Colorado Front Range Development Thread [Archive] - Page 45

Eeyore

May 6, 2009, 5:28 AM

Joe Blake — one of Denver’s best-known business-community leaders — said Tuesday he is stepping down after nearly 10 years as president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce to become chancellor of the Colorado State University system.

“After much thought and personal deliberation, I have decided to pursue a new opportunity that will take me away from the chamber,” Blake said in an email Tuesday evening to chamber leaders.

He will assume his new Denver-based position as CSU chancellor July 1.

The CSU board of governors Tuesday named Blake the sole finalist for the chancellor position, which by law starts a 14-day period before he can take the job officially.

Blake is currently vice president of the CSU board. He was appointed to the board by Gov. Bill Owens.

“What excites me, and ultimately enticed me to consider this new role, were many of the same things that drew me to the chamber nearly a decade ago,” Blake said in his message to chamber leaders. “What was before me then, and what stands in front of me now, is an opportunity to help a critically important organization grow and reshape itself for the betterment of Colorado.”

Chamber board chairwoman Madeleine “Mimi” Roberson will form a search committee to find a successor to Blake.

“Joe has been a strong, capable and thoughtful leader for the chamber,” said Roberson, president and CEO of Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Hospital and Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children. “He has grown the organization in membership, relevance and prominence. We have been blessed to have someone with his leadership capabilities leading this organization for the past decade, and we certainly understand and respect Colorado State University’s interest in having an individual of his caliber at the helm as they go forward.”

"Joe has been a key partner and an important supporter of our efforts to strengthen Colorado’s economy, build a modern transportation system and improve higher education," Gov. Bill Ritter, a CSU alumnus, said in a statement. "We’ve made significant progress together, ... and I look forward to continuing that partnership with Joe in his new role. There is much work ahead to continue improving educational quality and keeping higher education accessible and affordable."

Blake has had many civic roles, including chairman of the Colorado Transportation Commission and chairman of the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority.

He also has been a key player in a variety of political initiatives, including the efforts to authorize construction of Coors Field, the revenue initiative for the FasTracks regional-transit project and 2005’s Referendum C campaign to relax state spending restrictions for key services.

Blake played a major role in negotiations that helped to block several anti-business voter initiatives last year.

He serves on several boards, including the Denver Public Schools Foundation, the Denver Foundation and the Metro Denver Sports Commission.

A Denver native and East High School graduate, Blake has a bachelor’s degree in English literature form Dartmouth University and a law degree from the University of Colorado.

He has held a variety of positions in his varied career, including an FBI agent, aide to a U.S. senator and regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Before going to the chamber, he served as senior vice president for Mission Viejo Co., the master-plan developer for Highlands Ranch, and Shea Homes.

“This has truly been the job of a lifetime, which I have treasured, and I will not forget any of the days we have spent together,” Blake told chamber leaders.

CSU’s board of governors voted in February to separate the positions of chancellor of the CSU system and president of the Fort Collins campus, which were previously combined.

Larry Penley, who resigned in November, held both positions. After his departure, Tony Frank was named interim president of CSU’s Fort Collins campus.

CSU also has a campus in Pueblo and an online Global Campus in Greenwood Village.

The change brings the CSU system more closely in line with the University of Colorado’s structure, except that the executive nomenclature is different: CU has a president (Bruce Benson) in charge of the system and chancellors overseeing each campus.

CSU decided against hiring a search firm for the chancellor’s post and instead appointed a 15-member committee to identify candidates.

The nearly six-month search process started back in December when the board consulted with a national expert in higher education systems to evaluate various national organizational models of university systems, according to CSU's website.

The search committee reviewed over 30 applications and narrowed the pool to a dozen applicants who were reviewed more closely.

Part of Blake’s job will be to serve as the university’s liaison to the state Legislature and Ritter as well as its public face and voice and its representative to business and civic leaders.

acw007

May 6, 2009, 6:14 AM

It will be interesting to see how this pans out… there are several legal questions that need to be answered before he can have the job.

Eeyore

May 6, 2009, 6:16 AM

Really? Like what?

Eeyore

May 6, 2009, 6:36 AM

I found this in the Fort Collins paper. I find it interesting that the only person to vote no was from Pueblo. I am not sure if this means anything or what will happen, you could be right.

On of the comments was that they think CSU wants to open a Denver campus, I hope not and would not like that idea at all....

The CSU Board of Governors met for four hours in closed session Tuesday before naming its vice chairman as the sole finalist for chancellor, even though state law says boards can't discuss their own members in executive sessions.

"It appears that the Board of Governors' discussion behind closed doors violates the Colorado Open Meetings Law because they discussed a member of the public body, Joe Blake. The law is very clear that a public body cannot discuss a member of that public body in an executive session," said Chris Beall, a Denver attorney who specializes in First Amendment law.

Michele McKinney, a spokeswoman for the Colorado State University System, provided a prepared statement from the system's general counsel's office defending the closed session.

"Today's executive session … was to receive legal advice and to discuss the recommendations of the search committee, which included information about several candidates. The board came out of executive session and into a public meeting where Mr. Blake was nominated as the finalist for consideration pursuant to motion and a second with an invitation for open discussion," the statement said.

"A public vote was then taken, with one dissenting vote. Over the course of the next two weeks, the board will be accepting public comment on Mr. Blake's nomination. …

"Further, the purpose of the executive session was not to discuss Mr. Blake in his capacity as a member of the Board of Governors, rather, it was to discuss the search committee's recommendations related to candidates for employment, including Mr. Blake."

The Board of Governors voted Tuesday to make Blake, the board's vice chairman and the CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the sole finalist for the CSU chancellor position. The board must wait 14 days before formally appointing him to the job.

State law generally allows a body like the Board of Governors to go into executive session "to consider the appointment or employment of a public official or employee." However, the law says that provision "shall not apply to discussions concerning any member of the state public body."

If a lawsuit is filed and a judge rules the open meetings law was violated, the Board of Governors could be forced to make public the tape recordings of any illegal executive session.

Fir Na Tine 343

May 6, 2009, 6:49 AM

City starting study for downtown streetcar
by Rob Larimer

Published: May 5,2009

Time posted: 11:59 am

Tags: streetcar

The city has chosen the URS Corp. to conduct a feasibility study for adding a rail track that would run streetcars along Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs.

City Transit Division Manager Sherri Ritenour said the downtown construction would hopefully be the first phase of construction on a rail line that would eventually run between downtown and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

The idea is that the rail line would bolster development and commerce along north Nevada Avenue, which planners hope will become a major retail and destination corridor.

While the plan is still in its infancy, Ritenour said if funding can be found, the first phase of the project could become a reality within five years.

“We’re just beginning the feasibility study,” she said. “This is the first entry into the question of whether this is good for our community and whether this is economically feasible.”

But, finding money to support such a public transit project could be a challenge.

Already this year the city has cut 50,000 hours from its bus schedule, and last week ended its free downtown shuttle service because of budget problems.

“I’m optimistic that things will turn around and hopefully our transit services will be restored,” Ritenour said. “Our city needs a rail service like this.”

Fir Na Tine 343

May 6, 2009, 6:54 AM

I heard in the national news recently that Colorado Springs was potentially getting another division of troops or specialists at Peterson AFB that would increase the base employment by another 400. Does anyone know anything about this?

It is the 24th Air Force Cyber Warfare Unit. Supposed to bring a group of 400 to Peterson AFB. Don't know if it's final but CS is in the final running with I think Omaha.

citycenter

May 6, 2009, 2:56 PM

I found out that they have narrowed it down to Maryland or Peterson AFB and a decision is actually expected within days.

Eeyore

May 6, 2009, 3:08 PM

Good luck to the Springs!

The Pueblo Chieftain and Fort Collins Coloradoan are looking into how the hiring of the new chancellor of the CSU system was conducted. Here is a paragraph from today's Pueblo Chieftain:

The Pueblo Chieftain and the Fort Collins Coloradoan newspapers are investigating possible improprieties in the executive session meeting.

According to a state law, an executive session for personnel discussions shall not apply to discussions concerning any member of the state public body or the appointment of a person to fill the office of a member of the state public body.

Eeyore

May 6, 2009, 3:52 PM

Work starts on tree-lined Eastern Gateway Planting trees was the first step to beautify the entry to the city's East Side.

Imagine a highway into Pueblo trimmed with flowering trees and majestic pines.

Pueblo City Council members Barbara Vidmar and Larry Atencio could, and with the support of their colleagues on council, focused their imagination on how to beautify the highway interchange for Colorado 47 and 96 - the city's eastern gateway.

