Email from Walnut Hills Civic Association Chairperson on the Costilla I-25 Underpass

From: Andrea Suhaka <standy@ecentral.com>

Date: Fri, Sep 25, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Subject: Email from Centennial on Costilla Underpass
To: Suhaka Andrea <standy@ecentral.com>

The City of Centennial has received a number of inquiries about a preliminary plan to add an underpass of I-25 at about Costilla Ave. to help relieve traffic on Arapahoe and I-25. The following explanation is offered to all who are interested as a factual representation of the history and the upcoming Environmental Assessment public process required for this project.

The concept of constructing a new grade separation (underpass) south of Arapahoe Road was proposed in a feasibility study led by Arapahoe County about two years ago – in partnership with the cities of Centennial, Greenwood Village, Foxfield, Aurora and the Colorado Dept. of Transportation (CDOT). The true focus of the feasibility study is to reduce the current congestion at the Arapahoe and Interstate 25 interchange. The study proposes diverting some of the traffic from Arapahoe Rd to the south, onto an extension of Costilla (on the east), and intersecting Yosemite St. at the curve just north of Alton Way. The study revealed that a significant number of vehicles would be able to avoid the delays now encountered on Arapahoe Rd. by using this new southern connector. A diversion of traffic is only one component to the ultimate goal of reducing the congestion at the interchange.

The next step in the federally-driven process will be to perform an Environmental Assessment (EA) following National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) requirements. This EA will not only look at the locally preferred options in more detail but also look at refinements or modifications to come up with a final approved alternative.

It is important to note that this public process has yet to begin and will take around 12 -18 months and will include numerous public meetings. In fact, at this point, we are in the process of finalizing the consultant scope of work for the EA. At the Sept. 14 City Council Meeting, Arapahoe County’s Transportation Division Manager Bryan Weimer will brief City Council on the intergovernmental agreement that is proposed to begin the EA Process. It is imperative that the City participate in this Environmental Assessment because it puts the City at the table so that we can voice our concerns during the process. The process will still go on without us if we chose not to participate.

After the EA is approved by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and CDOT, final design typically begins and right-of-way acquisition starts, assuming there is funding to do so. A funding plan is also part of the EA. All of these processes must be completed before construction could begin.

We want to assure you that we are in the early steps of the process with many more public meetings and input opportunities for residents, property owners, the traveling public, and regulatory agencies. Opportunities to comment will be numerous.

Should you wish to read more about the System Level Feasibility Study, you may go to: www.arapahoecorridor.com/index.html

To sign-up for the E-Mail Project List to receive updates and meeting announcements, send your e-mail address to the consultant responsible for the EA process LLangerman@deainc.com.

Note from Andrea: I will let you all know when the web site for the project is up. It is still too early for it now. The City has agreed to hosting several more meetings than the EA requires.

Andrea

--

Andrea Suhaka (303-770-0058)

Chair, Walnut Hills Civic Assoc.

www.walnuthillscolorado.org

Invitation from Mayor Pye to attend an open house - I-25/Arapahoe Rd. Interchange

Dear Citizens,

Please see the attached invitation from Mayor Pye to attend an open house this Tuesday evening, September 29th, at 7pm.

Regards,

Jenn Koscelnik

Executive Assistant to the Mayor & City Manager

(303) 754-3341

20090921 Centennial Neighbors Press Release.pdf

This is the press release that was read into the public record at the City of Centennial Council meeting on September 21, 2009. It can be found at: http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0mwl0LHg_LxN2RjOWJmMmItNDc3Ni00ZGM1LWI1NjEtMmUwODNiZDQ5YWZh&hl=en

3x5 Contact Card Handout - (MAP) Framed (Portrait Orientation).pdf

Use this document to VIEW 3 inch x 5 inch index cards that summarize the MAP our position and links. The document can be found at: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AUmwl0LHg_LxZGZqc2p2d2NfNGMycHc0OXY4&hl=en

3x5 Contact Card Handout - (TEXT) Framed (Portrait Orientation).pdf

Use this document to VIEW 3 inch x 5 inch index cards that summarize the TEXT our position and links. The document can be found at: http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0mwl0LHg_LxYzgyMjdhMDctMTlkYS00NjVmLTkxNzUtOGZiZTExN2Y5YzE2&hl=en

