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Colo. Unveils Sustainable 05-07-10 | News

Colo. Unveils Sustainable
Main Streets Initiative

Five Points, one of the four Colorado communities to pilot a new Sustainable Main Streets Initiative, is northeast of downtown Denver. It was the first predominantly African-American neighborhood in Denver, although statistically it no longer is. Incorporating light rail into the neighborhood has been a plus, but higher rents have forced some residents to relocate to the Denver suburbs. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Gov. Bill Ritter announced April 28, 2010 that four Colorado communities will pilot a new Sustainable Main Streets Initiative to ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The four pilot communities are Five Points, Fowler, Monte Vista and Rifle. The communities are geographically distributed throughout Colorado and have ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Gov. Ritter signed an executive order directing multiple state agencies to partner and concentrate on creating more livable local communities.

During a news conference in Denver?EUR??,,????'?????<

The Sustainable Main Streets Initiative will direct state agencies to identify and target specific resources to support community projects, with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) leading the initiative.

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The initiative proposes to begin implementing short term, low cost improvements, but also identify two to five year improvements plans.

Specific objectives of the initiative are to:

Decrease the number of vacant storefronts.
Identify potential infill and mix-use projects, including affordable housing options.
Improve the pedestrian friendliness of main streets and increasing transportation choices.
Reduce operating costs through improved energy conservation/efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources.
Identify water conservation strategies.

Visit Gov. Ritter?EUR??,,????'?????<https://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/GovRitter/GOVR/1177024890424.