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Changing of the guard
Butlin takes the reins
There is new leadership at the Downtown Partnership. Ron Butlin, recently of Classic Companies, assumed duties as the organization's Interim Executive Director in late October. Butlin replaces Beth Kosley, who left the 13-year post to head up Woodland Park's Downtown Development Authority.
 With a 28-year career in finance, business and real estate development, Butlin has no qualms about crossing over into the nonprofit sector - and is, in fact, passionate about it.
"I've always been drawn to urban spaces, and I absolutely love Downtown Colorado Springs," he said. "Serving on the Partnership Board, and heading up the Imagine Downtown Residential Committee gave me a much-desired downtown connection, and provided a tremendous learning ground. With Classic, I also served as the point of contact for [the proposed] Palmer Village in the Southwest Urban Renewal Area. So I have familiarity with key players and processes that should translate well."
Not that Butlin's interest in Downtown is all business. He lives with his wife of 28 years, Laura, and their 13-year-old son, Gabriel, in the Old North End. (Their older children, Ashley and Evan, are both headed into medical careers in California.) The Butlins marvel at their easy proximity to work and play. With the downtown core less than 2.5 miles from home, a mere 5 minute drive, the family can decide "spur of the moment" to shop, dine, attend events or simply enjoy walking around Downtown.
"Being able to keep the car parked and walk so many places is so great. It's a big part of Downtown's allure," Butlin said.
Getting a good lay of the organizational land and strengthening key relationships are at the top of Butlin's executive to-do list. He's focusing on gaining additional familiarity with the many DP, BID, DDA and Community Ventures committees and discerning how their work aligns with the broader Downtown vision. He's also "out there shaking a lot of hands."
While a stalled economy isn't leaving Downtown untouched, Butlin believes area businesses are holding their own and "we're really at the cusp of seeing some great things happen." The Business Improvement District, The Downtown Development Authority, the Imagine Downtown Plan, and the City's embrace of new form-based Code, he says, have and will continue to position the area to progress even in tough times.
"Hundreds of people coalesce in one way or another to make Downtown happen," Butlin said. "It's exciting to be a formal part of it. I see that a lot of my work is serving as the thread that runs between all."
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11th Annual Mayor's Breakfast
"We come together to get things done."
To accommodate a record crowd on November 6th, tables at the Edith Gaylord-Kinney Cornerstone Arts Center spread just beyond the meeting area, nearly into the lobby. About 220 individuals came to celebrate Downtown's 2008 successes.
The 11th Annual Mayor's Breakfast commenced as Downtown Partnership President Dick Celeste welcomed attending dignitaries, acknowledged several DP past presidents, and noted the departure of longtime Executive Director Beth Kosley and arrival of Ron Butlin as Interim Executive Director. In appreciation of her service, Kosley received an original framed photograph by Downtown supporter and photo enthusiast Chuck Murphy.
 Celeste highlighted some of the major accomplishments of the year - advancement of the Imagine Downtown Plan as an official City document, completed conversion of Tejon Street to two-way traffic, the first year of DDA Challenge Grants, and the City's move toward achieving a more functional development-based Code. As well, and not unexpectedly, Celeste - whose day job is President of Colorado College -tooted the horn for completion of the Cornerstone facility. The new multipurpose campus arts center, among other north Downtown facilities, positions the area, he said, "as the Uptown Downtown Arts District."
Despite some perceived local setbacks from the election two days prior, and despite mounting challenges in funding City programs and operations, Mayor Lionel Rivera was decidedly upbeat in his message.
"More and more is happening Downtown," Rivera said, citing a 32 percent DASH rider increase, streetscape improvements on Nevada Avenue, new housing plans along Monument Creek and Downtown
retail expansion. "We come together to get things done."
 "We're fortunate we have a community that dreams big, that partners with each other," Rivera added, referencing the U.S. Olympic Committee's decision to remain in the city and relocate its headquarters to Downtown. "This project reflected a tremendous team effort. It will bring a new vibrancy as well as national and international visitors."
"Seeing that crane at work [on the new USOC offices] every day, from my office window - it's absolutely beautiful," Rivera concluded.
Jim Scherr, CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee, also spoke and shared the Committee's excitement over its new headquarters. He said that modern Olympic ideals - to create a better, more peaceful world for competition - could not have a better home. "As you watch athletes like Michael Phelps and others who have trained here, feel great pride in your contribution," Scherr said.
