Basalt Reviews Downtown Redevelopment Ideas
A committee charged with brainstorming redevelopment ideas for downtown Basalt presented their findings last night. The Downtown Area Advisory Committee met with Town Council, the Planning and Zoning committee and scores of interested citizens.
The volunteer committee has been meeting regularly since October, pouring over ideas from the community and a map of downtown Basalt. Basalt is considering redeveloping several key parcels including some riverfront acreage.
The committee came up with concepts rather than concrete suggestions. Moderator Paul Anderson says the idea was to explore how the community would feel with a certain level of development.
“They took a very broad-brushed look at what Basalt could be and what could bring the most vitality as a result.”
Still, the committee did nail down some details including where it would like to see commercial and residential development. On the map, the committee members pinpointed nine areas including a multi-story development where the old Clark’s Market building is standing.
“That building, that would be a perfect place for a sub-grade parking structure, or some kind of a focused solution to parking that would centralized, and then on top of that could be a performing arts center, or some kind of civic experience and then surrounded by interesting restaurants, boutiques, breweries and coffee shops.”
The committee also prioritized connecting the town to the Roaring Fork and Frying Pan rivers, improving Lion’s Park and allowing density to drive revitalization.
Town Council member Bernie Grauer questioned a few proposed changes.
“There’s no Wiley annex and there’s no town hall. Where did it go? And, how do we pay for it? That’s a big question in my mind.”
On the committee’s map, green space and open plazas replace town hall and the Wiley Arts Center. Committee members reiterated the plan is just an idea and nothing’s set in stone.
The Town Council will use the committee’s recommendations when it considers development ideas for the parcels. It will likely serve as a guide for developers interested in pursuing projects downtown. One developer, Lowe Enterprises, is already brainstorming ideas like a boutique hotel for one of the parcels.
Nebraska & Oklahoma Sue Colorado Over Pot Legalization
The Attorney Generals of two neighboring states are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down Colorado’s legalization of recreational pot. Nebraska and Oklahoma have filed a lawsuit stating Colorado's Amendment 64 and implementation is unconstitutional under the U.S. Constitution. Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning says Federal law prohibits the production and sale of marijuana. At the same time, he says Nebraska taxpayers are paying for an increase in marijuana-related arrests.
“It’s frustrating to have a sister state reaping tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue and sending the problem side of it to us.”
In a statement, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers said he’ll defend the state's legalization of marijuana. He says he believes the lawsuit is without merit and that the primary grievance stems from non-enforcement of federal laws regarding marijuana instead of the choices made by Colorado voters.
Low Snowpack This Winter
The snowpack in the Roaring Fork watershed is below average and its due in part to a lack of big storms so far this winter. The current snowpack for the watershed is 78% of normal and recent small storms have helped. Compared to last year though, snow depths are much lower, but it’s still early in the season.
Sarah Johnson with the Roaring Fork Conservancy tracks snowpack levels. Normally the Crystal River headwaters hold the most snow in our watershed. Right now, that area is reading 63% of normal.
“Most of our winter storms so far this winter have come from the north, and so those big storms that come from the southwest that dump so much snow in the Crystal headwaters, we haven’t seen a lot of those storms yet this season.”
Seven sites measure snowpack levels to come up with an overall reading for the Valley. Those sites are spread from the Crystal River to the Frying Pan and up Independence Pass.
Colorado Students to See Education Grants
Governor John Hickenlooper announced $3.4 million in grant funds aimed at supporting Colorado students. The investment is geared toward low income and under-represented populations and is meant to address workforce readiness, the college degree attainment gap and affordability issues. The money will go to programs around the state. In the Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs will receive $200,000.
