Pretty in Pots
Downtown flower power!
Last year, Phancy Pheasant owner Susan Godec lamneted the Downtown didn't have enough flowers. This year she did something about it - in a HUGE way.
Godec found the massive pots, designed the mini-gardens that would go in them, and rallied for help. Timberline Landscaping unloaded and placed the monster containers. C&C Sand donated all the potting soil and gravel. Our fabulous BID Crew was instrumental in helping get all the pots placed and filled with dirt and gravel. DDA and the BID provided funding, as did the following donors. Please be sure to thank them for making Downtown even more attractive.
Ann and Kent Bowman
Boulder Street Gallery
 Cleon Curtiss
Concept Restaurants
Insurance Technologies
Integrated Lawn Care, Inc.
Jack Miller Jewelry
Jennings & Jennings Real Estate
Johannes Hunter Jewelers
Kirk and Hill
Putogether LLC
Thomas Livingston
The Phancy Pheasant
 Douglas Reid DDS
Runner's Roost
Rutledge's
Savory Spice
Terra Verde
What's in Store
Zeezo's
Zerbe Jewelers
The giant pots are a pilot project and will hopefully expand in future years. |
Green and clean
Emerald Isle maintaining Acacia Park
In tough economic times, it's great to see so many private and corporate citizens stepping up to keep Downtown clean and attractive. Our hats are off this month to
Emerald Isle Landscaping.
Emerald Isle approached the City of Colorado Springs last winter about volunteering maintenance of Acacia Park, Downtown's first town square and now a continuing focal point. A deal was reached in late March. Ever since, Emerald Isle services the park twice a week, doing playground maintenance, trash removal, mowing, blowing, edging and trimming.
Emerald Isle has been in business since 1977, when teachers Bill and Sandy Lamberton decided to start a landscape business to provide summer income and opportunities for their students. Today they have more than 100 employees and 40 vehicles. Contact them at (719) 434-8447 for your next landscaping project-and be sure to say thanks for keeping Acacia Park looking good. |
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Downtown Puzzler
History meets modern day touches in this 1911 historic building. These upper-level flower boxes are the newest touch. What and where is it? |
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See for yourself
Art on the Streets
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, of course, but three particular pieces in the 2010 Art on the Streets exhibit really grabbed the attention of Star Juror Jan Schall. A $25,000 prize pool was split between the artists who created them.
Michael Brohman of Denver nabbed first prize for his "Earth Mover," now located at the southwest corner of Colorado and Nevada Avenues.
Second prize went to local artist Chris Weed for his "Spores," installed on the north side grounds of The Pioneers Museum.
John King of Lyons, CO took home third place. His "Silver Snapdragon" can be found in the Pikes Peak Avenue median, between Tejon and Nevada.
Of course, all eight pieces selected for the show are winners in their own right. Curious? Download the walking tour brochure from www.downtown80903.com and go see for yourself. |
Yummy fun
For the foodies among us
They're new, they're hot (or cool) and Trip Advisor ranks them highly. Who are they? A clever new business: Colorado Springs Food Tours. This new company is offering three-hour walking food tours of Downtown Colorado Springs. Along the way, you'll also learn about area history, too.
Tours include visits to six or seven area restaurants and occur on Fridays, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. or on Saturdays, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A time-limited $49 per person price is currently being offered.
For more information, go to www.coloradospringsfoodtours.com or find them on Facebook. |
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Puzzled no more
We've got answers
The larger beauty behind this detail shot is the Dern Building. You likely know it as the home of Sonterra Grill or Slayton's Barbecue. Since purchasing the Italian Renaissance style building in 2007, owners Randy and Liz Price have worked to return the property to its historic glory. Awnings, signage and new lighting were added in 2008. This year, flower boxes under the second story arched windows add style and softness to the façade. A special watering system was built to ensure continued color and health of the plants.
Stroll down to 26 S. Tejon Street and look up! |
Big Screen, big scenes on the plaza
Free movies and concerts
Two great outdoor options for Fridays.
Enjoy high-energy noon concerts on the Palmer Center Plaza, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. per the following schedule.
July 23 - Wendy Woo
Aug. 6 - Dotsero
Aug. 20 - Phat Daddy & the Phat Horn Doctors
Forget the nostalgic drive-in and create new memories with free Friday night walk-in, outdoor movies. Every other week, after the sun goes down, 9 p.m., head to the Palmer Center plaza in front of the Antlers Hilton and catch a flick. Complimentary popcorn!
July 16 - Ferris Bueller's Day Off
July 30 - Star Trek
Aug. 13 - The Goonies
Aug. 27 - How to Train your Dragon
Brought to you by The Antlers Hilton, Cushman & Wakefield, and the Downtown Development Authority. For more information call (719) 955-5600. |
Ever Wonder ... How do the sidewalks get clean?
Little pressure washer fairies do it while the city sleeps. Well, almost!
Every summer our dedicated BID crew routinely pressure washes the sidewalks in the Downtown core. Intrepid reporters Jacque Stanley ("J") asked Garry Moore ("G") a few questions about this labor-intensive task.
