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Fastracks Map: RTD
Since we are 4 weeks out from Opening Day for the W Line, I think it's time everyone learned more about how to take light rail, especially how much it will cost. I've increased the contrast on the above FasTracks system map so that those of you will have a better idea of your fare zone. Those lucky folks who live in Fare Zone B (like Lakewood, Colorado)
get the best of both directions!
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THE BACK FENCE NEWSLETTER
Will Cease Publication on
April 25, 2013.
There Are 4 Editions Left.
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The Newsletter Featuring Livable Community Items That Readers Value and Highlights of Happenings Along the West Corridor on the RTD W Rail Line Serving Golden, Lakewood & Denver, Colorado.
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Hi Everyone! This is Bill Spriggs and I have found several news articles, links and blogs that I wanted to share along THE BACK FENCE & beyond in the Weekly Edition, March 28, 2013. |
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West Corridor, Denver & Region
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Denver Union Station Tour This Saturday, March 30, 2013
Hosted by Ken Schroeppel
Here's how it works: Head on down to the LoDo side of the historic station at about 9:50 AM-meet at the corner of 17th and Wynkoop. Whoever shows up, that will be our tour group. We'll start promptly at 10:00 AM and conclude at about 11:15 AM at the light rail/mall shuttle station by the Millennium Bridge. The suggested donation for the tour is $10 per person and all proceeds go to the non-profit Student Chapter of the American Planning Association at the University of Colorado Denver, but you are absolutely more than welcome to take the tour whether you make a donation or not.
Check back here Sat morning for any last minute changes[Note to below: This is national news, folks] TheAtlanticCities
After Decades of Sprawl, Density Comes to Denver By Eric Jaffe, Mar 26 2013
Last week transportation officials in Denver made a trial run of the new West Rail Line - a 12-mile, $707 million light rail line expected to serve some 20,000 riders a day. The "W" line holds great promise for Denver's western corridor (except, perhaps, for too much emphasis on park-and-ride facilities), but it has even greater significance for the city at large. It's the first rail line to be finished of the massive "FasTracks" regional transit program that's set to reshape the entire metropolitan area.
READ MORE...
TheDenverPost
Cost of DIA Terminal Project Growing as Construction Progresses
By Kristen Leigh Painter, Mar 27 2013
On the same day officials showcased the progress being made on the South Terminal Redevelopment Program (STRP) at Denver International Airport, city council members approved a budget increase for the project and were told costs could increase further.
READ MORE....[Note to below: This is national news, folks] UrbanoPhile How Do We Finance Walkable Neighborhoods? By Francisco Traverso, Mar 26 2013 A couple weeks ago, an article on the New York Times presented a new development near downtown Denver that is addressing health issues through design. The project is part of a larger development, La Alma/Lincoln Park Neighborhood that was conceived under Health Impact Assessment (HIA) principles. READ MORE...
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National
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TransportationIssuesDaily
Congress Finalizes 2013 Transportation Funding at MAP-21 Level By Larry Ehl, Mar 21 2013
Congress has finalized funding for this fiscal year that ends on September, and funded most transportation programs at MAP-21 levels.
READ MORE...
TV.MSNBCdotCom
How About a Mass-Transit Lobby?
By Sal Gentile, Mar 24 2013
Federal funding for public transportation programs has lagged far behind what states and municipalities have had to spend in order keep mass transit systems not only operational, but expanding.
READ MORE....
TheNewYorkTimes
Life After Oil and Gas
By Elisabeth Rosenthal, Mar 23 2013
As renewable energy gets cheaper and machines and buildings become more energy efficient, a number of countries that two decades ago ran on a fuel mix much like America's are successfully dialing down their fossil fuel habits.
READ MORE...
DC.StreetsBlog
Will New Oil Supplies Slow the Transition to Green Transportation?
By Tanya Snyder, Mar 25 2013
What if peak oil doesn't take care of gas-guzzling by cutting off the supply
READ MORE...
DC.StreetsBlog
Study: Homes Near Transit Were Insulated From the Housing Crash
By Tanya Snyder, Mar 22 2013
If you live close to a transit station, chances are you've weathered the recession better than your friends who don't. Your transportation costs are probably lower, since you can take transit instead of driving. Transit-served areas are usually more walkable and bikeable too, multiplying your options.
READ MORE...
BetterInstitutions.BlogSpot
Want Housing That Doesn't Break the Bank for Lower-Income Residents? Get Rid of Some Parking.
By Shane Phillips, Mar 25 2013
The National Low Income Housing Coalition released their "Out of Reach 2013" report a few weeks ago, and it's a fascinating look at how unaffordable housing really is for low-income workers in this country. Most interesting is their "hours of minimum wage work needed to afford rent" chart, as seen below:
READ MORE...
BostonGlobe
Housing-Starved Cities Seek Relief in Micro-Apartments
By Casey Ross, Mar 26 2013
...this 295-square-foot apartment, which comes with more hidden storage and dual-function furniture than a space capsule, appeals to young professionals willing to trade size for the convenience of urban living. And in a city with little space to spare, it offers something rare: a downtown location for less than $2,000 a month. READ MORE...
AtlanticCities.com
Car Exhaust Hurts Children as Much as Second-Hand Smoke
By John Metcalfe, Mar 22 2013
Having your children live near a busy highway is kind of like keeping them penned in the smoking area of a Greyhound bus station, according to a new study. READ MORE...TheAtlanticCities
The Inequality of Playgrounds By Emily Badger, Mar 25 2013
Low-income, minority neighborhoods in cities are often heavily disinvested places, with less money spent there on road repair, civic infrastructure or cultural projects than in other parts of town. This pattern, it appears, may even extend to public parks, with the result that the children who need exercise the most may be less enticed to get it.