3x5 Contact Card Handout (TEXT+MAP) - Framed (Landscape Orientation)

Use this document to PRINT 3 inch x 5 inch index cards that summarize the TEXT our position and links. Print the TEXT on one side of the index card, turn over and feed it thru the printer a send time with the second page printing MAP on the reverse side of the index card. The document can be found at: http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0mwl0LHg_LxNjNjMjA3NzktZTBiNi00ZjkwLWE5N2MtZTg5ZGNkYmFkNWY0&hl=en

Centennial Neighbors Sign-up and Contact Information Form (Paper)

Use this paper verision of the online form to give to your residents and friends who do not have Internet access. This document can be found at: http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0mwl0LHg_LxZGIyNGVhNTQtOWE2YS00NDNlLWFlOTYtOWRjNmJjMDNkM2Ey&hl=en

Centennial Neighbors I-25 Underpass Opposition Sign-up Form Released

Use this form to sign-up to our cause and add your contact information to our roster. The form can be found at: https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGlFdG4zLXNZbGFFMmlvR3pZajBZMlE6MA

City of Centennial - Arapahoe Road & I-25 Interchange Construction to Begin September 28, 2009

Hi Everyone:

Note, this construction project is TOTALLY separate from the I-25 East Costilla Avenue Underpass construction option, and may perhaps decrease the amount of traffic on South Yosemite Street and will most likely decrease the traffic congestion on Arapahoe Road and on the I-25 North and South off-ramps.

Information on this project is only being posted so to keep the residents better informed about the many different construction projects happening on Arapahoe Road.

This construction project is using left-over TREX funds, will start September 28, 2009, and will probably be completed in early Spring 2010. A public meeting outlining the project was held on September 16, 2009 at the Castlewood Library.

The following press release was just issued by the City of Centennial: http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0mwl0LHg_LxODQ3OTY4YmQtYTc3Ny00ZGEzLTgwMzUtZTE2ZGVkY2I5MTk1&hl=en

CentennialNeighbors.org - 20090912 Email

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

CentennialNeighbors.org - 20090915 Email

From: Centennial Neighbors <info@centennialneighbors.org>
Date: Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Subject: Centennial City Council Meeting
To: info@centennialneighbors.org


Greetings!

I wanted to thank everyone who attended the Centennial City Council meeting last night, especially those of you who braved the microphone to speak to them about the proposed underpass. Although I couldn't get an exact count, my best estimate put the number of citizens there at somewhere around 120. I think it's safe to say that they are now clearly aware how the residents of Walnut Hills feel about this portion of the I-25 & Arapahoe Rd. interchange project.

But we must remember that we're not done yet. In order to affect the outcome we have to continue to engage the City of Centennial and Arapahoe County and remain informed and involved as the Environmental Assessment process unfolds. To that end, we've obtained the internet domain of centennialneighbors.org and will work to establish a web presence there so that we have a central point of communication and dissemination of information. We'll have links to as much documentation and information as we can gather and pass along information as it becomes available to us. Many of you have been researching this issue on Centennial's and Arapahoe County's web sites and may have found something that we're not aware of, so please forward anything you may find of interest and we'll include it on the site. In keeping with that web presence, please direct all email to info@centennialneighbors.org and we will respond as appropriate.

And by all means, please continue to talk about this with your neighbors and encourage those who are as yet unaware of this issue to join our email list.

Thanks,
Joe Ferrarello
Centennial Neighbors

Regarding the Environmental Assessment for I-25/Arapahoe Alternative

From: Wittern, Allison <awittern@centennialcolorado.com>

Subject: Regarding the Environmental Assessment for I-25/Arapahoe Alternative

Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009, 8:55 AM

The City of Centennial has received a number of inquiries about a preliminary plan to add an underpass of I-25 at about Costilla Avenue to help relieve traffic on Arapahoe and I-25. The following explanation is offered to all who are interested as a factual representation of the history and the upcoming Environmental Assessment public process required for this project.

