Brews, Blues and BBQ Moves to Edgewater
Jackalope Art & Craft Fair Joins Festival
RTD Update: The Train is a Comin’!
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special insert
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Gazette NEIGHBORHOOD
WHEAT RIDGE | EDGEWATER | APPLEWOOD | MOUNTAIN VIEW | LAKESIDE
ngazette.com
JULY 19—AUGUST 15, 2016
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Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival – It Just Keeps Getting Better By Meghan Godby
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lose your eyes for a moment and travel back in time. The year is 1969. It’s an iconic period of our nation’s history, an era where closets burst with psychedelic colors, Apollo 11 lands on the moon and thousands of music lovers gather for the first Woodstock music festival. Yet amidst the hustle and bustle of this rich cultural landscape, big things are happening close to home. Founded in 1969, the City of Wheat Ridge made its mark in an unexpected way: growing carnations. The area was once home to more than 30 different growers; in fact, a bouquet was delivered weekly to the White House. Once deemed “Carnation City,” it’s no surprise that Wheat Ridge residents take pride in this history. In fact, our roots are celebrated every summer at the aptly named Carnation Festival. Now in its 47th year, the festival is a treasured community tradition and one of the longest running festivals in Colorado. With such an outpouring of local support, it’s no surprise that this year’s festival, which runs from Aug. 12 to 14 in Anderson Park, will be bigger and better than ever. Over 25,000 people are expected to attend, flocking to time-honored favorites like the Zoppe Family Circus. Visitors can expect the same festivities from years past: a parade, live music, delicious food and even art displays. This year, however, there are a few exciting changes in store. Gina Hallisey, the festival’s Executive Director, has been orchestrating the behind-
the-scenes magic since 2012. Her favorite part? “Watching it all come together […] and seeing people enjoying themselves,” she said. “It makes all the year-long planning worthwhile.” Perhaps the biggest addition to this year’s festival is the Jackalope Art & Craft Fair - a place to shop, mingle and get inspired. More than 150 vendors will be selling their unique, handmade goods, perfect for anyone looking to get a head start on their holiday shopping. It’s an intimate shopping experience guaranteed to delight all five senses. After all, how often do you get to meet the person behind a product? The fair runs from 4 to 11 p.m. on Aug. 12 and from noon to 11 p.m. on Aug. 13. The improvements don’t stop there, however. While the festival traditionally features two nights of fireworks, this year’s displays will truly raise the bar. Thanks to Noble Energy, a returning sponsor, there have been substantial upgrades sure to wow children and adults alike. Gina was delighted to share an exciting partnership with Steve Shriber, a former resident of Wheat Ridge and owner of Firestorm Pyrotechnics. Shriber has a special treat in store for his former hometown. “[Expect] a symphony of fire, color, sound and light,” said Hallisey. “We are very excited to take the fireworks to the next level due to the generous sponsorship of Noble Energy and the addition of Firestorm.” In addition to the craft fair and expanded fireworks display, the carnival will grow to Continued on page 15
Edgewater Proposes New Civic Center, Fitness Center and Library By Joel Newton
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t the Edgewater City Council business meeting on July 7, City Manager H. J. Stalf announced the news that plans have begun for a new Edgewater Civic Center. The proposed 36,000-square-foot space would include a 10,000-square-foot library, and a 14,000-square-foot fitness center as well as a new police station and city hall. The new civic center will be on the north end of Walker Branch Park. Walker Branch Park is on the east side of Harlan Street between 16th and 18th avenues. City staff have been working with the Jefferson County Public Library for the last few years to make this plan become a reality and revenues from a library mill levy increase and Edgewater marijuana sales tax revenues make it possible. At the council meeting, Jeffco Library Executive Director Pam Nissler expressed her excitement for a 21st-century library in Edgewater that reflects the community’s aspirations and is inclusive for everyone with current and emerging technology. On Aug. 18 the city will hold an open
house for the community to see the concepts for the plan and give their feedback and ideas. Council will then approve two election questions for Edgewater residents for the Nov. 8 ballot. The first question will be to approve use of the land at Walker Branch and the second will be approving the $7 million debt that will be incurred to build the civic center. Stalf assured residents at the council meeting that this debt will be paid off in a few years with marijuana sales tax revenues. This new civic center would free up the properties that currently house the Edgewater Police Department and Jeffco Library at 25th and Gray to be transitioned to commercial spaces. City Hall at Sheridan and 24th Avenue would also be used as a commercial space. Edgewater Mayor Kristian Teegardin encouraged resident input in the process. “City Council and staff have worked diligently on this project, but the decision rests solely with the citizens of Edgewater,” said Teegardin. “I encourage everybody to attend the open house on Aug. 18 for a full purview of the plans.”