That dream turned into dirt and shovels Friday as the first line of pines, catalpa, hackberry and pear trees were planted along the busy highway interchange while a small group of East Side neighbors watched. Under a chilly gray sky, it took some imagination to see the saplings in full growth, but the $1.2 million, 28-acre Eastern Gateway Landscape Project takes a certain amount of vision for granted.

Atencio said the project would beautify a highway corridor that needs it.

"It's even important for economic development," he added. "Business people coming to Pueblo have said it isn't as nice as they'd like it to be." Or as nice as the neighborhood would like, given the noisy flow of cars and trucks on Colorado 96 heading into Pueblo.

Vidmar said the gateway project has been on the drawing board for several years but the sudden availability of federal stimulus money for "shovel-ready" highway projects this year jolted it into a higher speed. The first phase of the two-step project is getting $380,000 in federal money, plus $130,000 from the city's aesthetic improvement fund. The city is seeking another $480,000 in federal money next year.

"The East Side has been neglected," said Vidmar, who has made a personal campaign out of improving the city's landscaping. "Fortunately, with the stimulus money available, we've been able to speed this up."

Bill Zwick, the city's landscape architect, said it will probably take five years to fully implement the interchange project. Nearly 350 trees will be planted in a double row on all four quadrants of the interchange. And all the plants will be watered by an irrigation system.

"By all means, when we do invest in landscaping, let's maintain it and not let it fall apart," Vidmar urged.

Zwick selected the trees for the project - Ponderosa Pine, Austrian Pine, Western Catalpa, Hackberry and Cleveland Select Pear - all because they have thrived in Pueblo's arid climate.

"Some of these trees will reach 80 and 100 feet tall when they are grown," he said. "They'll form a lovely entryway into Pueblo and give the neighborhood an attractive screen from all the traffic on the highway."

acw007

May 6, 2009, 10:59 PM

They plant trees in Pueblo!?:haha:

Eeyore

May 6, 2009, 11:14 PM

I know you are joking but this is the perfect time to show my yard in the spring.. Notice the trees!

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/IMG_1079.jpg

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/IMG_1080.jpg

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/IMG_1081.jpg

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/IMG_1082.jpg

acw007

May 7, 2009, 4:41 AM

Haha nice...

Eeyore

May 7, 2009, 4:55 AM

Thanks...

Off topic but I was in the Arizona room about them getting a forth 4 year university. I was amazed that they only have 3! I mean they have about the same population as Colorado and we have over 10. I think that is one reason why we are becoming the renewable energy leader, medical leader, have a growing space industry etc. We are lucky to have so many good schools and I know I have taken them for granted but hearing this makes me realize that I am lucky to live in Colorado.

Eeyore

May 7, 2009, 2:58 PM

There were many articles in todays Pueblo Chieftain of note so I decided to post part of them here:

First this is good news for the job market:

The Pentagon’s budget request, due to be made public today, reportedly will ask for a major increase in funding for chemical demilitarization projects in Pueblo and Lexington, Ky., in order to meet a new deadline imposed by Congress.

According to unofficial comments, the Pentagon will ask for $550.4 million in next year’s budget, up from the $300.4 million originally expected.

The link: http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2009/05/07/news/local/doc4a026bbd35b2d241902317.txt

This will put more money in the economy now and then get the project done faster so we can use the land for re development. Already we are going to get the worlds largest solar plant there and this will not interfere with that.

It looks like people like the pick for chancellor of the CSU system:

From lawmakers and board members to CSU-Pueblo student leaders who were polled, most said they are pleased with the appointment of Blake but are concerned about how the search process was conducted

The link: http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2009/05/07/news/local/doc4a026d4e8ac68268578645.txt

He also said he will be down to Pueblo soon and I will let you know how it goes. So far I am pleased and think it will be good for CSU Pueblo that we have a separate chancellor like the CU system.

Finally, this was the editorial about CSU Pueblo so I thought I would post it.

Good shape

STUDENT ENROLLMENT growth at Colorado State University-Pueblo has the institution in better financial shape than its sister campus in Fort Collins.

CSU-Pueblo this year has 11 percent more students, boosted in large measure by an impressive 65 percent increase in freshmen. This has meant the Pueblo university is having to add to its faculty. Provost Russ Meyer says CSU-Pueblo has new faculty members at the Hasan School of Business, a new math dean, and it hopes to increase overall faculty by about 14 profs.

Meanwhile, CSU-Fort Collins is considering laying off 40 employees and raising tuition 9 percent to deal with a budget shortfall. Dr. Meyer says CSU-Pueblo may have to make only some minor budget cuts.

The new dormitories under construction on the Pueblo campus are expected to help with the enrollment growth, although the school may have to continue with at least some off-campus housing that it contracted for this year at nearby motels. Persons given a tour of the first of the new dorms say it is quite impressive and can compete with facilities at other schools around the nation, making CSU-Pueblo an attractive choice for students not only from this region but from other states.

University officials have been actively recruiting new students in Arizona this spring, touting the degree programs the institution can offer and the other campus activities available, including more intercollegiate sports. CSU-Pueblo’s Thunderwolves begin the second season of their resurrected football program later this year. University President Joe Garcia, Dr. Meyers and the faculty and staff are to be commended for their work at invigorating the institution. It is one of Pueblo’s crown jewels.

Eeyore

May 7, 2009, 10:23 PM

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/IMG_1091.jpg

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/IMG_1092.jpg

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/IMG_1093.jpg

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/IMG_1094.jpg

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/IMG_1095.jpg

This is a update on the new Vesta's tower plant south of Pueblo!

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/IMG_1090.jpg

This is the base for the new water tower being built to serve the new heavy industrial park where Vesta's is located. It is being paid for by the Pueblo Board of Water Works.

BTW my suv was saying it was 91 degrees on the way down to take this picture!!

acw007

May 7, 2009, 11:23 PM

This is going to be fun to watch...
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20090507/NEWS01/905070343&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

Eeyore

May 7, 2009, 11:28 PM

It will be... Its funny that our two cities news papers are working together lol

:haha:

Eeyore

May 8, 2009, 4:09 AM

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/parkview.jpg

Parkview Medical Center sometime in the early 1960's.

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/IMG_0406.jpg

Parkview today, same historic part.

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/IMG_0408.jpg

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/IMG_0410.jpg

You can see where they added to the top of the building in the first picture.

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/IMG_1014.jpg

Parkview today! It has changed a lot in 40 years!

Eeyore

May 8, 2009, 4:51 AM

This is a update from todays Pueblo Chieftain. It says $ 3.2 billion is going to be spent, talk about a major impact on the local economies!

By Peter Eisler, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon plans to speed the destruction of its aging chemical weapons by more than three years with a $1.2 billion acceleration of construction at two new disposal plants, budget documents show.

The proposal represents a 60% increase in projected spending through 2015 to build the plants at the Pueblo (Colo.) Chemical Depot and the Blue Grass (Ky.) Army Depot, totaling more than $3.2 billion over that period, according to the documents, obtained by USA TODAY. Those plants will be the last of the six remaining stockpile sites nationwide to complete their disposal work — and the only ones in that group to use chemical neutralization instead of incinerators

Eeyore

May 8, 2009, 2:56 PM

This is the Pinion Ridge Business park, that is in between Pueblo and the 1,200 acer Serento development that should start by 4th quarter. I find it amazing how many hotels Pueblo keeps getting, even in this recession.

The business district along north Interstate 25 will soon see another growth spurt.

Infrastructure work recently began on the new Pinon Ridge commercial development near the Eden interchange. The area is north of the Pueblo Crossing Shopping Center.

A large Love's Travel Stop and Country Store will become the first anchor tenant at the 42-acre site, according to Pueblo businessman John Musso, the owner of the site.

Construction on the travel center is anticipated to start in coming weeks. The centers feature a gas station, store, two restaurants and up to 70 spaces for semi-trucks, a Love's spokesman said.

Musso is teaming with Elk Valley Development of Pueblo on the develop- ment. Talks are under way with other prospective tenants, including hotels, restaurants and retailers, Musso said. The developers also invite real estate agents and businesses to share ideas, he said.

Alan Lucas, project manager for Elk Valley, said developers are considering a "theme retail center" with complimentary buildings and walkways (possibly cobblestone) linking the storefronts.

The acreage is currently divided into 19 lots with space available for dozens of stores and offices, Lucas said. The Love's travel center will occupy five acres of the site, he said.

