urban life
READ MORE...
Grist.org
Flying the Coop: The Scrambled World of Backyard Poultry
By Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan, Jul 19, 2012 Here are a few things you should know about keeping backyard chickens: Poultry are "poop machines" - but cleaning up after them is "less maintenance than a cat's litter box." You can let them range free around the yard - just watch out for predatory eagles (and your garden: "Chickens will annihilate it.").
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International (when available)
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Rio Mayor: How to Build the City of the Future
by Eduardo Paes, Jul 22, 2012
Eduardo Paes is mayor of Rio de Janeiro, which will host the 2016 Olympic Games. He is planning to attend this year's Olympics in London. Paes spoke at the TED2012 conference in Long Beach, California, in March.
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| Wednesday's Film (when available)
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 | | Bicycles, Rolling Stops, & The Idaho Stop Law. The idea of the Idaho Stop has proven popular all over the world, as is indicated at least in part by the continued spread of this video, which was originally meant only for the eyes of Oregon Legislatures and citizens, to convince them of the common sense behind this law. |
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Things you need to know along the West Corridor
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Photo: Lakewood Heritage, Culture & The Arts
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>Lakewood, Saturday August 11, 10am 2pm
Denver & Intermountain Interurban Trolley, Car No. 25, Open House.
Bring the whole family to enjoy a free ride on this completely restored trolley car that connected early Lakewood Colorado citizens to the booming downtown Denver at the turn of the 20th Century.
Location:
Denver Federal Center, Bldg No. 78
Enter on Kipling St. South of 6th Ave. Gate I, Follow the Yellow Signs.
[All adults need a government photo ID (i.e. Driver's License) to enter the Federal Center. Sorry, pets are not permitted].
>Lakewood, Thursday, Sept 13, 2012 7pm. Mary Harris Auditorium on the Campus of the Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design. 1600 Pierce Street, Lakewood, Colorado 80214.
Music! Singing! Dancing! Comedy! Oh My! A variety show produced by the 40 West Arts District showcasing the performing arts with an array of upbeat, high-energy, family-friendly acts. The inaugural show, emceed by the inimitable "Naughty Pierre" from Lannie's Clocktower, is set for September 13 at the Mary Harris Auditorium - Click here to learn more & purchase tickets.
[Note: in just 9 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 can commute to downtown, check out the facilities in place this year.]
2012 schedule of Ride to the
Rockies Games
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, Aug 05, for the game against the SF Giants. 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.
The very popular RTD West Corridor bus tours are back but ending soon!! All tours will be from 9am to 11am on the 3rd Friday of the month (Aug & 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
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.
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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THE TRANSIT ALLIANCE IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE FALL 2012 AND SPRING 2013 ACADEMIES! Please note that the Academy application process is competitive as they only have 50 slots available and usually have 100 applicants or more. Applications must be submitted by 5 PM on August 24th to be considered for the Fall 2012 Academy. The Fall Academy (2012-02) will begin September 12 and end on October 24, 2012.  Tour de FasTracks - West Rail Ride Bike Event Saturday, Sept 15, 2012 Calling all Cyclists in Golden, Lakewood, west Denver, and the Denver Region. The RTD FasTracks West Rail Line which will serve our West Corridor will host a bike event on Saturday, September 15, 2012 to show off its magnificent bike path that parallels most of the future "W" line. The Back Fence, in the coming months, always a huge supporter of alternatives to the single occupier automobile, will strongly advocate for the "final mile" and call for more and safer cycle access from the light rail stations. We also consider the bicycle as not just a recreational vehicle, but a tool of economic empowerment that helps our citizens stay healthy and keeps more expendable cash in their pockets in which to enhance our local businesses; and I won't bore you with lectures on sustainability, oil dependence and air quality. Although the Tour de FasTracks event is billed as a "leisurely ride" that will start at the future Oak Street Station parking area and end at the Decatur Federal Station, there also will be a stage for the intermediate and advanced cyclists that will start at the Jefferson County Government Center-Golden Station. Details will be forthcoming, but you can Click here to view the current RTD bike path.
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