Longmont wants input on 1st & Main

0

Longmont residents are being invited to weigh in on the proposed redevelopment of the First and Main intersection as a transit area.

 

Options for the revitalization effort, which was prompted in part by the Regional Transportation District’s long-term plans for a commuter rail station at the site, include housing, bike trails, walking paths, restaurants, retail and light manufacturing uses. The closure of the nearby Butterball plant has only added to the opportunities to regenerate the area, officials say.

The city is hosting a “community roundtable” discussion about the project from 6 to 8 p.m. on

Wednesday, Jan. 25, in the Longmont Public Library, Meeting Rooms A and B.

City officials say they expect to have the study done by April 2012.

Local transit users met with First & Main planners on Dec. 8 to discuss improvements, and came up with several suggestions, including higher-frequency buses with more visibility along Main; a cross-town shuttle with a fixed route serving the hospital, Main, the senior center and the library; more flexible shuttle routes and Call-n-Ride; and coordination with Boulder County on including local Longmont service in the new service to Lyons that starts Jan. 22.

For
more information, see the First & Main project website at www.ci.longmont.co.us/firstandmain. To receive periodic updates about the
project or to contact the project team, email firstandmain@ci.longmont.co.us.

Grants benefit human services, youth

The
City of Boulder’s Department of Housing and Human Services is
allocating almost $2.4 million to support the nonprofit community in
2012.

This
year, the Human Services Fund will allocate nearly $2.2 million to
nonprofit agencies to support basic needs and prevention and early
intervention programs for Boulder residents. In addition, the Youth
Opportunities Program (YOP) has awarded $218,404 in grant funds to 13
nonprofits.

The Human
Services Fund was established in 1992 to help ensure that basic health
and safety needs of residents are met, and to support programs that help
residents remain self-sufficient. For a list of funded agencies and
programs or more information on how to apply, see http://1.usa.gov/HSFgrants or call 303- 441-4059.

The
YOP recommendations are made by a 16-person board of city high
schoolers appointed by the city manager. Annual grants to local
youth-serving organizations are provided for educational, cultural and
recreational opportunities. Youth who benefit from the funds perform
local volunteer work in exchange for the support.

For more information on the agencies and programs funded or to apply for future grants, go to www.yoab.org or call 303-441-4349.

Lafayette credit rating soars

While
some countries’ credit ratings have seen downgrades recently, City of
Lafayette officials were notified last week that its City Water
Enterprise Fund Bonds have been issued a AAA rating, the best possible
rating from Standard and Poor’s.

S&P affirmed
Lafayette’s water bonds to be of an “outstanding status with a stable
outlook” based on very strong cash position, strong coverage of future
maximum annual debt service based on 2010 financial results, and a
stable customer base.

“This
is a phenomenal event for a small town like Lafayette,” says Robert
Wright, Lafayette finance director. “Most large cities don’t have the
distinction of earning a AAA rating. For consumers who may not
understand the significance of this accomplishment, an AAA rating is the
gold standard of bond ratings. It’s comparable to earning a perfect 850
on a consumer credit score.”

In
2011, the city began planning to issue new bonds for the water fund to
save money through lower interest rates. As a result of the rating, the
increased value of the bonds combined with the lower interest rate is
expected to save Lafayette taxpayers more than $1 million over the next
15 years.

Conservation nominations due Jan. 31

The
Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department is accepting nominations
for the annual Land Conservation Awards until Jan. 31.

Anyone
may nominate individuals, families or organizations that have made
outstanding contributions to the county in the areas of environmental
stewardship or historic preservation.

Special
consideration will be given to land conservation or historic
preservation activities that particularly affect unincorporated Boulder
County and for activities that demonstrate ongoing effort. One-time
efforts resulting in lasting benefits to the county’s environmental
landscape will also be favored.

Other
award selection criteria include conservation activities that are a
model for others or that increase public awareness of land conservation.

People
may not nominate themselves, nor can they nominate organizations of
which they are an officer or director. Projects of federal, state,
county, special district or municipal government agencies are not
eligible.

The county commissioners will present the awards in April at the county Parks and Open Space headquarters in Longmont.

For
more information, or to download the application, visit
www.BoulderCountyOpenSpace.org/lca, or contact Vivienne Jannatpour at vjannatpour@bouldercounty.org or 303-678- 6277.

Respond: letters@boulderweekly.com