Calling the site "the gateway to the North Side," planners want the project to stand out, said Lucas, who earlier in his career helped develop the nation's largest factory outlet mall in Woodbury, N.Y.

The start of Pinon Ridge comes eight years after Musso first proposed the project. In the past year, the developers worked with the city of Pueblo to finalize the site's infrastructure plans, Musso said.

Additions will include an east-west four-lane roadway - expandable to eight lanes - that will link the development to the Eden interchange at Exit 104 of the interstate, he said.

A segment of a north-south road will also be built.

Longer term, the east-west road will eventually grow to connect with the existing Platteville Boulevard and the north-south road will eventually link to the existing Elizabeth Street, he said.

Developers will also extend a sanitary sewer line to the city's existing system, he said. The project also will feature on-site stormwater controls, including a detention basin, he said.

The site is already served by Pueblo's water and energy utilities, he said.

The developers estimate the infrastructure work will cost an estimated $3 million.

Construction is now under way on the main road to the development.

Lucas said Pueblo's lower development costs, along with the availability of water and other infrastructure, make the city an increasingly attractive site to retailers and others.

The pending startup of a Vestas Wind Tower plant is also generating buzz, he said.

Still, the biggest draw is Pinon Ridge's location next to I-25 in the growing North Side of Pueblo, where thousands of cars a day travel, the developers said.

Musso said Pinon Ridge offers retailers the best visibility and interstate access of any site in the city, Musso said. "The tenants . . . will have the amount of traffic they need to succeed," Musso said.

Musso owns an additional 30 acres in the same area that isn't yet development ready, he said.

Long-term road plans by the city call for major interchange upgrades in north Pueblo, including the addition of a Dillon Road "flyover" interchange to the south and expansion of the Exit 104 interchange.

The "flyover" would aid traffic flow around the city's newer Pueblo Crossings Shopping Center.

The planned interchange expansion played a role in the city's request of Pinon Ridge to map out plans for an eventual eight-lane roadway (the extension of Platteville Boulevard) through the site, Musso said.

The current Exit 104 underpass offers single-lane access with safety shoulders in both directions, enough room for the increase in traffic expected in the project's early phase, he said.

Musso said developers continue to talk with city leaders about the various interchange expansion options under consideration. A final decision has not been made by Pueblo City Council, he said.

Front_Range_Guy

May 8, 2009, 9:19 PM

Eeyore

May 8, 2009, 9:23 PM

Work on Pinon Ridge.

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/IMG_1098.jpg

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/IMG_1099.jpg

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/IMG_1097.jpg

Pueblo's future 8 lane road!!!!

:drummer:

Eeyore

May 8, 2009, 9:27 PM

More good news from our friends at The Colorado Springs Business Journal (http://www.csbj.com).

USOC withdrawing from deal with city, LandCo (http://csbj.com/2009/05/08/usoc-withdrawing-from-deal-with-city-landco/)

Related commentary by the bj's John Hazelhurst.

Come clean, Mr. Mayor (http://csbj.com/hazlehurst/2009/05/08/come-clean-mr-mayor/)

Nice place, Eeyore.

Sorry, that is a loss for all of Colordo. Thank you :-)

Top Of The Park

May 9, 2009, 12:02 AM

citycenter

May 9, 2009, 1:45 AM

ragerunner1

May 9, 2009, 2:47 AM

I thought I would introduce myself. I am new to the area and work in the planning and redevelopment field. I have been reading the different forums to come up to speed on what is going on in the front range. Thank you for all the information. I would also like to share my pics I have been taking around the area. If you know of other quality urban and pedestrian place for me to visit I would appreciate the info. Thanks.

Olde Town Arvada - http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=168907
Urban Denver Neighborhood (Highland) - http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=168905
Downtown Littleton - http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=168794
Belmar Redevelopment - http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=168843
Downtown Golden - http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=168750

I also took some pics in the Colorado Springs area.
Manitou Springs Part 1 - http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=168752
Manitou Springs Part 2 - http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=168753
Old Colorado City - http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=168751

Eeyore

May 9, 2009, 6:17 AM

Not to brag, but if you go back and read my post from a few weeks ago, I indicated this was coming. :cool: Just wait guys, there are two brokerage companies in Colorado Springs that are going down in the flames (quietly) because their principals were involved with marshal on a very extensive level.

Also, Eeyore: I saw that site plan for pinon ridge and it looks like hell! great that there is a new project in north pueblo, but what honestly, what rookie is doing this project?? It looks like a residential project gone terribly wrong! :jester:

They are not exactly "top" developers working on the project. That being said its only 42 acers so I will wait and see how it comes out. It might a be good filler between Pueblo and Serento, which is the bigger project for that area.

As far as what you said about USOC, I have learned to never dought what you say, that is why when you give us information I always go with it.

BTW as a side note I just got back from Star Trek the movie, it was the BEST movie I have ever seen in my entire life and then some!!!!!

Eeyore

May 9, 2009, 6:28 AM

CS-Urbanist

May 9, 2009, 1:33 PM

Pueblo's future 8 lane road!!!![/B]

:drummer:

Who in their right mind would want an 8-lane road?? Abso-frickin-lutley ridiculous! WTF!?

Eeyore

May 9, 2009, 2:20 PM

Who in their right mind would want an 8-lane road?? Abso-frickin-lutley ridiculous! WTF!?

I can't be something that I am not and I am not a true urbanist so even though I want a strong downtown I like highways, interstates, parkways, boulevards and I like them to be 6 or 8 lanes as they are more fun for me to drive on.

citycenter

May 9, 2009, 3:40 PM

Eeyore, nice pad by the way. Looks like you're maybe out on the Mesa, or possibly on the edge of El Camino?

Eeyore

May 9, 2009, 3:49 PM

Thank you! Actually my house backs up to a golf course in town. It use to be called the city park golf course but the city thought that Elmwood Golf Course sounded better so that's the new name...

CS-Urbanist

May 9, 2009, 5:26 PM

I can't be something that I am not and I am not a true urbanist so even though I want a strong downtown I like highways, interstates, parkways, boulevards and I like them to be 6 or 8 lanes as they are more fun for me to drive on.

To even consider yourself as any sort of an "urbanist" would be a big stretch. I consider you to be more of a "LeCorbu Sprawlist". LeCorbu because of your obsession with extremely tall buildings out of context and Sprawlist, well because of all your posts.

Eeyore

May 9, 2009, 5:46 PM

To even consider yourself as any sort of an "urbanist" would be a big stretch. I consider you to be more of a "LeCorbu Sprawlist". LeCorbu because of your obsession with extremely tall buildings out of context and Sprawlist, well because of all your posts.

I consider my self in between a urbanist and suburbanite.

I say this because I want a strong and healthy downtown and am willing to spend time and money to have one. In fact, I always vote yes when they want to add something to downtown and spend a lot of my free time there. I am a major supporter of the Pueblo Convention Center, Riverwalk, downtown baseball stadium and historic area. I, even, volunteer my time to do my little part to make downtown a better place for Puebloan's.

That being said I think a city needs to have more then just a thriving downtown to be successful in today's world. That is why I am supporting the heavy industrial parks, tech park, energy parks, business parks, R&D parks,the university and the area around it and Pueblo's new neighborhoods including Pueblo Springs. That way Pueblo can attract a diverse economic base and the people that come with it.

As far as sky scrapers I am not sure by what you mean I like them out of context? I would not be happy if Pueblo built a 30 story highrise by the university any more then I would be happy if Pueblo put the Vesta's wind tower plant in downtown. I think every building has a place and I happen to think that 30 plus story high rises would look great in downtown. Now if you are referring to the fact I have said I want Pueblo to get the worlds tallest building, I was half joking as I know that will NEVER happen. Just trying to show you guys my humor and that I do not always take my self and Pueblo as seriously as it seems. That is, also, why I call our airport PIA when it is obviously not a international airport.

CS-Urbanist

May 9, 2009, 8:58 PM

Rage Runner, great pictures you posted. You could also check out Cherry Creek in Denver and I am a fan of Castle Rock's downtown as well. Tejon Street in Colorado Springs is pretty nice as is Historic Union Avenue in Pueblo. Other great pedestrian areas are the villages in the ski resorts such as Breck, Vail, Aspen, Keystone, etc. Some of my favorite places in the area (although more neighborhood scale) are Prospect New Town in Longmont and Highlands Garden Village (previous Elitch Gardens site). Of course, Boulder has several gems in and around their downtown. Pearl Street is the most notable, but some of the surrounding parallel and perpendicular streets are also fantastic. Great scale there.

