Due to the accumulation of nearly one foot of snow and the below freezing temperatures forecasted for the next 48 hours, the City of Centennial will plow residential streets within the City boundaries. Plowing of residential roadways will begin after the Priority 1 and 2 routes are completed and accumulating snow has stopped, which is anticipated to be overnight. Crews would like to avoid snow packed streets developing a layer of ice this weekend when the temperatures rise slightly above freezing back to freezing again. One pass by a truck mounted snow plow in each direction will occur in residential areas throughout the City. 

Read more: Centennial will plow residential streets

Just got this press release:

I-25/Arapahoe Road Interchange Environmental Assessment Update

Project Team To Recommend Elimination of the Costilla Crossing Alternative

As part of the I-25/Arapahoe Road Interchange Environmental Assessment (EA) process, over 25 alternatives for improvements at the I-25/Arapahoe Road interchange have been investigated.  These alternatives were evaluated based on their ability to reduce congestion, improve functional deficiencies and operations, and safety for the traveling public within the I-25 and Arapahoe Road interchange complex.

The project consultant plans to present the recommendations to the project’s technical and executive committees next month for approval.  These committees consist of technical staff and elected officials from Arapahoe County, the City of Centennial, the City of Greenwood Village, the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and the Denver Council of Regional Governments.

Read more: I-25/Arapahoe Road Update

We discussed a variety of topics at our first three meetings of January and we scheduled a special meeting for Monday, January 24th. The special meeting will include a study session and regular meeting specifically for approving a contract to begin construction on the Civic Center Park.

Here are some of the highlights:

• Medical marijuana ban – The council is leaning toward implementing a ban on medical marijuana businesses in the city. Although the ban would technically be permanent, the thought is to implement a ban until the “dust settles” at the Capitol. Then we can decide what Centennial wants to do (or put it out as a ballot question).
• Electronic signs – The city staff is working on a project that would allow shopping centers to use larger electronic signs if they are high quality and incorporate the look of Centennial’s new “gateway” signs. There was some debate on whether we should give the business any break on fees since they are building something that would help the city out.
• City manager policy powers – A lengthy debate was had on the role of the city manager and how much involvement the council wanted on day-to-day operations. Some council members feel it is the council’s responsibility to analyze every decision that impacts our citizens. Others (including me) believe that we should worry more about the big picture and let our professional staff implement the council’s policy without micromanaging them.
• Land purchase – The city council approved the purchase of  a 43.53 acre parcel located south of East Fremont Avenue and east of South Potomac Street.  The
  Subject Property is located to the east of the Arapahoe County Justice Center and northeast of the Denver Broncos Training Facility, and is currently  owned by the United States Postal Service. The price for the land is $3.3 million. The city is looking at various options for the land including a sports park, open space, etc.
• Liquor store tastings – Right now, the city allows liquor stores to host up to 50 tasting events per year. Other municipalities around us allow up to 104. Centennial has now changed our ordinance to also allow for 104 per year.

 The December 13th meeting was another long one. I think I got home at 1:15AM. Here are some of my notes from that meeting:

• CBDG Awards - Awarded several worthy causes to help derver meals to people in their homes, operate food banks, serve blind and deaf citizens, etc.
   
• Liquor tastings - We are considering allowing 104 tastings per liqour store per year instead of 50. I think this is a good idea and will keep our businesses competitive.
   
• South Chester at County Line turn lane - The council approved the use of eminent domain to complete a turn lane on Chester. The only property that would be affected is the Bank of the West. It is hopeful that an agreement can be worked out with Bank of the West to acquire the property with minimal impact to them. In the end, I think access to the bank may be improved if the traffic doesn't block their driveway after the turn lane is completed.
   
• Master Development Plan for Peakview Place - The council approved a plan that could result in Centennial's tallest building at 25 stories. It would be located just west of the Comfort Dental Amphitheater. The architecture and layout of the site is top notch and I can't wait to see it built.
   

