Downtown Partnership March 2010 Newsletter

It might seem unlikely, but growing a rooftop garden IS possible in Colorado Springs. The City's Green Team is helping spread word of the "how" at a March 25 Green Bag Lunch 'n Learn at the City Administration Building, 30 S. Nevada. Bring your own lunch and enjoy a presentation from 12:11 to 12:49 p.m.

Weston Solutions, Inc. will share information about the use of its GreenGrid® system-a modular system that works on flat or low-sloped roofs on new or existing buildings.

In addition to aesthetics, green rooftops have many potential benefits. They help increase building energy efficiency, reduce heat island effect, decrease storm water (while increasing its quality), improve air quality, increase roof life and increase acoustic insulation. The use of native plants can also provide a comfortable atmosphere for humans and animals!

Attendees have a chance to win a door prize - a colorful tote bag made from recycled downtown banners. For more information, contact the City's Sustainability Coordinator, Carrie McCausland at (719) 385-2746 or email cmccausland@springsgov.com.

Take the challenge

Apply for a DDA Challenge Grant

What are you waiting for? The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is seeking creative projects that will enhance one or more goals from the Imagine Downtown Plan. Types of projects (spelled out in detail in the application packet) might include streetscape improvements, business or residential façade upgrades or renovations, new cultural events, etc.

There are two grant cycles in 2010: one in April and another in September. For the first cycle, applications are due by 4 p.m. on April 23, 2010. Deadline for the fall cycle is 4 p.m. September 24, 2010.

Applicants must be located within or doing business within the DDA boundaries, and must also demonstrate ability to meet a dollar-for-dollar funding match. Grants sizes typically range between $2,500 and $25,000.

A Grant Workshop will be held on March 31, 8 to 9:30 a.m., in the Alamo Annex Conference Room at 102 S. Tejon. Reservations are recommended. Grant application materials may be picked up at the Downtown Partnership offices, 111 S. Tejon, Suite 309 OR downloaded from www.downtown80903.com. For more information or to reserve a workshop spot, contact Jacque at (719) 886-0088.

Delicieux!

New Downtown dining options

Has your palate been on the lookout for new temptations? Two new Downtown restaurants could well pull you out of the culinary doldrums.

Crepe Francaise at 321 N. Tejon is a recent venture of Florence Reinhardt featuring an expansive menu of both sweet and savory traditional French crepes. With Chef James Davis and assistant Matt Carter, both formerly of The Blue Star, and pastry chef Marcel Chene, the magic that comes out of the kitchen is phenomenal. C'est magnifique!

On the savory side, imagine the delicate flavors of sautéed chicken in a Mornay sauce, salmon with peppers, tomato and tarragon sour cream, or seasonal chef specials incorporating lamb shanks or cassoulet. Vegetarian crepes with fresh spinach and mushrooms, among others, are also available. If your tooth tends toward the sweet, you won't be disappointed; the options are many, including chocolate gateau, fresh fruits, and a not-so-traditional Crepe Suzette.

Early reviews are highly favorable. According to Warren Epstein of the Gazette, "This place could fill the niche left by La Petite Maison."

Crepe Francaise serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and while its menu is heavily tied to its name, dinner specials such as steak au poivre, duck confit and other fine French cuisine are available daily. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday and Monday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Reservations are recommended for Friday and Saturday dinners. The restaurant is also available for special occasions and off-hour bookings. For more information, call (719) 473-6999.

Taste of New Orleans at 333 N. Tejon is owner Beth Mell's latest foray into serving up classic, both down-home and upscale Louisiana fare. Think jambalaya, red beans and rice, gumbo and Po' Boys--and then some. Several varieties of each. Homemade desserts, including the restaurant's signature bread pudding.

A native of New Orleans, Mell is something of a culinary/entertainment/food and beverage nomad. She's called Jamaica, Chicago, New York and L.A. home, among other places. In southern California, she had another New Orleans-style restaurant; in northern CA, if you can imagine it, she opened an eclectic Victorian-cabaret. Having once lived in Aspen, she longed to give Colorado another try. She came to the Springs in 2005, then opened Taste in Old Colorado City for about 18 months before deciding Downtown had more allure. Since opening on Tejon earlier this year, Mell says, "Business is much, much better."

Taste of New Orleans offers catering service, and the restaurant is available for private parties. A dance floor has been carved out and in the near future (once the liquor license comes through), the restaurant will feature live music, too. "Jazz combos, R&B, hopefully some Zydeco, too," Mell adds. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; Sundays and Mondays open at 9 for breakfast. For more information, call (719) 667-7286.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Helping mothers and others

Momart

Looking for a feel-good, do-good promotion to generate traffic into your store this Mother's Day? Consider partnering up with the second annual Momart event. Organizer Gloria Lynch has an ambitious goal of signing

Mom Art
on every Downtown retailer.

