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Editor's Comment: One of the primary goals of THE BACK FENCE is to create a sense of place along the entire West Corridor. We seek that magical moment when someone mentions the phrase: "I live in the West Corridor" And, at that mystical moment, people in the Denver region and beyond who hear that phrase will know where that person lives. After which, one could mention 'exactly' at which "light rail village stop" they lived in -- such as "The Brickyard." The important lesson here is that, in the near future, "villages" along the West Corridor, like each and every individual out there, will create their own unique vision of themselves as they grow and mature. Those new "villages" that sprout up along the new light rail line stations that embrace multiple housing options that welcome the widest spectrum of individuals with varying cultures, incomes, educational backgrounds and disabilities will flourish and prosper the most. Those "villages" that cling to the past that prevent these new developments of diversity will perish. We sense that acceptance of Transit Oriented Developments that support diversity is the overriding central message behind the signage on the outskirts of every major street leading into the City of Lakewood Colorado pictured above. It's people who create "inclusive communities." One of the latest "village" plans emphasizing the local neighborhood focus is being developed in the most western stretch of the West Corridor by the citizens of Golden Colorado, and in particular, The South Golden Colorado Neighorhoods Plan. And here, without any further flourish, in pdf form [36 pages] is their plan. South Neighborhoods Plan. [P.S. The City of Lakewood has been prepared for the arrival of the light rail for several years now: So, all you business folks in Atlanta region who were fed up with voters who pulled the NO vote lever on a tax increase to finance a new transportation system so that your business will be continually held up in congested traffic -- Lakewood Colorado's got everything ready for you all! Bring your businesses here! |
THE BACK FENCE NEWSLETTER
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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>13 days until The Tour de FasTracks
Bike Event
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>The "W" Line Opens in
236 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 Sunday Edition, September 02, 2012. |
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West Corridor, Denver & Region
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TheDenverPost Editorial
2nd-Year Success for Pro Challenge
We hope the 2013 effort builds on the momentum from this year and that "America's Race" calls Colorado home for years to come.
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National
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Energy and Environment in the GOP platform: They Said What?
By Lisa Hymas, Aug 30, 2012
We read the whole 62-page Republican platform so you don't have to. No need to thank us. Well, actually, you really should thank us. Thank us profusely, please.
READ MORE...StreetsBlog Well, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney declined to get into details about his plans for the nation's transportation system during his big speech in Tampa... Romney has been tight-lipped about actual policy recommendations throughout his campaign, although a platform released by the GOP this week was basically a worst case scenario for sustainable transportation...
DC.StreetsBlog
They Totally Went There: GOP Outlines Extremist Transpo Views in Platform
By Tanya Snyder, Aug 29, 2012
In all issue areas, the Republicans outdid themselves on far-right-wing pandering with their new platform, approved yesterday in Tampa. Transportation is no exception.StreetsBlog
Now No Republican Will Ever Ride a Bus Again By Tanya Snyder, Aug 29, 2012
You've got to hand it to the Republicans. Even the party of transit haters had to admit that the only logical way to move delegates around in the congested streets around the GOP convention was by bus. And they would have been right, except they had a little snafu that will undoubtedly convince everyone involved that transit is, indeed, an utter failure.READ MORE...
TheAtlantic
Our Low-Wage Recovery
By Jordan Weissman, Aug 31, 2012 But there's another painful dimension to this recovery that's gotten far less attention than the lingering jobs deficit. It's the fact that most of the jobs we lost offered decent pay, while the ones we're adding are mostly low-level, service sector positions. Middle class jobs have been replaced by McJobs.
READ MORE...
TheAtanticCities
The Anti-Environmentalist Roots of the Agenda 21 Conspiracy Theory
By Llewellyn Hinkes Jones, Aug 29, 2012
Agenda 21 conspiracy theories - those that posit the United Nations is preparing to take over the United States by way of bike lanes and smart growth...How else to describe the people that appear at local town council meetings with bullhorns and placards decrying an international socialist conspiracy in local zoning codes?
READ MORE...
JoeUrban
Want to Slow Traffic? Put Stuff in the Way.