The concept of constructing a new grade separation (underpass) south of Arapahoe Road was proposed in a feasibility study led by Arapahoe County about two years ago – in partnership with the cities of Centennial, Greenwood Village, Foxfield, Aurora and the Colorado Department of Transportation. The true focus of the feasibility study is to reduce the current congestion at the Arapahoe and Interstate 25 interchange.

The study proposes diverting some of the traffic from Arapahoe Road to the south, onto an extension of Costilla (on the east), and intersecting Yosemite Street at the curve just north of Alton Way. The study revealed that a significant number of vehicles would be able to avoid the delays now encountered on Arapahoe Road by using this new southern connector. A diversion of traffic is only one component to the ultimate goal of reducing the congestion at the interchange.

The next step in the federally-driven process will be to perform an Environmental Assessment (EA) following National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) requirements. This EA will not only look at the locally preferred options in more detail but also look at refinements or modifications to come up with a final approved alternative.

It is important to note that this public process has yet to begin and will take around 12 -18 months and will include numerous public meetings. In fact, at this point, we are in the process of finalizing the consultant scope of work for the EA. At the September 14 City Council Meeting, Arapahoe County’s Capital Improvement Project Manager Bryan Weimer will brief City Council on the intergovernmental agreement that is proposed to begin the EA Process. It is imperative that the City participate in this Environmental Assessment because it puts the City at the table so that we can voice our concerns during the process. The process will still go on without us if we chose not to participate.

After the EA is approved by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), final design typically begins and right-of-way acquisition starts, assuming there is funding to do so. A funding plan is also part of the EA. All of these processes must be completed before construction could begin.
We want to assure you that we are in the early steps of the process with many more public meetings and input opportunities for residents, property owners, the traveling public, and regulatory agencies. Opportunities to comment will be numerous.

Should you wish to read more about the System Level Feasibility Study, you may go to: http://www.arapahoecorridor.com/index.html

To sign-up for the E-Mail Project List to receive updates and meeting announcements, send your e-mail address to the consultant responsible for the EA process http://us.mc521.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=LLangerman@deainc.com
.

Sherry Patten
Communications Director
City of Centennial
303-754-3454
http://us.mc521.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=spatten@centennialcolorado.com
http://www.centennialcolorado.com/

WHCA Newsletter Posting Request

From: Frank Hasket
To: walnuthillsnews

Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 6:41 PM

Subject: LAWYER NEEDED TO HELP WALNUT HILLS


If you are a lawyer, and you live in Walnut Hills, your neighbors need your help. Various entities including Greenwood Village are trying to relieve traffic between the east and west sides of the interstate by way of a tunnel under I-25 onto Yosemite just north of Alton Way, avoiding the underpass on Arapahoe and putting more cars on Yosemite.

The board of directors of the civic association is aware of this and hopefully will take a position on it at the next meeting, October 8th. But with the firepower of C-DOT, DOT, Arapahoe County, Greenwood Village, RTD and various business owners, we are going to need all of the help we can get. We already have a lot of cut-through traffic on Davies Ave. and Briarwood Blvd, which travels up Uinta and Spruce streets to avoid the bottleneck at Arapahoe and Yosemite. This will make it worse. If you can recall the cut through traffic from Quebec a few years ago this will be more of the same, lots more.

If you can help Walnut Hills contact us at sites.google.com/site/walnuthillscn/


This is the copy I would like for you to run.

Thanks

Frank

CentennialNeighbors.org - 20090913 Email

From: Centennial Neighbors <centennial.neighbors@gmail.com>
Date: Sep 13, 2009 5:17 PM
Subject: Contact information for Centennial Neighbors organization

To: info@centennialneighbors.org

Hello,

We have created a new email address that will used in the future to share information about the Arapahoe Corridor improvements and specifically about the proposed underpass under I-25 that could affect the Walnut Hills and Hunter's Hill neighborhoods. This address will be used for all incoming and outgoing communication from the Centennial Neighbors citizen's group. Starting immediately, direct all communication to:

info@centennialneighbors.org

The gmail account you're receiving this email from will cease to exist shortly. Additionally, a new website at http://centennialneighbors.org will be available soon. Please refer to the website frequently to stay informed and reduce the necessity for numerous emails.