On Monday, December 6th, the City Council finalized it's plans for redistricting. Each district underwent some minor changes in order to bring us in compliance with the City's charter. The discussions were lengthy and we talked a lot about how the redistricting process as specified in the charter. Some council members, including me, thought that the districts should be based on population, not just voters. However, I felt that the charter says voters, so that is what we have to live with. If we want to change the charter, that is a question for another day.

To view the new City Council Districts, click here!

Hosted by ArapaHOPE Community Team

When: Saturday, September 26, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Where: South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, 6840 S University Blvd, Centennial, Map

Most energy experts agree that the availability of economically recoverable fossil fuels is diminishing at an increasing rate.  For that reason, developing a strategy to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is crucial and requires involvement from all the stakeholders…Government, Business, and the Community.  By getting ahead of this issue, Colorado stands to gain hundreds of thousands of jobs in the renewable energy sector.  The purpose of this forum is to discuss practical solutions Coloradans can implement to meet these challenges and opportunities.

You are invited to join us to learn what needs to be done – as well as what you can do as citizens to promote renewable energy in your community.  Please note that space is limited and your RSVP is required to attend. You may RSVP here.  Cosponsored by the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, Arapahoe Community College and the City of Centennial.

• Nancy LaPlaca, Energy Consultant, Bardwell Consulting Ltd. www.BardwellConsulting.com, Brian Bartony, South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, www.BestChamber.com, and Todd Mata, ArapaHOPE Community Team, www.ArapaHOPE.org Introduction

• Steve Andrews, Association for the Study of Peak Oil (ASPO) Co-founder and Senior Analyst, www.ASPOUSA.org. Peak Oil 101: A Discussion of the Limitations on Fossil Fuels as a Result of Economic Feasibility and Geological Constraints
• Carol Tombari, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, www.NREL.gov,  author Power of the People: America’s New Electricity Choices, Director Texas Energy Office,  Colorado Power of Choice: Long-Term State Planning with Wind & Solar Energy

• Karen Hancock, Environmental Program Supervisor, City of Aurora, Government’s Role in Supporting Investment in Conservation and Renewable Energy

• Eriks Brolis, from Namaste Solar www.NamasteSolar.com, and Gary Held, from Vestas Wind Systems www.Vestas.com Colorado Businesses’ Role in Supporting Conservation and Investment in Renewable Energy
• Rebecca McClellan, Patrick Anderson, Larry Beer, Councilpersons for Centennial and Aurora Incorporating Future Energy Costs into Community Infrastructure Planning
• Ken Beitel, Renewable Energy Taskforce of the South Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce www.RETaskForce.biz, Vicki Befort, Arapahoe Community College Renewable Energy Technology Program Coordinator  Individuals' Role in Renewable Energy Investment: Financing the Clean Energy Revolution

• Barbara Farhar, Ph.D., adjunct faculty and research fellow, Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado, and senior policy analyst, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Ret. 2006), 2008 Winner of Apex Award for Publication Excellence, Individuals' Role in Conservation and Renewable Energy

Councilmember Rebecca McClellan and I are pleased to announce we have scheduled two District 3 meetings in the next few months. We are continuing to alternate locations between the eastern and western portions of the district to try and make them accessible to all. Here are the details for each meeting:

October 14th - 6:30pm to 8pm - Mineral Clubhouse, 8500 E Mineral Dr

December 3rd - 6:30pm to 8pm - Firestation 42, 7320 S Parker Rd

We hope to see you there!

(From the City of Centennial)

(Centennial, COLO) – The Centennial City Clerk’s Office today certified four candidates for Mayor vying to replace founding Mayor Randy Pye who is term limited. The Candidates include Todd Miller, Cathy Noon, Greg Schoenfeld and Michael Weber. Weber is using a three-day cure period to amend his initially insufficient petitions.

Seven Centennial residents are running for the District 1 City Council seat after Council Member Betty Ann Hamilton resigned her position 10 days ago. Those qualified to run for the two years remaining in the term are Peter Cooney, Gary Furnee, Michael Hall, Sonni Marbury, Vorry Moon, Ron Phelps and Sharon West. Rick Dindinger is running unopposed for his four year term in District 1.