J: Gary, what time do you have to get to work to start washing the sidewalks?
G: We start at 3:30 a.m. and are off the sidewalks no later than 7:00 a.m.
J: Do you do this alone?
G: No, it takes two employees. First we sweep the sidewalk, and pick up any debris and cigarette butts. These things can clog our filters, reducing the pressure needed to wash.
J: What are you washing with? Soap?
G: No, just hot water - no chemicals. And we have to pick up all the water, too.
J: Pick it up? Why? How?
G: The City and environmental agencies require us to collect the water we use, so it doesn't go into the storm drain system.
J: Isn't that what happens when it rains anyway? No, don't answer that! So which blocks get cleaned first?
G: The dirtiest, normally in front of the bars on Tejon Street.
J: Does this system pick up gum?
G: No, we have to manually scrape it up.
J: What kind of equiptment are you using?
G: It's a Steele Eagle Fury Vacuum system to capture the water, a water delivery system and filtration tank. The hoses are heavy duty. All of this is in an enclosed trailer to keep the noise level low. The BID purchased the equiptment in 2009.
J: So what is the timeline to get the sidewalks cleaned?
G: Depending on staff availability, it should take us to September. We have more landscaping tasks this year due to City cutbacks. We are working hard to get it all done.
J: Thanks Garry. We really appreciate all the work the BID crew does for Downtown Colorado Springs. |
You snooze, you lose
U.S. Women's Open 2011 at The Broadmoor
So it's a full year away, you say. Lovers of the game know that's a nano-second. In other words, if you want to volunteer and/or you want tickets-better get on the ball now. Visit www.2011uswomensopen.com to learn more.
The famed golf tournament will be held next July 4-10 at The Broadmoor. For a limited time this summer, pricing of the Trophy Club Package, 4-Pack and Championship Round dailies have been reduced.
For local merchants, it's also not too soon to consider and start planning what you might do to attract all those visitors who'll be in town. Did someone say façade improvements? This could also be a great reason to finally submit a DDA grant application to help you get the job done. (See next story!) |
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 might include streetscape improvements, business or residential façade upgrades or renovations, new cultural events, etc.
There are two grant cycles in 2010; the first one closed this past April but the second cycle is still open. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on September 24, 2010.
Applicants must be located within or doing business within the DDA boundaries, and must also demonstrate an ability to meet a dollar-for-dollar funding match.
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 contact Jacque at (719) 886-0088. |
For the love of history
Garden party at McWilliams House
Restoration of the McWilliams House begins this summer and you can get a sneak preview, along with a talk from the project architect, on Sunday, July 25, noon to 3 p.m. at 601 N. Tejon Street.
This historic property, now housing the parish offices of Grace and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, was designed by Augustus J. Smith-who also designed the original El Paso County Courthouse, buildings on the Colorado College campus, and residences in Downtown neighborhoods.
The building's sagging, two-story porches, lonic columns and other exterior features will be restored, thanks to funding from the Colorado Historical Society, the DDA, and private donors.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Lilly at (719) 579-0705. |
From the Downtown Snoopster
Square comes full circle
The Old Depot Square is totally cool, because its evolution reflects the city's history. Here's Part One of the story.
Chapter One: In 1870, General William Jackson Palmer and partner Dr. William Bell started building the Denver-Rio Grande Railroad, intending it to connect Denver and Mexico. But the tracks stopped short when the gunslingers and politicians paid by DRGR lost to those hired by competitor Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.
Chapter Two: In 1871, the first passenger train stopped at the Old Depot site; later, the Depot itself was constructed. One century later, in 1971, the last passenger train pulled out, but the Depot remained.
Chapter Three: In the 1970s, Giuseppe's Restaurant opened in the abandoned Depot. The Ochs brothers developed Old Depot Square next to it, and continue to preserve its historical features. Engine 168 now sits outside the Depot, as do original City gas streetlights. Inside Giuseppe's are the original ticket office and loads of railroad memorabilia. Local railroad buffs, the Pikes Peak "N"Gineers, meet here.
Chapter Now: After chugging along through an Urban Renewal attempt to sweep the site and a nay vote for a convention center, the Square now runs full speed. Joann and Ed Colt have transferred ownership of Giuseppe's back to the Ochs family, and Chef Brent Beavers is taking over the kitchen.
Who calls the Old Depot Square home these days?
Accents 635-4894
Allstate 471-9271
Brooks Financial Planning 492-1833
Charlotte's Optical 473-8066
Downtown Boutique 633-5300
Giuseppe's Restaurant 635-3111
Needle Nook 630-8299
Pikes Peak "N"Gineers 550-1780
Stauffer and Sons Construction 492-2639
The Great Southwest 471-7772
VisuElleClinic 228-9488
William Ernest Brown 635-9757
And we'll tell you all about them next month in Part Two! |
Member Level - $500.00
Partners Council - $2,500.00
Executive Council - $5,000.00 |
Major Sponsors
of the Downtown Partnership
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