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Blog Entry 2 of 14 Old Fort Carson

A running history of Fort Carson, from its beginnings in World War II. I know some of it. You fill in the rest.

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What's Gone Wrong With the Westside?

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Contributed by: Dave Hughes on 3/30/2007

Having been involved from the beginning of the Revitalization of historic Old Colorado City commercial district and the Residential Westside 30 years ago,there is no question that the revival worked.

But now there are problems. Objective Proof of them came when the 24 year old St Patrick's Day parade was yanked out of Colorado City this year -2007 -and moved downtown, depriving merchants who had supported it all those years and who depended upon it to support their struggling economies.

The first signs of trouble came last year when NEWCOMERS to the Westside, started complaning, first to the Organization of Westside Neighbors (OWN) and then the City, that the 30 year old 3 day 'Territory Days' celebration was 'Too Big.'

That pitted residents against the small businesses which keep the core three block Old Town alive, and who very much depend on both the business that festival brings and - more importantly - the exposure of this very small shopping district to greater Colorado Springs and ITS newcomers from the far eastside - which helps get business all year long. For Old Colorado City business district is in direct competition with the growing Big Box eastside with its huge malls and big dollar advertising that is 10 miles away fromOld Colorado City.

Those of us who remember - 1975 - when FIFTY PERCENT of all the 98 commerical buildings between 24th and 27th streets West Colorado Avenue were VACANT. And business was all but gone. The Westside was so broke the CITY had to step in with Block Grant Money and try to revitalize it. And not only was the commercial district obviously 'blighted' but so was the Residential Westside. The city had also to stimulate THAT with programs like the Westside Housing Service that provided subsidized financial help for lower middle income!

But now residents are complaining of small business on THEIR side of town.!

Now I chose to buy a house on North 24th Street 30 years ago which is the CLOSEST home to ALL the activities that go on on Colorado Avenue and Bancroft Park - only 2 doors away - from the activities of Territory Days, Farmer's Market, Craft Fairs, AND St Patrick's Day parades.These activites have NEVER bothered me or my family. Why do they - especially the newcomers - find they can't 'tolerate' the crowds andmore crowded parking3 days a YEAR?

Is it NIMBY? The"Not In My Back Yard' syndrome that afflicts Airports, shopping Centers, downtowns all over the country? Newcomers With LITTLE regard for the interests or needs of others?

What has happened to the long Friendly Westside? And why is it mostly the Newcomers who complain, while the old long timers do not?

Perhaps they, the oldtimers, remember how BAD the declining Westside was when they lived here 25-30 years ago. See the other pictures to see

So what's gone wrong with the Westside?

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Submitted By: Dave Hughes

posted on 6/11/2007 @ 7:11:51 PM

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The shock of losing the St Patrick's Day parade sobered up some of the complainers about 'events' in Old Colorado City. So far there hasn't been anything like the number of complaints about this year's Territory Days, that there was after last year's, even though this one drew 120,000 according to the Police. Maybe some of the NIMBY local newcomers are beginning to realize its better to work with, than against, the merchants - who are still struggling this year.

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Submitted By: joyce mills

posted on 5/16/2007 @ 7:46:59 PM

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I'm new to Colorado as a resident. For 10 years I have planned on how to live here while living in Ohio. I wanted to only live here on the West side and I can tell you I can't wait for the town to spring to life again. I love Territory Days and open my yard up for company to park so they can enjoy those 3 days!

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Submitted By: Dave Hughes

posted on 4/5/2007 @ 4:25:58 PM

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Well, it is continuing. A Westsider who owns s commercial building at 1201 West Colorado Avenue, which has been standing vacant decided to try and make it with a small tavern with outside seating. It requires two variences to work, even though it is in a C-6 commercial zone. Well someone who said she was speaking for the Organization of Westside Neighbors - OWN - said 'they' were strongly opposed to permitting the variances. She was speaking only for herself. So the small business association OCCA got into the act and asked businessmen to call the City Planning and support the request. Another case of a resident's opposition to small businesses.

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