You may be interested in the upcoming Congress for the New Urbanism national conference in Denver (June 10-14). Welcome, I look forward to seeing more of your pictures. (As a favor, could you continue to update a link on this page? I rarely check other pages on the skyscraperpage.)

Paulopolis

May 9, 2009, 9:15 PM

More good news from our friends at The Colorado Springs Business Journal (http://www.csbj.com).

USOC withdrawing from deal with city, LandCo (http://csbj.com/2009/05/08/usoc-withdrawing-from-deal-with-city-landco/)

Related commentary by the bj's John Hazelhurst.

Come clean, Mr. Mayor (http://csbj.com/hazlehurst/2009/05/08/come-clean-mr-mayor/)

Nice place, Eeyore.

Colorado can not let this go to Chicago. Crossing my fingers that if it doesn't stay in C. Springs, Denver will step in and offer office space in the Union Station development. That would be perfect for USOC and the NGB.

Eeyore

May 9, 2009, 9:25 PM

Colorado can not let this go to Chicago. Crossing my fingers that if it doesn't stay in C. Springs, Denver will step in and offer office space in the Union Station development. That would be perfect for USOC and the NGB.

I would love if Pueblo did but to be honost I think if Colorado Springs losses it the state loses it and that is sad for sure....

Did Colorado Springs bite off more then they can chew? $53 million is a lot of incentives for any one company. I know Pueblo could not match that deal and I don't think Denver could either.

BTW if Pueblo could I would much rather us spend the money to get a multi national corporation to move its headquarters here not a non profit, even if it is the USOC.

Front_Range_Guy

May 9, 2009, 10:08 PM

All things considered, I think Denver makes the most sense. I'm interested to see how this is all going to play out for Rivera.

Eeyore

May 9, 2009, 10:17 PM

All things considered, I think Denver makes the most sense. I'm interested to see how this is all going to play out for Rivera.

This is selfish I know but in a way I would rather Chicago get the USOC then Denver as that is just something else they will hold over us. I can hear it now, "you guys cant even keep the USOC in the state we had to come in and do what we always do and save the state".........

acw007

May 9, 2009, 10:21 PM

Federal transit budget pencils in $54.5M for Mason Corridor

BY KEVIN DUGGAN
KevinDuggan@coloradoan.com

Funding for the city's long-sought Mason Cor-ridor project is included in President Barack Obama's recommended budget for the fiscal year beginning in October.

The president's recommended $3 trillion spending package includes $54.5 million for the Mason Corridor in the proposed budget of the Federal Transit Administration.

Officials touted the inclusion as "great news" for the city.

"In these difficult economic times, we must focus on both the short- and long-term health of our local economy," City Manager Darin Atteberry said in a prepared statement. "The Mason Corridor is an investment in this community's economic future."

The money would be the final installment of $65 million in federal funding promised for the $80 million project.

The balance of the funding would come from other sources, including the city, the state and the Down-town Development Authority.

In March, the president signed a spending bill that allocated $11 million to the corridor, which would establish a bus rapid transit system from Cherry Street to Harmony Road.

Officials expect the project will spur economic development along the corridor, in addition to improving the city’s transportation network.

The five-mile corridor would be centered along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad tracks west of College Avenue. The project would cross the CSU campus and include travel lanes for specially designed buses, as well as boarding stations.
Design work on the project is ongoing. Construction is expected to begin in 2010 and be completed in 2011, if the funding comes through. This summer, portions of Mason and Howes streets downtown will be converted from one-way to two-way streets.

Congress still has to approve the final expenditure, city officials said.

The $54.5 million was anticipated, said Kathleen Bracke, director of transportation planning and special projects, but competition for federal funding is tough.

The president on Thursday said his budget included more than $17 billion in cuts.

“It’s nice to get confirmation for this project,” Bracke said. “A lot of people at the federal level see this as a role model project for other communities around the country.”

The Mason Corridor project began as part of the Building Community Choices capital improvement package approved by city voters in 1997.

This is great news and coupled with the city of Fort Collins ambitious transit plan the city will thrive. The new transit plan includes 23 new bus routes (bringing the total to 41), two new transit stations along Harmony road, 24 hour & sunday service, and shuttle service as far south as Longmont. All will be implemented over the next five years and the city anticipates ridership increasing to 7,000,000 people a year by 2020.

Eeyore

May 9, 2009, 10:25 PM

That's good 007!

Front_Range_Guy

May 10, 2009, 1:04 AM

Obviously, I would prefer they stay in Colorado Springs. I think most of the top brass want to be in Colorado Springs for personal reasons. Denver makes sense because it's so close to Colorado Springs, it has the resources to make something happen fast, and frankly, if I were the USOC, I'd rather have my name associated with Denver than Colorado Springs. Denver is generally seen as a positive, progressive place... and Colorado Springs' reputation ranges from "Where is that?" to "Right wing extremist hell hole."

ragerunner1

May 10, 2009, 1:14 AM

This is selfish I know but in a way I would rather Chicago get the USOC then Denver as that is just something else they will hold over us. I can hear it now, "you guys cant even keep the USOC in the state we had to come in and do what we always do and save the state".........

I personally hope the USOC stays in the Colorado Springs area and or the Denver area. If they decide to leave I would not be surprised to see Indianapolis make a run at them. With several Olympic organizations already there, as well as the NCAA.

Top Of The Park

May 10, 2009, 2:46 AM

Chicago thought they had it. COS looses all credibility as a headquarters town if they loose out.

The city can't do much right...certainly cannot run a bus company.

Eeyore

May 10, 2009, 4:01 AM

I think this is one area where Pueblo and Colorado Springs should show we can work together to keep the USOC in southern Colorado. It would be a loss for us if Denver got it. I think I might make a few phone calls Monday, I know I cant do much but maybe I can light a fire under the right people in Pueblo to see if we can help the Springs on this one.

Tonight, I was at the Boys and Girls Club fundraiser at the Pueblo Convention Center. I bid on and won a flight over Pueblo and will take pictures. After I take the flight I will post my pictures here!

Finally, I talked to the Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority and the Pueblo Convention Center and will put my money where my mouth is, and we know I have a big mouth, and lead a citizen ballet measure to expand the Pueblo Convention Center. I think this is extremely important to downtown Pueblo and even though I am not a true urbanist I am enough of one to know the value of a large convention center in downtown and the economic growth it will bring to the entire city. In my opinion this is a necessity if Pueblo wants to continue to be the states "second city". Pueblo strong will help me and I will keep you guys informed on my progress.

acw007

May 10, 2009, 5:12 AM

Good luck on getting people to support a ballot measure to expand the convention center. I highly doubt people will be willing to support such a measure during the largest economic downturn since the great depression. We had an measure on the ballots in 2001 that would have started a building boom in our downtown years earlier than it happened. The proposal was called "Imagine Fort Collins" and would have funded a $50 million dollar performing arts center, a new main library, a baseball stadium, and a museum of international proportions that would have become home to the Russian crown jewels for an entire decade. The proposal had mass support and then the terrorist attracts of September 11th took place and no one could imagine spending such a vast amount of money when our futures seemed uncertain... sad.:(

Eeyore

May 10, 2009, 5:28 AM

Thanks! It will be tough but Pueblo has shown that we do support things like this. We voted in the Riverwalk and the convention center in the first place. Plus in the 1970's Pueblo built a big art and conference center and a ice skating rink in downtown by a voter ballot and our library that everyone loves so much was paid for by a ballot measure! In fact the funding for the convention center comes from the vendors fee, we voted to allow them to keep it back in the 1990's till at least 2018, I think maybe its longer.

In fact we would have a larger convention center now but the city attorney did not word the last ballet measure right so when it won they could not use the extra money they had saved up. We have enough now to add on so that will be my focus. This will not raise taxes at all and since this is a off year for elections I think we have a good chance. But time will tell, one thing I do know if we do not try we wont get one and we need a larger one. Also with all the new developments coming in the city, even the ones you don't like, will increase our sales tax revenue and that is where they get their money. So in the next 10 years they will have even more money they can use, they just have to be able to use it!

One more thing this will not be anywhere near $ 50 million dollars but less then $10 million as its not expensive to build a large room and essentially that is all a convention center is.

Eeyore

May 10, 2009, 6:28 AM

I know this is in the Springs but its only a 30 minute drive from my house so in a way I consider it Pueblo's as well. I am as proud of that as I am anything in Pueblo and think this is something we can all be proud of in southern Colorado as nothing in the rest of the state comes close to this!