Two candidates for District 2 include Council Member Sue Bosier and opponent Scott Watters.

District 3 Council Member Rebecca McClellan is being challenged by Cindy Combs.

Ron Weidmann, Council Member in District 4 is running unopposed.

A drawing for placement on the November 3 mail ballot will take place on Monday, August 31, 2009.

For more information on the 2009 Centennial Election, go to www.centennialcolorado.com

PDF Flyer with events and store listing:

http://www.shopsouthglenn.com/uploaded-files/27Jul09-SG-GO.pdf

From Alberta Development:

CENTENNIAL, CO. August, 25 2009 – On Friday, August 28th, The Streets at SouthGlenn, one of the country’s only large scale, mixed-use projects to open this year, will celebrate its grand opening festivities with the public.  This three day celebration marks the completion of a historic project and sets a new benchmark for collaborative re-development.  All weekend long, shoppers can experience “life on The Streets” exploring new retailers and restaurants while interacting with entertainers including stilt walkers, jugglers, human statues, face painters, balloon artists and musical acts.

“The Grand Opening of The Streets at SouthGlenn is monumental for not only the area but the shopping center industry.  In a time where shopping center openings are delayed indefinitely, we are extremely proud to bring The Streets at SouthGlenn to Centennial and south Denver,” said Don Provost, principal of Alberta Development Partners.  “Our vision has always been to bring urban character and charm to an area where people can gather for shopping, dining, entertainment and outdoor community events.  We are finally about to bring that vision to a reality.”

The Streets at SouthGlenn is a $310 million, 77 acre infill project where the developers razed the previous 1972 era Southglenn Mall to make way for the new mixed-use center.  Comprised of 1.2 million square feet of retail, 140,000 square feet of Silver LEED certified, Class A office space, and 202 luxury apartments, the project combines national retail shops, local boutiques, restaurants, a health club and entertainment options in a completely unique outdoor setting.  The Streets at SouthGlenn is also home to the Commons, a classic, urban park, with a grand European fountain, antique brick fireplace, 30 feet tall legacy trees, lush gardens and outdoor cafés.

The entire community is invited to celebrate a weekend full of activities starting Friday at 9:00 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony.  Shoppers can enjoy food and entertainment as they experience South Denver’s newest shopping destination.  The Streets at SouthGlenn is the newest project to come online from area developer, Alberta Development Partners, LLC.  Alberta Development Partners has deep Colorado roots with previous mall openings including Southlands and Cornerstar both in Aurora, CO.

The grand opening of the 1.5 million square foot shopping destination will include an 18,000 square foot Arapahoe Public Library, flagship Whole Foods, Grapes Wine and Liquor, Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Bar Louie, Mellow Mushroom, Chrysallis, Kismet, Color Me Mine, The Oven, Salon AKA, 720 Board Shop, Diego Zhang’s, Larry Johnson Gallery, Bouquets and many more.   Hollywood Theaters, a 14 screen with reserved seating theater, will open this fall along with more retailers and restaurants and 24 Hour Fitness, a 48,000 square foot Super Sport, will be debuting this winter.   The Portola at SouthGlenn, a 202 unit luxury rental community at the location, includes five elegant and contemporary floor plans ranging from 560 SF to 1834 SF.

Located at the crossroads of University Boulevard and Arapahoe Road, The Streets at SouthGlenn, 6851 S. Gaylord Street, is minutes away from C470 and I-25 and is the ideal location to live, work or play.

In addition to the ribbon cutting at 9:00 a.m. on Friday August 28th, festivities for The Streets at SouthGlenn will include in-store promotions, radio remotes, entertainment, giveaways and food for all shoppers, as well as a movie night.  On Saturday, August 29th the action continues at 10:00 a.m. and runs through 5:00 p.m. with entertainment and giveaways and a live concert in the park.  The grand opening celebration concludes on Sunday, August 30th from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. with more food, giveaways and entertainment for everyone!

For more information on The Streets at SouthGlenn and the grand opening festivities along with a complete listing of retailers and restaurants, visit www.shopsouthglenn.com or call 303-771-4004.