Attached is the recent email and flyer you might forward on to your neighbors via email, walking a copy over to neighbors, or canvassing an entire section or more of the neighborhood (refer to the attached map).

Upcoming Meetings:

• Monday, September 14th at 6pm (discussion meeting) & 7pm (regular meeting and public comment) - City of Centennial, City Council Chambers, 13133 E. Arapahoe Road
• Wednesday, September 16th between 4:30pm and 6:30pm - Castlewood Library, 6739 S. Uinta St. - CDOT I-25 & Arapahoe Road Project Meeting
• Monday, September 21st at 6pm (discussion meeting) & 7pm (regular meeting and public comment) - City of Centennial, City Council Chambers, 13133 E. Arapahoe Road - City Council Meeting

Thank you,
Your Centennial Neighbors

CentennialNeigbors.org - 20090912 Email

From: Centennial Neighbors <info@centennialneighbors.org>Date: Sep 12, 2009 2:53 PMSubject: Flyer for distributionTo: info@centennialneighbors.org
Everyone,

My apologies for the time it's taken to get this out, but it was a bit more of an undertaking than I anticipated.

Attached is the flyer that we've created for those of you who wanted to distribute it amongst the rest of the Walnut Hills neighborhood. In order to coordinate who covers what area, attached is the neighborhood map that the Walnut Hills Civic Assoc. uses to designate neighborhoods.

If you are volunteering to distribute the flyer, please send an email to centennial.neighbors@gmail.com indicating your willingness to help- and you'll receive a reply indicating which area of Walnut Hills to canvas. I wish there were a better way to coordinate, but this is the best we can do on such short notice.

We have a working email address that we are going to use for all incoming and outgoing information which is included on the flyer. You are welcome to direct anyone you speak to who would like to become involved to: info@centennialneighbors.org.

To those who would like to speak at the council meeting on Monday, I want to clarify something based upon feedback I've received from some of you. While our council members have been gracious in answering our questions and providing us with public information, please understand that this is a neighbor-to-neighbor effort and is driven by our common goal of preserving our quality of life and our property values.

Thank you all for being good neighbors!

Joe

CentennialNeighbors.org - Flyer # 2 - To Our Walnut Hills Neighbors

Centennial Neighbors emailed this flyer to the community on September 12, 2009 to residents in the neighborhoods surrounding Walnut Hills, Centennial, CO. A copy of it can be found at: http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0mwl0LHg_LxZmE4ZjJmNGEtOGI2Ni00MjQ4LTlkM2EtMWZjNTQ3YWEyMTUy&hl=en

Centennial Neighbors Flyer # 1 - Protect Walnut Hills Home Values

This was the first flyer that Centennial Neighbors handed out to residents in Walnut Hills. A scanned copy can be found at http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0mwl0LHg_LxOWM3YmRjMTktNjgwYS00YWQ4LWEzY2YtNzk5NDhhNTA4NTM3&hl=en

Traffic Forecast Request for DRCOG GEOID TBINEW01189

A request was made to the DRCOG for the forecasted traffic counts on Arapahoe Road and South Yosemite Street. Since the East Costilla Avenue Underpass is in proposal stage, these forecasts do not include any traffic that may be diverted into South Yosemite Street, which Brian Weimer estimates to be about 18,000.

Email: Traffic Forecast Request for DRCOG GEOID TBINEW01189 (http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0mwl0LHg_LxZWY3YTA2NzYtZTdhZi00YmYzLThiMDgtZDFlZDI4ZjFiYTU1&hl=en))

Centennial I-25 interchange meeting draws packed crowd

Fox News also attend the City of Centennial Council meeting of September 14, 2009. They shot video which was shown on Fox News channel 31 late on the night of September 14, 2009. Fox News also published a news story on the meeting. Their article can be found at: http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-arapahoeinterchange-091409,0,6869829.story

Centennial residents pack council over interchange

The Denver Post Yourhub.com ran an article on the attendance by local city residents at the City of Centennial council meeting of September 14, 2009. The article can be found at: http://denver.yourhub.com/Centennial/Stories/News/Government/Story~656406.aspx

City of Centennial Council Study Meeting - September 14, 2009

IGA for Arapahoe I-25 EA Proposal Presented to City Council

Bryan Weimer, Arapahoe County Project Manager, (720-874-6521, bweimer@co.arapahoe.co.us) presented on September 14, 2009 an overview of the IGA (Inter Governmental Agreement) Arapahoe Road Corridor Environmental Assessment (EA) proposal I-25 Underpass Project to the City of Centennial Council.