This is The Broadmoor's idea of a cottage: a 150-square-foot bathroom with heated tiles, a 450-square-foot bedroom, a 42-inch high-definition television, a view of the 18th fairway on the East Course, surrounded by $1.2 million in landscaping and a man-made stream trickling by with a waterfall outside to provide a soothing soundscape.

The Broadmoor Cottages consist of five eight-room cottages and a sixth four-room unit, with two small parlors and a "grand" parlor in each of the eight-room cottages. They are the largest, and among the most expensive, rooms the five-star hotel offers.

"Unfortunately, when you hear the word ‘cottage,' you think ‘small,'" said John Washko,

The Broadmoor's vice president of sales and marketing. "They are the largest guest rooms and bathrooms on the whole property."

The $18.5 million cottage project caps a $55 million round of improvements and additions at the hotel, which itself followed a series of expansions that totaled $250 million.

"I learned long ago that great hotels and resorts evolve," said Broadmoor President Steve Bartolin. "We always want to do new and exciting things."

Like the hip Summit restaurant, the cottages are a change of pace for the venerable hotel.

"The definition of a cottage is simplicity," said Cindy Johnson, The Broadmoor's in-house designer, who picked out the fabrics and decorations for the cottages. "This is very different from the main building. That's very fussy and fancy and ornate. This is more relaxed."

Trying to explain the cottage concept to longtime customers was tricky, Washko said.

"It's difficult to articulate what this product is," he said. "People always think of time shares."

The cottages are not, for the record, time shares. They're more akin to a hotel suite, where a family or group of friends might rent out part or all of one of the 6,300-square-foot cottages for the weekend.

"Some people want to be in the heart of the action," Washko said. "Other people want to get away."

Washko sees the properties, which start at about $650 a night per room (ranging up to $7,650 for an entire eight-room cottage), appealing to families, golfing groups and wedding parties.

"A lot of people, when they add things, do more of the same," he said. "This is adding inventory, but it's completely different from our existing offerings."

Steve Ducoff, executive director of the Pikes Peak Lodging Association, said The Broadmoor will stand out by trying something new.

"I think it's unique and probably of benefit to The Broadmoor and the area," he said.

The new rooms come online at a low point for the hospitality industry. The Broadmoor hasn't been immune from the worldwide recession. Washko said the hotel's convention business is off by 20 percent. The Broadmoor is hoping leisure travelers will help fill that gap this summer, something the cottages could help with. Still, he said, this summer will serve to introduce the cottages to returning guests, who he hopes will consider them in the future.

"We know we're opening an all-suite product in a soft economy," he said. "We knew in '08 that '09 was going to be a struggle."

Washko said the hotel considered adding an additional 5- or 6-story tower on the site, but decided that the cottages fit the setting better and provide a better backdrop for the final hole on the East Course. With the downturn in the economy, that aesthetic decision proved to be good business, too.

"I'm really glad we're not adding a couple hundred units in this environment," he said.

Cottages at The Broadmoor are actually a return to the past. Count James Pourtales, who formed the Broadmoor Land and Investment Co. and built a casino and hotel on the site in 1891, planned to build cottages. Spencer Penrose, who built the current hotel in 1918, also planned for 10 cottages ringing the hotel's circular drive.

Those cottages never came to fruition, although reproductions of Penrose's plans and blueprints are now decorations on the walls of their modern descendents.

"This is kind of a fulfillment of both Count Pourtales' and Spencer Penrose's original vision," Bartolin said.

THE BROADMOOR COTTAGES

What: Five eight-room cottages and one four-room cottage
Where: Just east of the 18th hole of The Broadmoor's East Course
When: Opening today
How much: Offseason rates begin at $650 a night for one room. Summer rates for an entire, eight-room cottage are $7,650 a night

Top Of The Park

May 10, 2009, 5:08 PM

Actually a number of good businesses have departed downtown COS in the last 5 years. Very sad.

Eeyore

May 10, 2009, 7:30 PM

Actually a number of good businesses have departed downtown COS in the last 5 years. Very sad.

If Colorado Springs had half of the drive that Pueblo has to develop its downtown it would be the size of Denver's and they would be attracting companies all the time. Also, if Pueblo had half of the population the Springs does we would have a downtown double the size of downtown Colorado Springs. I could be wrong but I think odds are better that Pueblo will gain the population before Colorado Springs has any drive to make their downtown more then it is now. Good for Pueblo sad for the Springs.

CS-Urbanist

May 10, 2009, 11:01 PM

Eeyore

May 10, 2009, 11:12 PM

Just keep telling yourself that Eeyore if it makes you feel better. I believe that downtown Colorado Springs has a promising future when we make it out of this recession. I feel the demise of suburban sprawl is coming and people will start to realize all the extra costs of living in the 'burbs and come to centers of the city (every city).

Well then the race is on!

Will Colorado Springs change their ways and devlope a better downtown or will Pueblo grow first?

It should be fun to see what happens in the next decade!

:cheers:

CS-Urbanist

May 10, 2009, 11:22 PM

Eeyore

May 10, 2009, 11:28 PM

You should compare apples with apples Eeyore. Just because Pueblo "will grow" doesn't equate to the quality of their downtown. CS will grow as well, hopefully it grows smartly and from the inside out rather than follow the trends of the last 30-40 years. My guess is Pueblo, while trying to keep up with CS on growth will spread itself out a lot decreasing the downtown desire, forcing the new businesses in Pueblo to be spread to the outskirts rather than downtown.

If we are all lucky, gas prices will get high again so everyone thinks twice about a 15 mile drive to work each day. I for one of a very few, across this country am hoping that gas prices get back up to $3/$4 gallon again soon.

I think the comparison is fair. Even with Pueblo Springs we are still only 1/2 the land area of Colorado Springs so I think you will see the quality of downtown Pueblo only improve as we grow but if that does not happen I will be the fist one to admit I was wrong.

Given how the two cities are always competing with each other I think it should be fun to watch what happens in the coming decade.

Front_Range_Guy

May 11, 2009, 12:22 AM

Colorado Springs gave up competing a long time ago, Eeyore. I think we may be heading into a very ugly period, not only of economic ruin, but of political and religious extremism. Colorado Springs had a window to save itself, but I think that window has closed.

Eeyore

May 11, 2009, 12:49 AM

Here is my take on what happened to Colorado Springs.

Back in the 1940's, when they were smaller then Pueblo, and it looked like all the companies would move to Pueblo they thought the only way they could be a larger city was to become a military city. If you look at a Gazette article from the time it even said how the military would cause Colorado Springs to be the states second largest city. Then they thought non profits would help them grow as well and that is when they got the christian right and the USOC to move in.

IMO what this did was create a rabbit and turtle scenero. Sure the Springs took off and passed up Pueblo but today they have reached a limit and other then military and non profits they still have the same fundimental problem they had back in the 1940's, major companies do not want to move there. If the Springs does not find a way to fix that they will not be Colorado's second largest city for long, if Pueblo does not pass it up another city will.

wong21fr

May 11, 2009, 12:52 AM

I would love if Pueblo did but to be honost I think if Colorado Springs losses it the state loses it and that is sad for sure....

Did Colorado Springs bite off more then they can chew? $53 million is a lot of incentives for any one company. I know Pueblo could not match that deal and I don't think Denver could either.

BTW if Pueblo could I would much rather us spend the money to get a multi national corporation to move its headquarters here not a non profit, even if it is the USOC.

Actually, Denver offered $175 million in 1991 for a United Airlines maintenance facility. Or there was the $28 million offered for Boeing. Neither worked in the end, but Denver would put probably be willing to put money down for USOC if it comes down to it. Especially if the Olympic crowd gets involved that wishes to bring the Winter Olympics to Colorado again.

The Springs keeps on shooting itself in the foot again and again. If this keeps up it's going to revert to nothing but a military town.

Eeyore

May 11, 2009, 12:57 AM

Actually, Denver offered $175 million in 1991 for a United Airlines maintenance facility. Or there was the $28 million offered for Boeing. Neither worked in the end, but Denver would put probably be willing to put money down for USOC if it comes down to it. Especially if the Olympic crowd gets involved that wishes to bring the Winter Olympics to Colorado again.

The Springs keeps on shooting itself in the foot again and again. If this keeps up it's going to revert to nothing but a military town.

That has been my point all along...........

Then what happens if a military base closes?????

wong21fr

May 11, 2009, 1:07 AM

Eeyore

May 11, 2009, 1:15 AM

^About the same that happened when Pueblo Steel all but shut down, the city suffer years of economic decline.