TheAtlanticCities
Why Your Skyrocketing Rent Is Bad for the Economy By Emily Badger, Mar 22 2013
Michael Lind is in the midst of a three-part series over at Salon on the rise of rentier capitalism in America, with some pretty unambiguous headlines (yesterday: "Private sector parasites"; today: "How rich 'moochers' hurt America") READ MORE...
StreetsBlog
A Hippocratic Oath for People Who Take Care of Cities
by Angie Schmitt
The city as an organism - it's a common analogy, probably in part because it's so instructive.
READ MORE...
GristDotOrg
Cape Wind Wins Billions in Backing, Launches Offshore Wind in the U.S.
By David Richardson, Mar 27 2013
What do you do when local opposition to an offshore wind farm project dries up, when the NIMBY crowd runs out of steam, when the federal government gives the green light and extends every permit and courtesy the law will allow, when the technology is tested and proven, and there's nothing left to do but build it? READ MORE..
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The Only Thing You Need to Know Along the West Corridor is What You're Doing on Opening Day Ceremonies.
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Graphics above: RTD
Hey, Hey, Hey!
Come one, Come all
to the Opening Day Celebrations, Friday, April 26th and Saturday, April 27th, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
* Approx. 10:30 a.m. - Grand Opening ceremony at Jefferson County Government Center- Golden Station.
* Approx. noon - Free rides on West Rail Line following the ceremony
Saturday, April 27, 2013
* 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Station Parties (see below)
* All day - Free rides on the entire light rail system metrowide!
Ride West. It's an adventure!
Station Parties
Downtown - Denver Union Station
1600 Wewatta St., Denver, CO 80202 - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Downtown Denver Showcase: Stop by and enjoy live music and delicious food from local vendors. While you're here, get to know downtown businesses and get a sneak peek into the future of the new Denver Union Station.
Decatur/Federal Station
1310 N. Federal Blvd., Denver, CO 80219 - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Denver Sports and Activities: Meet Miles, the Denver Broncos Mascot, and the Broncos Cheerleaders! Enjoy food, music and activities for all ages.
Perry Station
1199 N. Perry. St., Denver, CO 80219 - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Community and Neighbors: Join us for live music, entertainment and learn about Denver area programs including B-cycle, St. Anthony's, and much more. Don't miss out! After the party, there's more fun to be had on Perry Street with music and food trucks.
Sheridan Station
1198 Sheridan Blvd., Denver, CO 80219 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Working Together: Denver, Lakewood and Edgewater! See plans for the many new housing opportunities along the light rail and visit with many nonprofits. Hear great music and enjoy many food trucks. Brought to you by Urban Land Conservancy, 9 to 5 Winning Justice for Working Women, West Colfax Community Association, Two Creeks Neighborhood, Villa Park Neighborhood, and the office of Denver Councilmember Paul Lopez.
Lamar Station
6363 W 13th Ave., Lakewood, CO 80214 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
40 West Arts District Street Fair! Come visit with artist vendors and demonstrations, enjoy kid's activities and giveaways, chalk art, live entertainment, great food and more. Celebrate the arts! Brought to you by Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design and the 40 West Arts District.
Wadsworth Station
1350 Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80214 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Celebrating Lakewood's Past, Present and Future: History and Sustainability! Lakewood's history showcased alongside live music, locally-owned and operated businesses and restaurants, sustainability information and a video booth to share memories of Colfax and Lakewood. Come explore the social media tent! Brought to you by the West Colfax Community Association, Belmar, and Eiber Neighborhood Association.
Garrison Station
9091 W. 13th Ave., Lakewood, CO 80215 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Eiber: Great Neighbors! Acapella bands and local schools perform. Visit with a local real estate agent on site! See the historic Lakewood Police car on display. Brought to you by the Eiber Neighborhood Association and St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Oak Station
1311 Oak St., Lakewood, CO 80215 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Play Lakewood! Demonstrations and interactive fun with Lakewood's parks, recreation and art/crafts. Lakewood Community Resources highlight fun things to do and see in Lakewood. Brought to you by the City of Lakewood's Community Resources Department.
St. Anthony at Federal Center Station
11601 W. 2nd Pl., Lakewood, CO 80226- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Walk This Way: Celebrating Health, Wellness and Safety! St. Anthony Hospital and West Metro Fire teach light rail safety and staying healthy. Come check out the St. Anthony Health and Wellness Fair. West Metro Fire truck will be on display. Locally-owned food and businesses serve up great food. Brought to you by St. Anthony Hospital, the West Chamber's Union Corridor Professionals group, and West Metro Fire Protection.
Red Rocks Community College Station
13400 W. 6th Ave., Lakewood, CO 80228 -10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Celebrating Lakewood's Great Education! Red Rocks Community College and their fox mascot welcome you. Brought to you by Red Rocks Community College.
Jefferson County Government Center - Golden Station
605 Johnson Rd., Golden, CO 80401 -10 a.m to 2 p.m
Front Range Activities and Access: Get in touch with your wild side! Have fun at the petting zoo, learn about the Foothills Animal Shelter, and explore beautiful nature trails. Enjoy music, food from local vendors and much more.
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Bike Logo above: RTD
Click on the Logo Above to Learn How to "Bike-n-Ride" |
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| The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of William A. Spriggs and no one else. |
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