In a recent Front Porch article, RTD acknowledged the A Line train horn would be blaring for at least another six months. They came to this conclusion after using the most sophisticated technology at their fingertips; the groundhog. “We have a groundhog, named Thomas,” explained RTD spokesperson Tina Jaquez. “Every six months or so we pull him out to see if he hears his shadow. If he hears his shadow, we know it will be at least six more months where we will have to use the train horn to alert people at the crossings.” The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) says the A Line is not up to safety standards in regards to crossing gates going up and down in a timely manner. “We need to fix a few bugs,” says Jaquez. “But, we really don’t know how to fix those things. It probably seems like it would be easy, given the technological advances of today, but we just aren’t sure where to start. So, we will keep using the groundhog until we get a better idea.”

[Read more…] about Groundhog Hears Shadow; Train Horn to Blast for Six More Months

Two weeks ago, Forest City set down a pedestrian bridge near Prairie Meadow Dr. and 51st Ave. The bridge, in sync with other bridges Forest City has placed, seems to serve no purpose at all. “What the hell is a bridge doing there?” asked Stapleton resident Chris Royal. “There is nothing there. What are they trying to connect? I have to believe that is pretty expensive and a big waste of money.” Laura Grossman also sees the bridge as a waste of resources. “They have been working on the 26th Ave. Park forever,” said Grossman. “Why put any resources into putting down a bridge that doesn’t do anyone any good? How about a pedestrian bridge from the Eastbridge neighborhood to the town center instead of those dangerous crossings?” For its part, Forest City seems to be impressed with its work. “What we did is really kind of amazing,” said Forest City spokesperson Janelle Ayers. “We took a bridge and placed it basically in the middle of nowhere, for no apparent reason. Now, we have to figure out how we need to design around the bridge. A lot of people do it the other way. Create the surrounding environment and then decide if and how to put a bridge in.” Ayers didn’t offer any information on why the bridge was being placed there. “Maybe just because we can,” said Ayers smugly. “Look, this is a big thing, building a bridge. This is just another addition to the many wonderful bridges in Stapleton.” Forest City says the bridge will be open to the public by late April, but they are not sure why anyone would need to ever walk on it.

Like many people, I have struggled for over a year to understand how anyone could support Donald Trump. Yet, 63 million people voted for him in the 2016 Presidential election. Donald Trump is our current President and problem, but the solution isn’t simply getting him out of office. It goes much deeper than that. We need to understand who these 63 million voters are and why they felt compelled to vote for a man not qualified to run a country and who has no moral backbone. Over the last six months, I have been on my own journey trying to wrap my head around why anyone would vote for someone so vile, unintelligent, and narcissistic. Through reading and conversations with people on both sides of the campaign, I am continually evolving in my understanding of these 63 million voters. Some of these voters can be easily and obviously grouped into buckets such as those so fiscally conservative they could never vote for a Democrat, or those social conservatives who believe liberals are destroying America’s moral fiber, and of course those who simply didn’t want a “liberal” nominating Supreme Court Justices. Other small buckets include those who hate the Clintons and those who are worried Democrats care going to take their guns. Most certainly, some of the 63 million voters go into these buckets. And although I don’t agree with any of those positions, I can at least comprehend why these voters went with Trump. But, I strongly believe these voters make up only a small percentage of the total Trump vote. So, we must press on.

[Read more…] about My Struggles to Categorize 63 Million People

Construction of homes along the south side of 26th Ave. is well under way. Soon, several new homes will be completed in the Eastrbidge neighborhood since construction ended on the last home over five years ago. “It’s really great for the Eastbridge community,” said Eastbridge resident Chad Bauer. “There are so many great things going on in our area, and this just adds to it.” Like many of his neighbors, Chad is looking forward to meeting those who will be moving into the homes surrounding the 26th Ave. Park. “Of course, we already have lots of friends in the hood,” exclaimed Chad. “But, when you get older, nothing really new changes, so stories get stale. It’s great to meet new friends who will listen to our old stories and actually be interested in them.” Eastbridge resident Christie Patterson is curious as to what they will be like. “Will they drive a Volvo or will it be an Audi?” Patterson questioned eagerly. “Are they going to be upper middle income, or upper, upper middle income? So many things they could be!” Resident Ron Zimmer has some curiosities of his own. “How white are they going to be,” asked Zimmer? “Like, white-white, or like a more tan white person? Man, I wish they were moving in tomorrow so I could just know.” Other residents want to know about their family dynamic. “How many white kids are they going to have? Two or three?” questioned Clinton St. resident Mark Fulton. “Will the mom be an 8 or a 9? The suspense is killing me.” Residents are expected to move in as soon as this spring, which can’t come soon enough for these eager residents. “I love that Stanley is open, and of course, I am excited about things going on at the Eastbridge Town Center,” said Bauer. “But, I am so looking forward to meeting our new neighbors on the park. “I’m really excited to find out what Big Ten college they attended.” Patterson hopes to build a relationship with the new residents and “maybe get invited to their place in Vail. Or Breckenridge. Wherever they have a place.” Whomever moves into the new homes, we all look forward to the continued diversification of the neighborhood. 