But, Colorado Springs has been positioned in such a way that virtually none of the bases would close. Especially after the DoD completes the Pinon Canyon expansion. Though I wonder just how large the expansion will be.

Pueblo said the same thing in the 1960's with the steel Mill then look what happened. I agree its unlikely but given the US goverment anything is possible and there is a lot of NIMBYs on the Pinon Canyon expansion. There is even a bill that the governor might sign so the state can not sale any land. If they do not get the expansion then what? Will that cause them to cut back Fort Carson or even close it?

wong21fr

May 11, 2009, 4:11 AM

^I really don't care what the opinion of the NIMBY's might be. This is the DOD and it doesn't matter how a few hundred local civilians feel. The DOD get what it wants and the state is not going to enact any legislation that would endanger the existence of Fort Carson. Is southern CO really foolish enough to endanger their largest economic engine?

Besides, it's private land that the Army wants to acquire, not public.

Eeyore

May 11, 2009, 4:21 AM

To be honest I am torn on this one. I don't want to lose Fort Carson because it would affect Pueblo's economy just as it would Colorado Spring's economy but I understand why the people are so up set down there. When the army takes over the land it is no longer part of the tax role for the county and they lose out. I think the government should work something out so that county does not have to suffer so El Paso and Pueblo counties can prosper.

This is what the Pueblo Chieftain said about it today in a editoral:

WE WERE certainly disappointed by the letter by former U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis urging Gov. Bill Ritter to veto a bill that would bar the State Land Board from selling or leasing state school lands to the Army for expansion of Fort Carson’s Pinon Canyon Maneuver Area.

We’ve always held Mr. McInnis in high regard, but unfortunately his action appears to be a political calculation to garner support from El Paso County Republicans who back the expansion at Pinon Canyon. Mr. McInnis is considered by many to be a future gubernatorial candidate.

Subsequent to the McInnis letter to Gov. Ritter, the governor said he was considering whether or not to sign the legislation, which had extensive bipartisan support in the General Assembly. As we’ve stated here before, we urge the governor to sign the bill.

Congress deeded the school lands to Colorado for the express legislative intent of supporting public education - not national defense. The State Land Board uses lease payments to support schools.

In the area around Pinon Canyon, the state lands are part of the large cattle grazing enterprise that is so important not only to the economy of Southeastern Colorado, but also to the environment and to the livelihoods of hundreds of small business families in the rural communities of the Lower Arkansas Valley. We urge the governor to sign the bill and assure him when he does, there will be great rejoicing throughout Southeastern Colorado.

Eeyore

May 11, 2009, 3:49 PM

It's finally here! This is the first year so I am exited to see what it does for Pueblo. I am so glad that given Pueblo's size we have so many large events, in my opinion that just shows what Pueblo can be in the future. Like I have said I will be at the main events so I will report back as to how they do.

THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

Drivers advised to adjust routes, avoid Downtown congestion.

As some of Pueblo's busiest Downtown streets close for the inaugural Wild Wild West Fest this week, police advise drivers to find alternate traveling routes and watch for pedestrians.

"Be patient and be careful. There are going to be a lot of people on foot," said Capt. Linda Grisham of the Pueblo Police Department's traffic division.

The Wild Wild West Fest runs Wednesday through Sunday and is sponsored by the newly Pueblo-based Professional Bull Riders.

The layout of street closures is similar to the Pueblo's annual Chile and Frijole Festival.

Union Avenue from First Street to B Street will be the longest stretch closed, from 6 a.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. May 18. The street that will be closed for the longest period, however, will be a couple blocks of Grand Avenue between First Street and Union Avenue. (See map for other closures.)

Organizers advise motorists to use the city's new parking garage on South Main Street.

The festival is the PBR's top tour event and will feature a competition of
the nation's top bull riders at the Colorado State Fair Events Center.

The bull-riding bonanza also will feature concerts by Lonestar and BlackHawk and some of Nashville's top recording artists, a parade through Downtown featuring Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway as parade marshal and a slew of Downtown vendors, auctions, free attractions and entertainment.

Visitors from at least 26 states are expected to attend, according to organizers.

Rod Slyhoff, president of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, said some hotels are already at capacity, but rooms are still available.

"We would like to see this have somewhere between $2 and $3 million dollars (economic) impact over the course of the event. Everyone's comparing this to the Chile Festival and Frijole Festival, and I appreciate that . . . but this has some different elements which could change what people do and how they spend."

Some of the newer events to the festival are a custom car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, and two live bucking bulls will be on display from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Both of those events will be held in the 300 block of Union Avenue, Slyhoff said.

Shelly Keenan, a spokeswoman for the PBR, said the first-ever event was well-received by community and city leaders, whom the PBR met with last week to discussed final plans and preparations.

"It's very nice to have the city embrace it. Everything is going as scheduled and everyone is excited and getting pumped," Keenan said.

Eeyore

May 12, 2009, 3:57 AM

The PBR continues to grow and that is good news for Pueblo to have such a big and fast growing company headquartered by the Riverwalk.

BTW I heard a rumor that Loaf N Jug will move their corporate headquarters to the Riverwalk area. I know that wont be new jobs for Pueblo but will help make the Riverwalk area a place for corporate headquarters and maybe that will attract more. I would love it if downtown Pueblo become known for corporate headquarters. That is urban renewal I would be happy about!

PUEBLO, Colo. (May 11, 2009) - Some might be surprised that Ty Murray has made it to the semifinal round of the hit ABC series “Dancing with the Stars.”

But only if they’re unaware of the relentless dedication Murray has applied to any challenge he’s ever faced—be it on the back of a bull or on the dance floor.

“We'll keep doing the best we can and not worry about what others are saying,” wrote Murray, in his daily blog the day after his so-called “shocking” upset of Lil’ Kim, who became the ninth celebrity eliminated from the weekly competition.

“If they're going to be negative, we're not going to change their mind anyway.”

“Chelsie and I are sticking to the same routine we've had since week one,” he continued, “so we all should just keep doing what we've been doing, because that's what got us to this point.”

Believing in the process from past weeks, Murray and his partner have focused their energy on the one thing they can control: choreographing and rehearsing two more dance routines.

This week the pair will perform the Samba as well as the Viennese Waltz.

“We're going with some tougher choreography this week, because Chelsie felt like being in the semifinals we needed to step it up,” Murray wrote in his blog Sunday night, “so that's what we're trying to do.”

Although Murray started the blog by writing that he didn’t think their camera blocking went as well as past efforts, he did note that everyone left on the show – Shawn Johnson, Gilles Marini, Melissa Rycroft and their professional partners – is feeling rundown, but that he and Hightower will be ready for tonight’s performances.

Knowing that Murray’s lower scores have been associated with their Latin routines, Murray and Hightower started their preparation off by focusing on the Samba, which they choreographed on Wednesday.

Because of an increase in media requests coupled with their approach to putting forth more effort on the routine, Murray did not begin working on the Viennese Waltz in earnest until Saturday.

“If this would have been four weeks ago we'd be in a jam right now,” he wrote Friday night, “but I think we're in an OK place. Like I wrote yesterday, we have the Samba coming along and we're in a pretty decent place with it.”

It’s been a long week.

In spite of a lack of sleep, early morning media calls and long hours spent practicing, Murray and Hightower met numerous fans and followers Friday night, but, more importantly, Murray wrote the pair have done everything they can in preparing to qualify for next week’s finale.

“We're ready,” he wrote Sunday night, “we'll build to it and we know the army will be there behind us the whole way.”

You can tune in to ABC tonight at 8 p.m. ET to watch Murray and Hightower perform. The results show will air Tuesday night beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

You can vote every Monday night for Murray and Hightower by calling 800-VOTE4-08 or texting “vote” to 3408. For complete details outlining the rules for the voting process, please log onto: http://abc.go.com/primetime/dancingwiththestars/index?pn=aboutthevote.

To keep up with Murray’s daily blog chronicling his once-in-a-lifetime experience on “Dancing with the Stars,” log onto: www.pbrnow.com/blog/index.cfm/ty-murray.

NEWS AND NOTES

Dancing for the Brand: During the Sunday night telecast, Versus broadcaster Justin McKee spoke of the “loyalty” PBR fans have shown week-in and week-out in helping Murray advance. He said he thought sponsors and potential sponsors “should take notice” because it’s been “a testament to the bull riding world.”

Dancing to Win: With the continued growth and dedication of Ty Murray’s Cowboy Army, the PBR is now offering a special t-shirt commemorating the experience. For more information, please, log onto http://pbr.shop.sportstoday.com/Dept.aspx?cp=13215_16815.

