Proposed toll road east of Interstate 25
Re: “Toll road is ramping up; Super Slab officials notify those who may lose land,” Aug. 29 news story.
Imagine being a rancher on the Eastern Plains. There don’t seem to be any plans for overpasses on roads other than state or federal highways. Imagine having to drive 10 or more miles, one way, out of your way to get from one field to a neighboring field. Then, as a consumer, imagine the increase in cost for the product that rancher is producing. What if that same rancher has desirable land that falls between Super Slab and the proposed railroad? Even though it may be valuable land, it would now become useless land because of the hazards and difficulty accessing it. This happened to ranchers when Interstate 25 was built.
As a motorist, you would be prevented from using east-west county roads to drive to the city for shopping or work. What do you think your gasoline bill will be then?
The federal government is planning to build the Ports to Plains trade corridor on the Eastern Plains. They also plan to include other infrastructure. Don’t you think that would be a better solution to the problem of re-routing traffic?
Linda Kelly, Pierce
Architect’s designs for updating Civic Center
Re: “A soaring plan for Civic Center,” Aug. 31 news story.
A little of this, a little of that, and Daniel Libeskind’s plans for our beloved Civic Center is a mish-mash of ideas ruining the symmetry, the beauty and the history of our classic Civic Center. We already have the Denver Art Museum for the futuristic look; repair what needs to be done and leave Civic Center the way it is, a beautiful traditional classic space.
I love walking from the library or the art museum across Civic Center, admiring the gorgeous flower beds, the view of the state Capital to the East, the Denver City and County Building to the west and the sound of water in the seal pond when it is working. It is not that tough to cross the street, but if the McNichols building had a sidewalk cafe, I would certainly stop right there to have a refreshing drink or lunch and admire the view. The one good idea Libeskind had was putting the McNichols building to better use.
No grandiose plan is going to solve the problem of the homeless and panhandlers in the area, and that should be a priority to solve first. Denver citizens, let your voice be heard before this monstrosity is thrust upon us, ruining our classic Civic Center.
Patricia A. Sandstedt Denver
…
Letter-writer Herb Herndon (Sept. 1 Open Forum) congratulated the Post/News on their new attractive building – and how it fit in. He contrasted that with the “hideous Denver Art Museum addition which resembles an alien spacecraft that crash-landed due to inherent design flaws.”
For years, I thought maybe I was the only Denver resident who felt that way about the DAM – and Herndon made me realize that there are probably hundreds or thousands of us who do.
Meanwhile, the same mindset that created that “disaster area” has been turned loose on our venerable Civic Center. Granted, Civic Center is in dire need of revitalization. However, I surely do hope and trust that reason will prevail – before it is turned into a miniature “Disneyland.”
Richard McCormack, Denver
In defense of Ken Caryl area’s private trails
Re: “Caring for trails in Highlands Ranch, Ken Caryl,” Aug. 29 Open Forum.
I’d like to address letter-writer Patricia Werner’s comments about the Ken Caryl trail system.
Like many of our amenities, the Ken Caryl trail system is solely supported by the dues-paying homeowners of this community, and it is private property owned by the Ken Caryl Master Association. The users of the trails are comprised of hikers, runners, bikers and equestrians.
A salary-paid ranger staff is responsible for patrolling and coordinating maintenance of these trails and the nearly 5,000 acres of open space. These salaries and benefits are paid via homeowners’ dues. Our only volunteers are those who help with maintenance on specific days, led by our rangers; we do not have any volunteer patrol rangers.
We do allow non-residents of Ken Caryl to use our trail system when accompanied by a resident. We have granted special permission for educational, special-interest and research groups as well. We have a reciprocal agreement with the Willow Springs trail club (our neighbors to the north) to gain access to our trails and the Ken Caryl trail club to their trail system. And we have had discussions with Jefferson County to connect their trail system to the north and south of Ken Caryl using specific trails on our land which would be used by non-residents.
By limiting the use of the land to our residents and special groups, we are acting responsibly and as good stewards of these precious natural areas. The ongoing sighting of black bears, mountain lions, bobcats, elk, deer, coyotes, rattlesnakes, bull snakes and various raptors are constant reminders of this. In the meantime, the Ken Caryl ranger staff makes every effort to preserve our open space and addresses any situation that leads to its damage – including paintball guns, illegal activities, and dogs off leash.
Chasing senior citizens or any other group off our trails is not a ranger staff priority.
Don Coufal, President, Ken Caryl Master Association Board of Directors, Littleton
Iraq, Iran and elections
With two months to go before the midterm elections, and growing doubt among Republicans that they can hold both houses of Congress, word has clearly gone out among the party faithful to set the stage for war with Iran. And so the Republican echo machine has responded. Gone from their lexicon are Afghanistan (unsecured), Osama (uncaptured), WMDs (undiscovered), Saddam (unconvicted), and an increasingly uncontrolled and uncontrollable Iraq. The memory hole must be getting crowded. Now all we hear from Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, Melman, Santorum, etc., is “Iran, Iran, Iran … .” Doesn’t anyone remember the run-up to the invasion of Iraq? The words have changed, but the tune’s exactly the same.
A.J. Hill, M.D., Nederland
The Democratic path
If the Democrats win control of the House and Senate in 2006 or 2008, they most likely will start a pullout of our troops in Iraq ASAP. This policy will signal the world that we have been defeated, which will embolden terrorists worldwide. We soon could be the only nation against the whole world of terrorism. If that is the case, you have two choices: death or find a prayer rug that you could use five times per day.
Dan Davis, Aurora
Failure of toll roads
A few thoughts regarding the failed Northwest Parkway toll road – when we find ourselves in a hole, stop digging.
Here’s the irony: The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Arvada are pushing for another toll road through West Jefferson County, connecting with the Northwest Parkway. CDOT conveniently ignores its own traffic projections that demonstrate this toll road will not be viable either. Into 2030, only 10 percent of West Jeffco drivers will use this toll road, and even fewer metro drivers will. Tolling has become a scam of half-truths about their viability, and the Northwest Parkway is testament to the scam. (Of course, Arvada’s real motivation is to push development and sprawl).
It’s also ludicrous to believe that people don’t drive the Northwest Parkway toll road because it doesn’t “connect.” With this logic, ask yourself, what happens if a new West Jeffco toll road also fails? Build another one? Then maybe another to make it all work? Toll roads are private businesses that must stand on their own two feet just like any other business. If they fail, it means they’re not viable. “Connecting the loop” looks good on paper, but it’s just another hole waiting to be dug.
Rob Medina, President, Citizens Involved in the Northwest Quadrant, Golden
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