Streetscape Improvements

Thanks to funding from the Parking Enterprise, Cascade Avenue is getting its share of Business Improvement District streetscape updates. According to City Parking Administrator Greg Warnke, the east side stretch of Cascade between Platte and Pikes Peak Avenues is getting a facelift. Look for nicer sidewalks, bump outs, lights, pavers and more. Warnke expects minimal traffic disruption - and only between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Work on these streetscape improvements should be complete by the end of November.

Can you guess?

Downtown Puzzler

Yes, it's detail from artwork. But this is bigger-than-life artwork. Part of the artist-within-the-painting's subject matter is a major clue. Can you guess what and where and why it is?

Grin and bear it

Grizz at Home Downtown

No doubt you've seen him, hanging out in the Pikes Peak Avenue median across from Phantom Canyon. Unlike his live counterparts, this fella is a sweetheart. Grizz II by local sculptor Richard Jagoda was recently purchased by Community Ventures, Inc. and will soon be gifted to the City as another permanent work of art. Grizz initially debuted during the 2000 Art on the Streets exhibition and has remained Downtown ever since.

Richard Jagoda is a Colorado Springs native and has always enjoyed art and working with his hands. As a boy, he developed an interest in sculpture when he lived in Japan after WWII. Jagoda holds a Bachelors of Fine Art from Colorado State University, has taught design and drawing at CSU, and has taught art at Durango High and North Junior High. 

Jagoda works in both stone and steel. Another of his sculptures, Bison Americanus, was part of the inaugural year for Art on the Streets in 1999. Since then, more than 180 pieces of sculpture have been displayed throughout Downtown with nearly 100 regional, national and international artists participating in the program. Sixteen pieces of sculpture have been purchased by Community Ventures and gifted to the City for their permanent collection.

Really terrific architects?

How To Build a Better Mixer

So to speak, anyway. Many thanks to RTA Architects for hosting a fantastic Downtown Partnership membership mixer this month.

Located in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs, RTA is comprised of a diverse pool of architects, intern architects, designers, and technical support staff. Originally founded in 1975, RTA operates by the guidance of its current principals Randy Thorne, Perry Lewis, and John Hoelscher.

The multi-disciplined staff includes registered architects and LEED® accredited professionals. RTA provides technical expertise for a broad range of related architectural services including:

• Feasibility studies including site selection and    comparative analysis
• Site master planning
• Facility programming
• Adaptive re-use of existing buildings
• Interior design
• Environmental graphics, signage and way-finding

RTA works to maintain the lead as southern Colorado's leading architecture firm in healthcare and education. Check out some of their amazing projects at

www.rtaarchitects.com/work/index.cfm 
 

Puzzled no more

We've got answers

This massive mural canvassing the side of a building just south of First United Methodist Church depicts only part of what goes on inside of it: music, dance, art and a host of creative endeavor. What you don't see but can discover for yourself is that The Mission Arts Center is a unique place fostering a deeper spirituality through the healing power of the arts.