Eeyore

May 12, 2009, 4:55 AM

This is on the PEDCo page:

Welcome to the most pro-business climate you will find anywhere in the country - Pueblo, Colorado. The second least expensive place to live according to the First Quarter 2009 C2ER (ACCRA) report!

acw007

May 12, 2009, 7:01 AM

Previously many of you have expressed doubt and or concern the functionality of the rail line running down the middle of the Mason ave corridor so I thought I would post these renderings showing some of the safety precautions being undertaken to prevent human/train interaction. The first photo shows what will be a typical intersection on the Mason Corridor. The second shows what the grade separation will look like when Max and a future light rail line go in.
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/acwilson007/rail1.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/acwilson007/rail2.jpg

On a side note I read something very interesting when reviewing this months DDA agenda. Apparently the city has been approached by CNN and The Travel Channel about staring in a program about the city’s accomplishments in urban renewal and redevelopment activities that have helped us weather challenging economic times. This should be interesting lol.

PLANSIT

May 12, 2009, 1:43 PM

^How many trains roll through there a day?

I ask because I really dislike that separator.

Eeyore

May 12, 2009, 2:55 PM

I have to agree, I am not sure I like it either. There has to be something better they can do....

Eeyore

May 12, 2009, 3:37 PM

This article is kind of a border line so I decided to post the first paragraph then the link. It is good news for Pueblo as now we will have even more cheap water and that is fundamental to the kind of growth I would like to see happen.

"Bessemer Ditch shareholders Monday approved by a 2-1 margin rule changes that will allow the Pueblo Board of Water Works to buy 25 percent of the ditch."

The link: http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2009/05/12/news/local/doc4a090d9323de6647852391.txt

acw007

May 12, 2009, 10:08 PM

^How many trains roll through there a day?

I ask because I really dislike that separator.

Presently two-three trains come threw everyday and that number is dwindling. BSNF has removed a vast majority of their lines that once went came Fort Collins. This is the last remaining one. Most of their operations have moved to Cheyenne. In the very near future light rail will run on the same tracks as will MAX starting in next year. The design of the separator is still up in the air. This design conceptual and the actual fence will probably be much different. Design standards in the civic center would require the base to be sandstone & red brick and the fence would be need to be highly ornamental. I think this design is lovely though.

Eeyore

May 12, 2009, 11:07 PM

I like the idea of what you guys are doing in downtown I just think it could be done better, kind of how they did light rail in downtown Denver....

acw007

May 13, 2009, 1:46 AM

How could we improve upon this plan?

Eeyore

May 13, 2009, 1:53 AM

How could we improve upon this plan?

Well denver has the light rail tracks on the side of the street that way the street can be wide and easier for trafic flow and people to walk. Then the stops are right on the sidewalk as well. Perhaps something like that????

Or of they want to use a bus maybe just should close down Mason to cars and make it like the 16th street mall in Denver????

acw007

May 13, 2009, 2:40 AM

Well denver has the light rail tracks on the side of the street that way the street can be wide and easier for trafic flow and people to walk. Then the stops are right on the sidewalk as well. Perhaps something like that????

The MAX stations will be on the sidewalks and will look something like this:
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/acwilson007/MAX.jpg
The separator is mostly for the train and the proposed high-speed rail line. The light rail stations remain to be seen. I did how ever learn today that the city and CDOT are currently working together on a park and ride garage that will also serve a new office building that will consolidate all of the city’s operations under one roof. This building will be HUGE, as in 9 stories+ and monolithic. The building is currently in the design phase and they anticipate a ground breaking with in five years.

I also came across this interesting graphic that shows what the mason corridor overpasses will look like:
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/acwilson007/MAXB.jpg

Or of they want to use a bus maybe just should close down Mason to cars and make it like the 16th street mall in Denver????

Certain portions of the corridor will be ped/max only but shutting down the entire street would be a waste of a rapid transit corridor and would kind of defeat the purpose.

Eeyore

May 13, 2009, 2:45 AM

That looks better but I still dont see how they can have the high speed rail go through the city at 225 mph. It will be interesting to see how they plan it for you guys...

In Pueblo the rail lines are already above the street level and would not impact downtown traffic. Also, my understnading is Pueblo plans on using the historic union depot for the high speed train station so we dont have to build a new one.

Eeyore

May 13, 2009, 4:31 AM

Eeyore

May 13, 2009, 5:17 AM

Sorry guys I know I keep talking about the Wild West Fest but I am exicited about it! It starts tomorrow and this is one of many national publications talking about it and I like the picrture they have of our events center so I thought I would post the link:

"PUEBLO, Colo. (May 11, 2009) - Don’t miss the hard-hitting, non-stop action when the Professional Bull Riders’ Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS), debuts in Pueblo, Colo., at the Colorado State Fair Events Center on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 for the 22nd stop of the prestigious BFTS tour."

The link: http://www.tournamentguidemag.com/2009/05/12/2009-built-ford-tough-f-150-invitational-goes-to-pueblo/

:upload_71700:

Paulopolis

May 13, 2009, 4:35 PM

That looks better but I still dont see how they can have the high speed rail go through the city at 225 mph. It will be interesting to see how they plan it for you guys...

High-speed rail slows down when it enters a city. It will not be going 225 mph through any major metropolitan area in Colorado. The same is true of pretty much all high-speed rail everywhere unless it is subterranean or elevated, and even then it is considerably slower than its fastest travel speed.

Eeyore

May 13, 2009, 6:27 PM

High-speed rail slows down when it enters a city. It will not be going 225 mph through any major metropolitan area in Colorado. The same is true of pretty much all high-speed rail everywhere unless it is subterranean or elevated, and even then it is considerably slower than its fastest travel speed.

How much does it slow down? It seems to be that the best way for a high speed train would be to have it separated from the road and predestination walkway and even from the restaurants and re tail establishments as people might not like hearing a train go by depending on how often the train runs.

Eeyore

May 14, 2009, 8:43 PM

Has anyone heard anything new about what is going on in Fort Carson?

COLORADO SPRINGS - The Army Thursday, elaborating on a published report, emphasized it will continue to seek expansion of its Pinon Canyon training site in Las Animas County, and that the plan is not being delayed or forgotten.

The report in Thursday's Denver Post states the Army is delaying the controversial plan for a year, after shifting $17 million in dedicated funding to a construction project at Fort Polk, Louisiana. The article cites strong opposition to expanding Pinon Canyon by landowners, and the recent retirement of a top Army official who pushed for the expansion. The Army said last month it will only try to acquire land from landowners willing to sell or lease, and not resort to seizing the land by eminent domain. But no deals have been reached. According to the article, a deal to acquire 70,000 acres recently fell through.

The Post report upset landowner Mack Lowden. "It doesn't change things economically down here. It doesn't help anybody, because we know they're going to be back in another year. We need this thing resolved. We're really counting on Rep. John Salazar to put in legislation to permanently ban this."

Also unhappy is El Paso County Commissioner Jim Bensberg. The Board of Commissioners has supported expanding Pinon Canyon, and just last week sent Gov. Bill Ritter a letter asking him to veto a bill to limit expansion. "We're disappointed that Colorado is going to lose $17 million which should have come to this state. I'm disappointed that we didn't hear anything about this from Fort Carson and the Army."

This is Thursday's statement from Lt. Col. Martin Downie of the Pentagon:

"Funds were shifted to a project that was both militarily necessary, and executable in Fiscal Year 2010. The need to expand Pinon Canyon is based on the training requirements for soldiers and units stationed at Fort Carson. Similarly, the requirement to expand Fort Polk is based on training needs of units assigned to Fort Polk and rotational units at the Joint Readiness Training Center. Meeting the requirements at one installation will not negate the need to fill the unmet requirements at the other.

Our goal is to come up with a way ahead that works for the Army and the landowners. We will continue to work cooperatively with the state of Colorado and the landowners, and are hopeful we can arrive at an agreeable solution that meets the Army's needs and is also acceptable and can be embraced by the landowners. If the Army is patient, and if we do a good job listening to the Congressional delegation and local stakeholders, the Army is confident that ultimately a mutual agreeable way ahead can be found."

Eeyore

May 14, 2009, 10:10 PM

This was in the Denver Business Journal and will help Pueblo's chances of getting all the proposed alternative energy developments as it will make it easier to get the power from Pueblo to the rest of the region.

Colorado’s two largest power companies — Xcel Energy Inc. and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association — said Thursday they want to build a new, $180 million, transmission line in southern Colorado.