Well, it’s finally here. Restaurants and shops in the Stanley Marketplace are open. “We are excited to announce we are open for business,” project leader Mitchell Roberts announced last month. “This is phase one of our opening with several places opening up now, and we expect to soon have almost 50 different businesses open for food, booze, retail, fitness, and other services. This is happening, people.” Those who have been to Stanley are extremely pleased with what they have seen. “It’s a really cool atmosphere,” said resident Brian Uker. “And they are just getting started. When they get everything in there, it is going to be even better.” Resident Josh Barrett agrees. “I think it’s great now, but when the weather gets nice enough to ride or walk there, it’s going to be fantastic,” said Barrett. “Did you know that at Cheluna, you can have them can you a beer to go? That’s a real thing. They can it, right in front of you, and you take it with you.” Residents have been impressed with the food choices as well. “We have eaten at Comida a few times and really enjoyed it,” said Lori Young. “Food is great, and it is a hip environment, but still family friendly.”

[Read more…] about Drive Through Aurora to Stanley Totally Worth It

Stapleton developer Forest City recently became upset with White House officials when the White House used a copyrighted term without the authority of Forest City. “Without our expressed written consent, White House Presidential Counselor Kellyanne Conway used the term ‘alternative facts,’” said Forest City spokesperson Janelle Ayers. “That specific term was coined and copyrighted by Forest City in 2012, and we have never released that term for use by others without payment or litigation. We have sent a cease and desist letter to the White House along with legal documents letting them know we are pursuing this matter in the courts.”

[Read more…] about Forest City Files Copyright Infringement Suit Against White House for Unauthorized Use of Term, “Alternative Facts”

When developers purchased the Stapleton control tower, Randy Gibbons and his team knew it was going to be a challenging project. The original estimate was to be open in around five years, but under the current conditions, that goal doesn’t seem realistic. “This has proven to be a bigger challenge than we even imagined,” said Gibbons. “I mean, we completely gutted the place, and we keep finding more and more issues. Structurally, spatially, and really anything you could think of. If we continue down the path of renovating, the budget and timeline will continue to balloon.” Gibbons has made a new proposal to Punch Bowl, Forest City, and the Stapleton Principal HOA. “What we are proposing is simply tearing down the existing facility and starting from scratch,” said Gibbons. “I know that is going to disappoint some people, but the fact that we can get the project completed in less than a year will probably ease their disappointment.”

[Read more…] about Punch Bowl Developers: “Screw It. Let’s Tear it Down and Start Over.”

Stapleton Principal HOA President Paul Harris is following through on his original plan to build a wall between Stapleton and Aurora. Sort of. In his original announcement, Harris promised a wall, but said the Stapleton Principal HOA would not have to pay for a dime of it. “We are going to build the wall,” shouted Harris. “And they (pointing to Aurora) are going to pay for it.” Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan has repeatedly stated his city will not take part in paying any money for a wall between Stapleton and Aurora. “It’s absolutely ridiculous,” said Hogan. “This is not something we have ever considered, nor is it something we would ever do. In the few conversations I have had with Harris, he is clearly not the kind of person who is sound of mind, and he cannot be trusted.” Harris says that plans for a wall have been drawn up, and construction will start this spring. “This project is too important to be delayed any longer,” said Harris. “We are going to move this project forward for the people of Stapleton.” Experts have estimated the cost of such a project to be somewhere between five and ten million dollars.

[Read more…] about Stapleton Principal HOA Building a Wall; Aurora to Pay Us Back