Downtown Partnership August 2010 Newsletter

Thanks in part to a $6,500 DDA Challenge Grant, The Antlers Place Antlers Ribbon Cuttine child care center has completed its first ever major renovation. The historical facility behind the Antlers Hilton Hotel now sports a new roof, windows, flooring, stairs, playground equipment, exterior resurfacing and landscaping. The DDA grant was earmarked for painting and a new building sign.

Antlers Place was originally developed by the Junior League in 1953. Part of the larger entity, Early Connections Learning Centers (formerly Child Nursery Centers), the center is a vital resource for families who live and work Downtown. It's an economic and social win for the whole community: when their children are well cared for, families are stronger and parents are more focused and productive on the job.

Early Connections has provided working families child care since 1897. Today the organization s cares for more than 500 children daily, ages infant to 14 years, in four centers, three school-age sites and a network of family child care homes. To learn more, visit www.earlyconnections.org.

Can you guess?

Downtown Puzzler

Peek-a-boo! Where will you find these charming little eyes?

Parking plus

Movie minus a ticket!

Downtown moviegoers, delight-although it's probably not what you're thinking!

The City's Parking Enterprise is offering a test perk through the end of the year. Meters in the one-block median on Pikes Peak between Tejon and Nevada will switch over from a two-hour maximum to a four-hour limit at 2 p.m. each day. That means folks taking in a movie at Kimball's can purchase enough meter time to avoid a parking ticket.

Of course, another even more affordable option is to park in one of the nearby garages! For more information about Downtown parking, visit http://www.downtown80903.com/ParkingandTransportation.aspx.

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 fa�ade 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.

Puzzled no more
August Puzzler

We've got answers

Why, at the pumpkin patch, of course! Discover this little bronzed girl delighting in the pumpkin being handed to her by the late, beloved Nick Venetucci-also captured in bronze by renowned local sculptor Fred Darpino. The sculpture and real pumpkin patch are on the grounds of the Pioneers Museum.

Arts and antiques
Labor Day festival

Another option for how to spend at least the Saturday portion of your Labor Day weekend: an arts and antique festival at the corner of Wahsatch and Colorado on Saturday, September 4th, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Expect up to 40 booths of works from area antique shops, Cottonwood Center for the Arts artists, and the newly opened Asian Antiques at 103 S. Wahsatch. For more information, contact Gregor Huesgen at (719) 694-8237.

Seeing the difference

HOT up for international award

The CSPD Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) is one of six finalists for an international award for outstanding solutions-focused community policing.

The Goldstein Award will be announced by the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing at its annual conference in Arlington, Texas, in late September.

HOT has been the cornerstone entity for peaceful and resourceful dismantling of the Downtown creek area homeless camps, as well as answering ongoing calls for service and maintaining friendly, trusted and "we're here to help you" relationships with those in need.

HOT results "by the numbers" is impressive:

� housing for 574 homeless individuals

� 145 bus tickets

� 131 homeless employed

� 105 homeless moved to self-sufficiency

� 379 documented calls for service

� 188 cover calls

� 2,797 contacts

� 1,216 referrals

� 334 verbal warnings

� 42 felony arrests

� 101 misdemeanor arrests

� 51 written warnings for camping

� NO written citations or arrests for violation of no-camping ordinance

"This is the definition of community policing," says DP Executive Director Ron Butlin. "The team went to all the camps, spent time getting to know the people living in them and genuinely attempted to help-in any form needed. We owe them gratitude for treating the homeless population with dignity, for saving our community significant dollars in hospital, police and jail costs, and avoiding lawsuits other communities face for violations of civil liberties."

From the Downtown Snoopster
Part 2: Old Depot Square

(Last month the Snoopster clued readers in on the history of the Old Depot Square. This month, she tells us about its current residents.)
The Old Depot Square has a trainload of businesses to help you one-stop-shop you life.