The project, backed by Westminster’s Tri-State and Minneapolis-based Xcel, would build a transmission line from the San Luis Valley in south-central Colorado to Walsenburg and north to Pueblo. Applications for approval by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission were filed Thursday.

The goal is to strengthen the state’s power grid, serve increasing demand for electricity and offer transmission access for new, renewable power sources, the companies said in a joint statement. The project has been dubbed the “San Luis Valley-Calumet-Comanche Transmission Project.”

Xcel is Colorado’s largest power and natural gas provider, serving about 70 percent of the state’s population.

“Tri-State and Xcel Energy are building needed transmission infrastructure to serve the state’s long-term needs and support the goals of the New Energy Economy,” said Joel Bladow, Tri-State’s senior vice president of transmission, in a statement. “This project is a great example of our coordinated efforts to ensure reliable power delivery throughout the region.”

Xcel’s Kent Larson, vice president for transmission and operating services, said in a statement that the two utilities “are combining our resources and assets to put forward a strong plan that addresses load growth and supports future renewable energy development.”

The PUC must issue a ruling that the new transmission line is needed before construction can begin. The utilities also need land use approvals from local governments along the line’s path.

Eeyore

May 15, 2009, 12:10 AM

KOAA is doing the 6 pm newscast live from the Riverwalk in Pueblo for the start of the Wild West Fest! I am going to the concert at 7 and later will be at the Riverwalk to take pictures. Tomorrow I will post them and report back how the event is going.

http://managekoaa.worldnow.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=3762404&h1=West%20Fest&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=153167&LaunchPageAdTag=News&fvCatNo=&backgroundImageURL=&activePane=info&rnd=48152366

:banana:

acw007

May 15, 2009, 12:52 AM

Sadly I have to report that the contract between Corporex and the Fort Collins DDA has run out. Corporex was unable to secure financing for the massive downtown hotel and convention center before they put a freeze on all of their projects last October. The project would have also featured two levels of underground parking, 80,000 sq ft of office space, 30,000 square feet of retail, and residential units on the upper levels of the hotel. The project had a $60,000,000 price tag. On a positive note I am very happy to report that the DDA has been in talks with 8 different hotel developers who would like to take on the project and the DDA has the option to buy back the plans from Corporex. So RIP gorgeous convention center hotel:

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/acwilson007/hotel4-1.jpg

For now anyway... That’s up to the developer who takes on the project. If they go with the plans that have already been drawn up and approved then we could see groundbreaking by years end, if they redesign the project we could be a couple years away. Either way with a $60,000,000 dollar price tag and $12,000,000 in incentives from the DDA I'm sure the end result will be worth the wait. Personally I would like to see them change their focus and build a lager scale hotel under the Marriott name or something along those lines rather than a smaller over priced boutique hotel like a Hyatt. Go new tallest! lol.

Eeyore

May 15, 2009, 6:11 AM

Eeyore

May 15, 2009, 6:38 AM

acw007

May 15, 2009, 7:22 AM

If it makes you feel any better I know what you are going through. I think all of us on the front range, and the country, have had projects put on hold because of this economy...

:(

To be honest I get more depressed when a major project gets canceled then when I get rejected by a hot guy

:jester:

Originally I was pretty upset but I've had way long to deal with it. When corporex put a hold on all of its projects last fall we all saw this coming and the downtown development authority has been trying to get out of the contract since then but corporex wasn't speaking to anyone. Now that the contract has expired we are free to negotiate with anyone we please. There has been a mad rush to build a full scale hotel downtown for a good decade now but the land just doesn't exist so people have been amassing land and waiting for peoples leases to expire. Now the time is right. The only reason I even mentioned the fact that the contract expired is because I was pretty jazzed when I found out there are 8 developers fighting for the project already and the DDA hasn't even put out bids. Hopefully the project gets back on track soon. The DDA is basically giving away the site to who ever builds the project. Couple this with the mysterious "city centre" project, it's a very exciting time to live here.
I still take rejection harder though lol. Thank jesus I don't need to date anymore. I found my boo. :)

acw007

May 15, 2009, 7:25 AM

This came across on my google alerts but to be honest I am not sure if this is for the solar plant or something else.

This is the part of the article I found interesting:

"The Company signed three new franchisees; Pueblo, Colorado, Helena/Yellowstone, Montana and Central Sierra, California territories."

The link: http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2328909/

Interesting... I learned today that Fort Collins based Wirsol Energy signed an exclusive agreement to only use Abound Solar products. Abound is also based in Fort Collins. This could come in very handy when FortZED is implemented.

Eeyore

May 15, 2009, 3:05 PM

Interesting... I learned today that Fort Collins based Wirsol Energy signed an exclusive agreement to only use Abound Solar products. Abound is also based in Fort Collins. This could come in very handy when FortZED is implemented.

I hope it is all connected. I would love to see a Fort Collins based company build the largest solar plant in the world in Pueblo. That would keep Colorado the alternative energy leader of the country!

Eeyore

May 15, 2009, 3:09 PM

I think this is what everyone was waiting to see so I decided to post part of the article then the link from the Gazette.

"Colorado Springs has lost out to Texas in its bid to house the 24th Air Force, a 400-airman unit that will defend military computer networks while planning Internet warfare at America's enemies."

:(

The link: http://www.gazette.com/news/force-54076-air-springs.html

wong21fr

May 15, 2009, 4:25 PM

^Bah, let me know when a Aviation Brigade shows up at Carson.

CS-Urbanist

May 15, 2009, 6:15 PM

Colorado Springs did something right for a change! Congratulations on your new data center!

The Colorado Springs City Council unanimously approved an economic development agreement today that gives Hewlett-Packard about $4.8 million in incentives to build a $260 million "next-generation" data center on South Rockrimmon Boulevard.

The incentives are all in the form of tax rebates.

"Hewlett-Packard has been here since 1961," said Lisa Bigelow, the city's economic development director. "It has been very important for our local economy to keep this type of industry as well as grow this newer generation technology."

Vice Mayor Larry Small said it was an "honor" to have Hewlett-Packard in the Springs.

The company is "a hallmark in the business world," he said.

Am I the only person who does not feel that this is worth tax rebates? My gut tells me that new companies should be incentivized to be downtown not the suburbs, but I guess if the building is going to be windowless and just for a bunch of equipment maybe it doesn't belong downtown. I am torn on this, does anyone else feel the same way (Eyeore I already know your stance on it).

wong21fr

May 15, 2009, 6:38 PM

Depends, would you want to provide incentive to have something like this in DT COS?

(Image from Denverinfill.com)
http://www.denverinfill.com/images/elevation/central_downtown/130/block_130_nw.jpg

There's positives and negatives regarding incentives. COS probably needs to do what it can to ensure that it's high-tech industry stays within the city, even though it won't be DT. I wouldn't want to see the tech corridor along US-36 disappear due to the assets it brings to the Denver Metro area.

Eeyore

May 15, 2009, 6:55 PM

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/IMG_1111.jpg

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/IMG_1112.jpg

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/josseppie/IMG_1113.jpg

It was a great concert last night! While there I decided to take pictures of the Colorado State Fair Events Center and post them. They built it so in the future it can be expanded to complete the oval and they can easily add a second story. Personally, I think that was a good idea so it can grow with Pueblo and the state fair.

BTW this was paid for by the state so thank you!

:thankyouthankyou:

Eeyore

May 15, 2009, 8:42 PM

This is a test. This is only a test. If this were a lol oh wait that is for somehting else.

I want to start making videos on Pueblo and am trying to figure out how to do it. I am still a long ways off from having nice videos with music but hopefully I will get there!

This is from the concert last night at the state fair. The group performing was Lonestar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHRXxjyfByQ

If anyone knows of a better way to do this could you tell me. Thanks!

acw007

May 15, 2009, 11:44 PM

Am I the only person who does not feel that this is worth tax rebates? My gut tells me that new companies should be incentivized to be downtown not the suburbs, but I guess if the building is going to be windowless and just for a bunch of equipment maybe it doesn't belong downtown. I am torn on this, does anyone else feel the same way (Eyeore I already know your stance on it).

I know how you feel. We have the same issue here. All of our major employers are on Harmony road. Thousands and thousands of people that could be downtown are working to continue the sprawl. But I do understand the need to be there. Some of the buildings are exactly how you described them, windowless and full of a bunch of equipment. So I'm cool with some of them being out there. For Fort Collins at least, I think the future of our downtown lays in green companies. We are working to be the world’s largest active zero energy district and we already have a great base of environmentally friendly companies downtown. Hopefully all of this will attract new companies.