"Our new brand message, 'Amazing awaits,' also applies to Downtown Colorado Springs."
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Year in review
2008 Annual Report
The 2008 Annual Report of the Downtown Partnership is now available. The Report highlights key 2008 activities and projects of the Downtown Partnership and its partner organizations, the Greater Downtown  Colorado Springs Business Improvement District, the Downtown Development Authority and Community Ventures, Inc. Also included are donor and member lists, as well as financial data and membership information. Copies of the Report can be obtained by calling 886-0088. An online version will be posted in the coming weeks.
Our sincere apologies to David Lord Investments, Case International, Pikes Peak Arts Council and CSNA Architects for the unintentional omission of their names on our Member list! |
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'Tis the season
Help fuel holiday hope
The Gazette-El Pomar Foundation Empty Stocking Fund kicks off its 25th annual campaign on Thanksgiving Day.
 As a true community collaboration, the fund's success is due, in part, to partnerships formed between Gazette Charities, El Pomar Foundation and the Bruni Foundation. Thanks to matching donations from these organizations, each gift grows up to 63 percent. Every dollar donated goes directly to 14 local nonprofit health and human service agencies on the front lines of helping people in crisis and assisting others in attaining self-sufficiency.
Bring your cash to the annual Festival of Lights Parade on December 6 and donate to one of many Empty Stocking Fund elves who will be marching along the parade route. Or you can make a secure donation online at www.FillAnEmptyStocking.org.
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'Tis the season
Enjoy it Downtown!
December 6:
Festival of Lights Parade. 5:50 p.m. The 24th annual winter holiday parade starts at St. Vrain St. and heads south along Tejon to Vermijo.
Band Wassail. 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Carolers in Victorian attire will meander the Downtown core.
December 13 and 20:
Christmas Brass. 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. More traveling holiday sounds as these performers also stroll through the district.
All season long:
A beautifully decorated Business Improvement District! Thanks to BID manager Beth Ortiz and her busy crew, holiday decorations will be finalized by Thanksgiving!
The BID folks are mounting blue and white shooting stars on light poles, hanging thematic banners, and stringing LED rope lights and shimmery garlands below. It all makes for a festive atmosphere sure to get your holiday cheer going.
 Gingerbread House Creations on display, storefront, 115 N. Tejon. Four teams of 'iron' chefs competed to build the most magical gingerbread houses ever during the November 8th Masterpiece Chef Challenge, part of the Colorado Springs Child Nursery Center's 14th Annual Gingerbread & Jazz Gala. The display also features 19 smaller gingerbread houses created by Child Nursery Centers' students and teachers. Thanks to The Equity Group for its donation of space for the display!
Fabulous, one-of-a-kind Downtown shopping and dining! Find that perfect gift, break bread with friends and family, or just take in the festive holiday ambience.
For additional holiday events, be sure to click the left column links in this newsletter for the Pikes Peak Center, Colorado College, Pioneers Museum, Fine Arts Center and World Arena.
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Mix it up
DP Holiday
Membership Mixer
Seize the season by enjoying a festive Downtown Partnership Holiday Membership and New Member Welcome Mixer on Thursday, December 4, 5:30 to 7 p.m. at The Harvey House, 555 E. Pikes Peak Avenue.
Hosted by The University of the Rockies, the mixer will include light hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer, and a cheery good time. Please RSVP to 886-0088 or terrihuggins@downtowncs.com by November 30th.
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Powering up
A little inconvenience to improve the grid
Downtown patrons may have noticed (and probably groaned if they did) that portions of Pikes Peak Avenue have periodically had interrupted accessibility this month. And all for good reason.
Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) has been working hard on the Downtown Power Improvement Program, completing electric equipment upgrades to ensure reliability for downtown customers.
While work is largely progressing ahead of schedule, CSU advises motorists to avoid Pikes Peak, particularly between Cascade and Tejon, through the end of November. Major project construction is expected to be completed before Thanksgiving, while final cleanup and landscape work will be addressed next spring.
Questions and concerns can be directed to Kristin Flanner, CSU Issues Manager, at 668-8717
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Return of the Streetcar?
