Mayor Bach News

Recently, Mayor Steve Bach and his wife Suzi, along with Colorado Springs Together Director Bob Cutter and Comcast Regional VP Rich Jennings, visited eleven families returning to rebuilt homes in Mountain Shadows. They presented a Welcome Home basket consisting of the famous saying from It’s A Wonderful Life: “Bread, that the house never knows hunger. Salt, that life always has flavor. Wine, that joy and prosperity reign forever.” Thanks to Colorado Springs Together, Cheers Liquor Mart, and Panera Bread for their kind donations to make the baskets possible!

The Mayor sat down with FOX 21′s John Martin and covered various topics including: Senate Bill 13-025, the City Fleet Division, retail marijuana, Downtown Revitalization, and more. Please click on the following link to see the entire interview: http://www.fox21news.com/news/story.aspx?id=906762#.UbELBNKceIc

On June 5th, Mayor Steve Bach kicked off his Wednesday Night Art program with a visit to Kirkpatrick Bank in Downtown Colorado Springs. This night of distinguished art and great conversation was made possible via partnerships with the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region (COPPeR) and the Cottonwood Center for the Arts, who had three local artists showcase their work and speak during the event.

Kirkpatrick Bank is a hidden gem in the art community. Bank Chairman Christian Keesee is a noted supporter of the arts who has been recognized by COPPeR with a Business Leader in the Arts Award. The collection at Kirkpatrick includes works by Andy Warhol and Ramon Serrano.

During his remarks, Cottonwood Center Director John Khoury, a recent New York City transplant, stated that the art and artists in Colorado Springs are, “just as good as in New York City.” With that in mind, there is no reason to miss out on the great local arts scene in Colorado Springs!

Thanks to COPPeR Executive Director Christina McGrath, Kirkpatrick Bank Market President Trent Stafford, and local Cottonwood artists Karen Khoury, Patience Heyl, and Tish Lacy for their partnership and support of this wonderful event!

At Acacia Park on Wednesday, June 5th, Mayor Steve Bach helped unveil a list of new Downtown Revitalization Projects. During the event, the Mayor was joined by Chief of Staff Laura Neumann, Colorado Springs Utilities CEO Jerry Forte, Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Doug Price, Downtown Partnership Executive Director Susan Edmondson, and Colorado Springs Urban Intervention Chairman John Olson.

Tejon Street LED lighting:

Streetlights along Tejon Street between Colorado Avenue and Boulder Street and in Acacia Park have been upgraded with new energy efficient LED fixtures. The new brighter and whiter LEDs will save the City in electricity and maintenance costs, as well as enhance the capabilities of the downtown security cameras and increase park safety.  By early this fall, LEDs will be installed to both sides of Tejon Street from Boulder Street to Cache la Poudre, enhancing pedestrian safety for those traveling to and from Colorado College and the core downtown.  The project is funded by the Federal Energy Savings Grant and the City of Colorado Springs Parking Enterprise.

Downtown Visitors Hub
The Acacia Park Visitor Hub is a new endeavor to provide pedestrian access to visitors and residents. The Visitors Hub is a pilot program for this summer put on by the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department, Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau and Downtown Partnership. Open daily 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Hub is staffed with seasonal employees and volunteers who are knowledgeable about area attractions, local venues, restaurants, and more.

Curbside Cuisine

Curbside Cuisine is a result of a partnership toward improving the urban environment between the YMCA and Colorado Springs Urban Intervention. With the assistance of the City and several enthusiastic entrepreneurial chefs and small business owners, Curbside Cuisine offers a unique experience with multiple food options in Downtown Colorado Springs. CSUI, a fund through the Pikes Peak Community Foundation, seeks to improve Colorado Springs through innovation and low cost improvements such as taking a dilapidated and abandoned gas station and making it a vibrant place that activates the Acacia Park area. The experience has been a great testament how the City of Colorado Springs can foster small business start-ups, while providing a unique place that attracts Young Professionals.

Acacia Park Parking Meter Fundraiser

The Parking Enterprise has teamed up with the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to raise funds to benefit Acacia Park.  The Parking Enterprise will donate a portion of the revenues generated at the parking meters immediately surrounding the park to the DDA.  All revenue above the average revenue generated during the previous two years will be donated to the DDA.  The funding will be used to benefit Acacia Park events and park improvements.

All of the meters around Acacia Park have been outfitted with a brightly colored pole sleeve.  Visitors to downtown are encouraged to park at one of these meters to help support Acacia Park.

Nevada Avenue Medians

The medians in Nevada Avenue from Cucharras Street to Bijou Street are nearing completion.  These medians, which are part of the Downtown Streetscape Project, were constructed to improve traffic flow, provide a safer crossing for pedestrians and make downtown a more attractive and vibrant place for visitors and businesses. The Downtown Streetscape project is funded by the Parking Enterprise funds.  No tax payer dollars were used.

On Tuesday, June 4th, Mayor Steve Bach visited the Colorado Springs Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to present Chuck Bowles with a Spirit of the Springs Award for being named the Colorado SBDC Volunteer of the Year.

Mr. Bowles founded the Bowles Investment Group and is a member of the Better Business Bureau Board of Directors.  He is dedicated to helping small businesses succeed, particularly in the international arena. To help achieve this goal, he works with the International Business Education Program at Pikes Peak Community College, where he currently serves as the Faculty Chair of the Business and Real Estate Department.

Please join the Mayor in congratulating Chuck Bowles!