An original design by local artist Laura Ben Amots-featuring a woman's face and the words "witness" and "hope"-will be featured on t-shirts for sale over Mother's Day weekend, May 9^th and 10^th. Retailers are asked to showcase and sell the limited edition shirts and donate profits to Momart, which in turn donates to Women Partnering, a project of the Sisters of St. Francis that provides support and referrals to women and children in need.

"Momart offers a creative way to foster community involvement-to create community, and achieve results," Lynch says.

The average income of the hundreds of women served is below poverty level and more than 75 percent have mental health concerns. Women Partnering provides counseling, networking, referrals and more. You can learn more about Women Partnering at www.stfrancis.org/WP/default.aspx.

Participating retailers are provided artwork to use in promotion and for distribution to their email lists; they are recognized in all advertising, and also have the option to extend their donation via "charity shopping" days. Last year, Colorado Coop donated 10 percent of profits on its designated days.

Lynch was still working out the details of t-shirt production and donation at press time. Last year's shirts featured a mix of classic and contemporary fit, with V, crew and U neck variations. For more information about the Mother's Day Momart event, contact Gloria Lynch at (719) 633-0798 or email her at lynchfamilycs@comcast.net.

Delicious and does good

Chef's Gala winners

The 25^th anniversary of the Colorado Springs Chorale's Chef's Gala and Silent Auction on February 21^st was a big hit. The annual event is a competition among more than 20 chefs, and raises funds for the 120-voice auditioned adult community chorus.

Two Downtown culinary treasures took honors this year: The Warehouse Restaurant and Gallery and Garden of the Gods Gourmet Catering, which operates Café 36 at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.

Chef Aaron Johnson of The Warehouse nabbed Second Place in the entrée category for his "Cataloochee Wapiti on Exotic Mushroom Arancini topped with a Smoked Blackberry Barbecue served in a Crocus Cup."

Chef Amy Pontius of Café 36 won this year's People's Award for her "Brule Coconut Crème en Blackened Red Curry Salmon over Bamboo Rice."

For a complete list of the winners in all categories, visit www.cschorale.org.

Newsletter Survey

Our follow-up to your feedback and then some

Downtown Partnership is grateful for the terrific response we've received to our newsletter survey earlier this year. We'll share some of the results here along with a few additional queries to you. Rest assured, we value the input and will be incorporating as much of it as possible in future newsletters.

It was gratifying to learn that:

1. 82.9 percent frequently or always read the newsletter

2. A majority, 77.6 percent, prefers receiving the newsletter monthly

3. Nearly half read more than ¾ of each issue; 27.6 percent read between half and three-quarters.

4. 80.8 percent are very or somewhat satisfied with the newsletter overall

5. 89.3 percent rate newsletter content very or somewhat relevant

When asked what topics you'd like to see more of, 93.3 percent selected Downtown Issues. Receiving substantial votes were Downtown Personalities (54.4 percent) and Local History (51.1 percent). Not surprising, 47.7 percent of respondents want to know more about Downtown dining options and 41.1 percent wanted more entertainment information.

Additionally, 39 people took the time and effort to write in (some at great length) their personal recommendations, idea, and criticisms. Thanks to all of you! We are still combing through these, looking for patterns and innovative ways to incorporate as many ideas as we can.

Now we need you to help us give you what you've asked for! For starters:

--- Send us names of Downtown personalities you'd like profiled

--- Does your Downtown business, building, home, neighbor, or employee/boss have an interesting history? Send us tips and we'll investigate.

As always, we'll continue to cover issues relative to Downtown. If there's something important you feel we've overlooked, let us know. Email your thoughts and ideas to terrihuggins@downtowncs.com.

Can you guess?

Downtown puzzler

Beautiful architectural detail defines this six-story historical structure. Do you know what and where it is?

Sustainability survey

Strong response

The Downtown Partnership extends a big thank you to all who participated in its recent Sustainability Survey. We received a very good response, which has given us a baseline of information that helps us understand how to move the Downtown forward now and for future generations. Additional information will be forthcoming.

Puzzled no more

We've got answers

The unique design and architecture of the old YWCA building at 130 E. Kiowa is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A 2004 Walking Tour Guide, published by the City of Colorado Springs, reveals the property's historical profile.

This building represents the culmination of the efforts of the Young Women's Christian Association, which was initiated locally in 1899. A fundraising campaign began in 1909 and by 1912, this building emerged to provide classrooms, a gymnasium, and dining area, private rooms and space for religious, social and cultural activities. Used as a hospital by the Red Cross during the influenza epidemic of 1918-19, the building also served as the USO center during World War II.

Eclectic in design, the building's architect was Nicholas van den Arend (also the architect for the Van Briggle Pottery Works, 231 West Uintah Street). Representatives from the Van Briggle Art Pottery confirmed that the building's tile was produced by their company. Continuing in its cultural mission until 1971, the building was threatened with demolition until the William A. Simpsons, a local family involved in banking, purchased and rehabilitated it for commercial use.