Looking forward by looking back
 Three-quarters of a century have passed since the last clickety-clack of the streetcar was heard in Downtown Colorado Springs. With a big symphony of "if's" that could change - although today the sound would be more of an electrical hum.
Kenosha, Wisconsin has done it. So has Portland, Oregon. And of course steadfast San Francisco never let go of them. For those cities, says Rich Guy, DDA board member, business owner and big time Downtown proponent, the utility of the streetcar has been an incredible economic boon.
Portland, which Guy has visited to learn the details, boasts of some $8 billion generated in economic development, including more than 10,000 new housing units. Even Kenosha, with a much smaller population of 90,000, benefited with 500 new housing units and $150 million in economic development after building just a 1.7 mile streetcar loop that connects downtown, a transit center and regional passenger rail.
So why not here in Colorado Springs?
The DDA, Downtown Partnership, Colorado College and Mountain Metropolitan Transit have forged a coalition to explore the return of the streetcar to Colorado Springs. The group is hiring a consultant - via federal funds and private donations - to study the feasibility of an electric streetcar line running from the South Tejon Park 'n Ride lot north to UCCS, with service through Downtown. The study could be completed as early as next spring.
Want to learn more or get involved? Contact Val Snider at 260-6887 or valsnider@comcast.net.
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From the Downtown Snoopster
Thanksgetting
In this season of giving thanks, I, the Snoopster, was curious about what downtowners are grateful for. That is, I wanted to know what they get out of living, shopping, dining, and doing business downtown. To find out, I spent a Saturday morning perched at Pikes Perk, notepad in hand.
Downtown Resident: What I get is cheap transportation. I fill up my Civic every couple of months and buy a pair of Nike Shocks for walking to work and running errands. With $250 for gas and $150 for shoes at Colorado Running, my annual transportation cost is $400.
Business Consultant: I get the convenience of the Downtown Dentist. One day I chipped a tooth before meeting an important client, so I ran to Dr. Julia Rohleder, and she repaired the tooth immediately.
Future Resident: I get reassurance that "green" is catching on here, like the Bijou project that's planned across from Acacia Park. I'm relocating from California, and The Bijou sounds like a place I might want to live.
Attorney: What I get out of downtown is a chance to get out of my office and into Monument Valley Park for a noontime run.
New Mother: I get to lose weight. Thanks to Title Nine, I no longer avoid going to the gym because I don't have anything to wear.
Savvy Shopper: I get to please my eco-conscious friends with earth friendly gifts from Velez's.
Four-Eyes Fashionista: I get to be glamorous in my glasses from Eye Caliber Sunglasses, Ltd.
Palmer High School Teacher: I get to walk my students to exhibits at the Fine Arts Center and court sessions at the Justice Center. Funding for field trips is really minimal, but that's not a problem at my school because of our proximity to civic and cultural institutions.
Resident: I get to walk to events at the Pikes Peak Center without having to park in a claustrophobic, labyrinthine underground garage. I get home before the stuck-in-line drivers even pull out onto the street.
And what do I, the Snoopster, get out of being downtown? Don't get me started: I have a word limit. But I will say that I have profound, eternal gratitude for the sweet potato fries at the Metropolitan, the spinach omelet at Flavors, and the avocado tostada at 3 Hermanos.
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Welcome, New and Renewing Members
New Members
MEMBER LEVEL
University of the Rockies
ASSOCIATE LEVEL
Senger Design Group
Renewing Members
PARTNERS COUNCIL
Murphy Constructors of Colorado Springs
SUSTAINING MEMBER
Case International Company
ENT Federal Credit Union
Fountain Colony
S & R Construction, Inc.
US Bank
MEMBER LEVEL
Academy Bank N.A.
Michael Collins Architects
Colorado Springs Credit Union
CSNA Architects
The Gazette
David H. Lord
The Melting Pot
The Sound Shop
Vaughn & Demuro
Vintage Communities, Inc.
ASSOCIATE LEVEL
Equity Management LLC
Martin Harper, P.C.
Mountain Chalet
Old North End Neighborhood
Pikes Peak Arts Council
Sparks Willson Borges Brandt & Johnson, P.C.
The Warehouse Restaurant
FRIEND LEVEL
Peak Vista Community Health Centers
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Comments or questions? Please let us know! Email info@downtowncs.com or call (719) 886-0088.
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