The proposal requests the participation and funding ($116,000) by the City in joint participation with Greenwood Village, Arapahoe County, and other governmental agencies to perform an environmental Assessment of proposed alternatives to alleviate traffic congestion in the Arapahoe Road / I-25 interchange.


E. Costilla Ave I-25 Underpass to S. Yosemite St. Proposed

Recall that this study involves the rework of Arapahoe Road and the it's associated I-25 interchange in order to relive traffic congestion, and (most importantly for the surrounding neighborhoods) advocates the construction of an underpass under I-25 south of Arapahoe Road which would extend East Costilla Ave from East of I-25 to South Yosemite St West of I-25.

In addition to expanding the number of traffic lanes at the Arapahoe Road I-25 interchange from four (4) to six (6), Mr. Weimer's presentation also advocated the extension of East Costilla Avenue (East of I-25) to South Yosemite Street (West of I-25), which would involve the construction of an underpass tunnel under South I-25 Highway in which would traffic would exit somewhere on South Yosemite Street.

The final location of where the East Costilla Ave would intersect South Yosemite Street has yet to be finalized, Mr Weimer's proposal depicted the entrance location to be just North of the Safeway building.

Other locations for the entrance have been describe in flyers distributed by Centennial Neighbors (info@centennialneighbors.org) on September 5, 2009 which depict East Costilla Avenue connecting instead to South Alton Way. South Alton Way is a North-South crescent-shaped road that is East of South Yosemite Street and connects to South Yosemite Street in two locations: North and inline with East Briarwood Blvd, and South and inline with South Xanthia Street.

It is unknown if the South Alton Way alternative is being seriously considered, but Mr. Weimer did note in his presentation that the Environmental Assessment study is required by law to evaluate any alternatives presented by any party.

It is noted that since the proposed entrance location (North of the Safeway building) would require de-construction of the Southeast corner of the building that is North of the Safeway building, and since that building's owner has already retained legal representation (who also spoke to the City Council), it is expected that many business interests will plead their cases to the City Council. There are similar concerns within the business community about the possible demolition of hotels which might be in the way of the extension of East Costilla Avenue on the East side of I-25.

Walnut Hills residents living on East Briarwood Blvd and East Davies Ave. expressed their concern to City Council members that the construction and orientation of such an underpass would result in increased cut-thru traffic on these two East-West streets.

Local Residents Expressed Their Non-Support for I-25 Underpass

An overflow crowd of local residents (estimate at 75-100 people) attended Mr. Wwimer's presentation and voiced their concern about the likely increase in traffic, noise, and pollution on South Yosemite Street, as well as the increased cut-thru traffic within the neighborhood.

The majority of residents speaking to the City of Centennial Council voiced their support for the City's participation in the Environmental Assessment (EA), but presented strong opinions against any proposed road and underpass configurations that would increase traffic on South Yosemite Street or within the Walnut Hills / Hunter Hills neighborhood.

Email: WalnutHills.CommunityNeighbors@gmail.com

Links

• Proposal for New Grade Seperation Underpass - News Release (http://www.centennialcolorado.com/Archive.aspx?ADID=1641)

• Monday September 14, 2009 Study Session Agenda (http://sire.centennialcolorado.com/sirepub/pubmtgframe.aspx?meetid=187&doctype=AGENDA)

• Monday September 14, 2009 Study Session Staff Report (http://sire.centennialcolorado.com/sirepub/cache/2/kjjuuf55fjh4ia55a1tjcm45/1191109152009081434150.PDF)
  

• Monday September 14, 2009 EA Scope of Work (http://sire.centennialcolorado.com/sirepub/cache/2/kjjuuf55fjh4ia55a1tjcm45/1191209152009081529463.PDF)

Web Article on City of Centennial Council IGA Study Published & Websites Established

Summary of Study Presentation to City of Centennial Council

This web article describes a quick write up summary of what happened in at last night's (September 14, 2009) City of Centennial's City Council meeting where Bryan Weimer presented to the City Council the IGA for Arapahoe I-25 Environmental Assessment Study. It was an overflow crowd estimated at about 75-100 people, and many residents spoke to the City Council about their concern on this proposed construction.

