Sopris Sun Staff Report
Garfield County has received approval to apply for a $750,000 state GOCO grant to build an underpass at the intersection of Highway 82/133 and other improvements to County Road 107 extending to the Red Hill trailhead, according to the weekly report from Carbondale Town Manager Jay Harrington. GOCO received 26 such applications and 12 (including Garfield County’s) were chosen to move forward. “The 12 recommended projects were the highest quality projects in terms of meeting … goals: public input and planning, ability to complete within the timeframe, and matching and leveraging potential.” The GOCO board will decide on grant funding in June.
In other news from Harrington’s weekly report:
• The town has closed the Colorado Avenue parking lot to the public for the duration of the overhead utilities undergrounding project, which will continue into November. On a related note, a town crew moved the Town of Carbondale sign from the north side of Main Street to the south side; they also moved the CCAH artwork. A town staffer will coordinate with CCAH to find a new home for the piece. The three blue spruce trees at Main Street and Highway 133 were also removed to facilitate the utility undergrounding project.
• Existing light poles and fixtures at the Gus Darien riding arena were removed in preparation for the new light poles and fixtures scheduled to arrive the week of Oct. 21-25.
• Carbondale’s Gateway RV park closed for the season on Oct. 15. From May 1-Oct. 15, the overall occupancy rate was 34 percent. The two campground hosts said they plan to return in 2014.
• The sound baffles have been removed from the gazebo in Sopris Park.
• The Parks & Recreation Commission recommended the Town work with Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) to reroute and reconstruct a 25-yard section of Crystal River trail within the Hendrick Ranch PUD Conservation Overlay District. Also, the P&RC recommend allocating $24,000 to seven community organizations to sponsor and stage special events in 2014. The town trustees will review the recommendation in November.
• Work continues on the 2014 budget and close attention is being paid to revenues.
• Leaf Days continue.
• At the recreation center, adult sports include the 4-on-4-volleyball league with nine teams on Monday night, drop–in basketball on Wednesday night and drop-in soccer on Friday night. Adult weekly fitness offerings included in membership include: Integrative Stretching, Silver Sneakers Classic, Silver Sneakers yoga classes, Core Cardio, Zumba, Power Ball, and Hatha Yoga. Registration is open for the broomball and adult basketball leagues.
• On Oct. 16, Carbondale police officers assisted the Garfield County Sheriff’s Department in removing transients above County Road 100 just east of the city limits.
• The Carbondale Revolving Loan Fund had a table at the small business-funding forum at CMC in Glenwood Springs on Oct. 16.
• Town staff members have been meeting with RFTA and other regional trail advocates to submit a CDOT Section 5304 Planning Grant application, due on Nov. 4. If funded, the grant will allow for the development of a regional bicycle and pedestrian master plan that encompasses the I-70 corridor from Parachute to Glenwood Springs, and the Highway 82 corridor from Glenwood Springs to Aspen. The plan would establish a 25-year vision, with goals, objectives and project priorities for regional trails and bike/pedestrian facilities to be contained within the 2040 Statewide Transportation Plan.