THE CARNIVAL MIDWAY LIGHTS UP THE SUMMER NIGHT during last year’s Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival. The 47th festival runs from Aug. 12 to 14 in Anderson Park and offers time-honored favorites and some new additions – including the 150 vendor Jackalope Art & Craft Fair. PHOTO COURTESY THE CARNATION FESTIVAL
Highland West: Still an Affordable Home for Seniors By Elisabeth Monaghan
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ccording to Zilpy.com, apartment rentals in the Denver area increased by nearly eight percent from this time last year. That means there are even fewer affordable apartments for families and individuals with low incomes. Hit especially hard by the ever-increasing rental costs are seniors with fixed incomes. Compounding this problem is that some apartments have converted to market rates, resulting in the displacement of seniors who have been left with fewer options. For those unfamiliar with the specific term, “affordable housing” refers to rental or owner-occupied dwellings that are affordable, regardless of the occupant’s income. The United States government considers housing costs at or below 30 percent of an individual’s total income to be affordable. While the need for affordable senior housing is more critical today, it is not a new issue. In 1961, recognizing the growing need for senior housing, a committee of nine church members from Highland Park Presbyterian Church, Wheat Ridge Presbyterian Church and Westminster Presbyterian Church formed the United Presbyterian Association (UPA) to create affordable housing for seniors, aged 62 and older. In June of 1965, Highland West Senior Citizens Apartments held its grand opening. By 1979, Highland West was at full capacity with an ever-growing waiting list, so the UPA approached the Colorado Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) in July of 1979, seeking financing for a new facility. The UPA secured discretionary funds in late 1981, and the doors to Highlands South, a 117-unit facility, opened in 1983. Fast-forward to 2016, and Highland West and Highlands South make up a single community (called Highland West) comprising three buildings with 117 units among them, plus the original tower that has
120 units. Resident Senior Coordinator Julia Spigarelli, who has worked in senior services for more than 20 years, has seen what happens when other complexes transition from affordable to market rate, which adds to her respect for the Highland West board of directors’ commitment to the founding mission of the community. “The board could have opted to sell this place many times over,” said Spigarelli. “Instead, they chose to adhere to the founding mission of providing affordable housing to seniors.” What’s more, the board decided to invest in renovating the community. The renovation work began in 2015 and is almost completed. In the tower, the units feature new carpet and paint, new kitchens and appliances, raised toilets and walk-in showers in the bathrooms, new windows and more open spaces. There also is an updated fire-prevention sprinkler system in each of the buildings. The community’s exterior has been updated as well, with new driveways and parking lots. Before the renovation began, Spigarelli reached out to nearby senior communities for their assistance with housing Highland West residents, who would have to move out while their units were being worked on. Centura Health housed a number of residents at two of its properties, the Gardens at St. Elizabeth and the Villas at Sunny Acres. A number of residents moved in with their families or friends. Executive Director of Highland West Mark Jellison cites a lengthy list of local organizations and government agencies whose support ensured a smooth renovation, but Jellison is especially grateful to the community residents for remaining patient throughout the project. “We did so much work in the tower that we had to relocate temporarily all of Continued on page 15