Recall that this study involves the rework of Arapahoe Road and the it's associated I-25 interchange in order to relive traffic congestion, and (most importantly for the surrounding neighborhoods) advocates the construction of an underpass under I-25 south of Arapahoe Road which would extend East Costilla Ave from East of I-25 to South Yosemite St West of I-25.

The final location of where the East Costilla Ave would intersect South Yosemite Street has yet to be finalized, Mr Weimer proposal depicted the entrance location to be just North of the Safeway building.

Other locations for the entrance have been describe in flyers distributed by Centennial Neighbors (info@centennialneighbors.org) on September 5, 2009 which depict East Costilla Avenue connecting instead to South Alton Way. South Alton Way is a North-South crescent-shaped road that is East of South Yosemite Street and connects to South Yosemite Street in two locations: North and inline with East Briarwood Blvd, and South and inline with South Xanthia Street.

It is unknown if the South Alton Way alternative is being seriously considered, but Mr. Weimer did note in his presentation that the Environmental Assessment study is required by law to evaluate any alternatives presented by any party.

It is noted that since the proposed entrance location (North of the Safeway building) would require de-construction of the Southeast corner of the building that is North of the Safeway building, and since that building's owner has already retained legal representation (who also spoke to the City Council), it is expected that many business interests will plead their cases to the City Council.

The content of this article is also replicated in a post to this blog. The link the the NeighborhoodLink webpage is: Arapahoe Road Corridor / I-25 Underpass Project (http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/Walnut_Hills/pages/45305), I have also posted this link on Twitter, (follow WalnutHillsCN) and I have established a Facebook page (search for: "WalnutHills CentennialNeighbors") for this effort as well.


Websites Established

Note that although the Walnut Hills Civic Association does have an excellent website, and although I am a board member and neighborhood 3 representative, I am not using the Association's website to disseminate this information, for I am not the webmaster of that website and so do not have posting privileges, and -- in any case -- the Civic Association would most likely desire stronger group control and consensus on the information that might be published than could effectively be granted.

More importantly, the (Neighborhood Link (http://www.neighborhoodlink.com) website supports robust interactive community participation by community members and neighborhood residents by design, and has always been used as a secondary communication resource and communication path the the residents in Walnut Hills and Hunters Hill. Anyone in the community can create an account and add a webpage or link, ant the site offers a discussion area where residents can voice their opinions and concerns as well as event calendars to track and publish upcoming events and meetings.

Also, in the process of creating this blog and its association Gmail account, I have created a secondary website as well (http://sites.google.com/site/walnuthillscn/home).

Although Bob Ragnow (info@centennialneighbors.org) is in the process of developing a centralized website for this community effort, it is not yet active. Until Bob's website becomes active, or prehaps in addition too that main website, this website Walnut Hills Centennial Neighbor (http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/Walnut_Hills/home) might work as a substitute and as a good secondary communication path for our organizing efforts against this proposed I-25 Underpass .

Also, in the process of creating this blog and its association Gmail account, I have created a secondary website as well (http://sites.google.com/site/walnuthillscn/home).

Perhaps unfortunately, we are now living in a time where there is an abundance of methods and services to communicate ones opinions. However, I am sure that we will be able to leverage the many social electronic media that is now freely available (Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Google Blogs/Websites/Email, and NeighborhoodLink, and let's not forget the old standby, the telephone and just talking to your neighbor!) in our efforts to build a strong and active grassroots opposition to this construction proposal. We'll see which medium works best in getting the word out.

Thanks, I can be reached at: WalnutHills.CentennialNeighbors@gmail.com