One of my favorite comedy bits is Robin Williams having an imaginary conversation with a Scotsman about how the Scots invented golf... Whenever I'm trying to explain traffic calming, it is that last part where he describes about "putting s#!t in the way" that sticks in my mind. TreeHugger
Google Adds Voice Guided Biking Navigation for Cyclists
For the last few years, the digital wisdom and guidance of Google Maps has helped cyclists throughout the U.S. and Canada arrive to their destinations safely and efficiently. But now that remarkable tool has hit a major milestone, and is getting a major upgrade.
READ MORE...TheAtlanticCities
Multigenerational Communities or Bust
By Sarah Goodyear, Aug 30, 2012 I'm raising a New Yorker. A city kid through and through. It's not by accident that this is happening: I grew up in the city myself (Manhattan), and so it has always seemed to me like an obvious place to raise my own child. He was born, 10-plus years ago, in a downtown Manhattan hospital, and came home to the house in Brooklyn where he has lived ever since. READ MORE...TheAtlanticCities
Do More Car Accidents Happen in Bigger Cities?
By Nate Berg, Aug 29, 2012
The more people a city has the more cars it has and the more crashes it has, right? That would seem an easy logic to believe, but according to newly released data, that assumption is wrong. |
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International (when available)
| SmithsonianMag
Rebranding Amsterdam & What it Means to Rebrand a City. By Jimmy Stamp, Aug 30, 2012 Amsterdam has long been a required stop on any European Grand Tour. But in the early 21st century, the city of Amsterdam noticed its position on various international rankings-top tourist destinations, top convention cities, etc.-had fallen due to increased competition from other destinations in Europe...
READ MORE...
ThisBigcity
San Paulo Bicycle Library Brings Books to the City's Homeless
By Davi Padilha Bonela, Aug 27, 2012
If good ideas transcend boundaries, this one does it by bicycle. That is, by Biciclotecca, a bicycle that carries a small library through the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The project is a creative and dynamic way to encourage reading, especially among people who live on the streets, because libraries typically require identification and proof of residence to loan books; documents which homeless people don't have. |
| Sunday's Film (when available)
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Ok, the following is kind of an advertisement, kind of of a non-profit pitch, and a whole lot of common sense. See for yourself.
MomentumMag
Wandertec Tuba Bike Trailer for Car-Sized Errands The Wandertec Tuba Bike Trailer will be a robust trailer for those who aspire to use their car less, or want to be car-free. For people who shop for groceries, make trips to the hardware store, haul supplies to soccer practice. Ted Johnson, marketer for Bike Shop Hub, and the blogger and editor at Commute by Bike explains:
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Things you need to know along the West Corridor
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>Lakewood, Wed., Sep 12, 7:30am to 8:30am
Ward 2 Lakewood City Council members, Cindy Baroway & Scott Koop will meet with residents and respectful guests for their monthly outreach meeting. The future light rail line runs across the NW section of their Ward. 40 West Arts District Office, 1560 Teller St., Lakewood, Co. 80214
>Lakewood, Sat., Sep 15, 9am to close.
Ward 1 Lakewood City Council members, Karen Kellen & Ramey Johnson will meet with residents and respectful guests for their monthly outreach meeting. The future light rail line runs across the northern section of their Ward. 40 West Arts District Office, 1560 Teller St., Lakewood, Co. 80214.
SEPTEMBER 21-23RD, 2012
Denver Union 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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Residential Real Estate Agents
Who Get the "Big Picture" of Transit Oriented Living
| Jim Smith
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Things You Need to Know Around the Region
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Tour de FasTracks - West Rail Ride Bike Event
Saturday, Sept 15, 2012
Calling all cyclists in Golden, Lakewood, west Denver.
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.
FasTracks West Corridor Light Rail Artwork
Call for Entries Information
RTD is committed to increasing Art and is pleased to announce a series of commissioned art opportunities on the FasTracks West Rail Line, scheduled to open on April 26, 2013. We are currently commissioning public artwork for the following stations:
>Denver, Thursday, November 8th, 2012, 7:00am to 10:30am
The Transit Alliance Presents the Transit Event of 2012
Union Station:
Community Trans-Formation
Celebrating the Vision of FasTracks Coming to Life
The Ritz Carlton Denver, $75 - Individual, $700 - Table
Stay tuned for reservation details
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| The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of William A. Spriggs and no one else. |
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