Woodmen and Academy Construction Update: week of October 26

October 27, 2009 By

Academy and Woodmen intersection - sign advertising construction updates at www.woodmenroad.com

Here’s the major events that will be taking place in the Woodmen and Academy interchange construction project this week, via WoodmenRoad.com:

Preparatory work for the opening of Prince Drive at Woodmen Road

  • York Road closed at Earl Drive when Prince Drive opens
  • Prince Drive opening scheduled for November 2, 2009
  • NO ACCESS to ACADEMY BLVD. from Prince Drive

Traffic Changes

  • Traffic alignment changes on northbound and southbound Academy Blvd. from Shrider Road to York Road.  Temporary alignments will maintain three through lanes and two left turn lanes to Woodmen Road

The project is scheduled to be completed in two years.

Academy and Woodmen Interchange Update: construction schedule through 10/24

October 20, 2009 By

Academy and Woodmen intersection - looking northwest from the east side of the intersection
The Academy and Woodmen interchange construction project continues. Here’s the major points of the 7-day outlook for this week (through October 24th):

  • Removal of Einstein Bagels and Albertacos Building
  • Removal of medians along Academy
  • Alignment changes:
    • Continued temporary alignment changes for east bound and westbound Woodmen between Academy and the eastern Sam’s Club entrance.  Entrances to Woodmen Commons Shopping Center remain open and there will continue to be two lanes on both eastbound and westbound Woodmen Road.
    • Temporary alignment change from Shrider Road to Woodmen on Academy Blvd.  Three travel lanes on Northbound and Southbound Academy will be maintained
    • Temporary alignment change from Woodmen Road to York Road on Academy Blvd.  Three travel lanes on Northbound and Southbound Academy will be maintained.

You can view the complete schedule at WoodmenRoad.com.

Information on the Colorado Springs city budget

October 12, 2009 By

The city council revealed a proposed 2010 budget last week.  The city is facing a shortfall of $28.9 million, and in just a few days registered voters will be receiving ballots to vote (among other things) if the property tax rate should be increased to cover the shortfall.  For more information on 2C, you can read an explanation of how the property tax increase will work and Jeremy’s view on Issue 2C.

I like what the Gazette said about examining budget data today: “If the subject of city finances turns your crank, you’re in for a treat. If not, just remember this stuff affects you and your wallet.”

There are pages upon pages of data regarding the Colorado Springs city budget, revenue, and expenditures.  You’ll find it all on the city website, for your data-crunching enjoyment.  For a brief look at where your money goes, I put these charts together.  You can click on the image to enlarge:

Proposed 2010 Budget Colorado Springs

2009 Colorado Springs City Budget

2008 Colorado Springs city budgetAnd here’s the dollar amounts:

2010 Proposed Colorado Springs City Budget
General Fund CIP $13,233,706 6.30%
Council Appointees $10,220,918 4.90%
Community Infrastructure and Development $19,418,834 9.20%
Transportation and Parks $8,150,149 3.90%
Public Safety $114,633,175 54.60%
Internal Services Charges $12,037,019 5.70%
Financial and Administrative Services $12,182,255 5.80%
General Costs $20,057,588 9.60%
Total: $209,933,644

2009 Colorado Springs City Budget
General Fund CIP $9,380,446 3.90%
Public Safety $116,139,147 48.70%
Debt Service $3,023,050 1.30%
Council Appointees $10,640,260 4.50%
Community Infrastructure and Development $25,636,139 10.70%
Transportation and Parks $27,917,697 11.70%
Internal Services Charges $12,619,246 5.30%
Financial and Administrative Services $12,867,568 5.40%
General Costs $20,258,085 8.50%
Total: $238,481,638

2008 Colorado Springs City Budget
General Fund CIP $11,259,109 4.75%
Public Safety $113,232,452 47.73%
Debt Service $3,023,550 1.27%
City Planning and Community Development $3,825,522 1.61%
Council Appointees $10,801,541 4.55%
City Management $7,993,754 3.37%
Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services $19,909,348 8.39%
Internal Service Charges $19,446,903 8.20%
Public Works $33,127,389 13.96%
General Costs $14,635,520 6.17%
Total: $237,255,088

signature-carrie

Two years to fewer headaches at Academy and Woodmen

October 3, 2009 By


View Woodmen Corridor Improvement Project in a larger map

The big Woodmen Road Corridor Improvement construction project has started to ramp up.  The project will widen Woodmen Road to six lanes from Interstate 25 to Stinson (see map above). The project is optimistically scheduled to be finished in September 2011 – originally it had been estimated to take about 2 years and 9 months, but the city and contractor are now promising it will be completed in just two years.

Academy and Woodmen intersection - looking southwest from the east side of the intersection

The first part of Phase One started September 30th and is expected to be completed by April 2010.  It includes the following projects:

  • Realign 30-inch sanitary sewer at Cottonwood Creek.
  • Install 66-inch storm drain pipe and construct outfall structure beginning at Cottonwood Creek.
  • Relocate existing utilities (throughout project area)
  • Excavate and move material from north side to south side of Woodmen between Campus Drive to Current access entrance. Remove median concrete.
  • Grade and pave the anticipated temporary alignment through former Shell station area
  • Install portion of 42-inch water line under anticipated Woodmen Road detour
  • Construct retaining wall at Wag ’n Wash/Home Depot entrance
  • Construct concrete fence at Bell Drive
  • Construct retaining wall on Woodmen Road east of Academy Boulevard
  • Install storm drain on Prince Drive
  • Reconstruct detention pond on Current property

Academy and Woodmen intersection - sign advertising construction updates at www.woodmenroad.com
There are construction updates, a 7-day outlook, maps of the planned phases, progress photos, and more at WoodmenRoad.com
signature-carrie

A colorful Labor Day weekend

September 8, 2009 By

Hot air balloons on the launch field at the Colorado Balloon Classic
Well, after a cancelled Saturday morning launch and a delayed Sunday morning launch, near 100 hot air balloons lifted off into the beautiful Colorado sky on Monday morning! It was really spectacular – the weather was great; you really didn’t even need a jacket.

is there really a remax hot air balloon

In case you thought it was just a marketing gimmick, yes, there really is a RE/MAX hot air balloon!  It was really fun to be on the field watching the balloon teams unwrap, spread out, inflate, and close up the balloons.  Just take one peek inside a balloon while it’s still being aired up to get a sense of just how big they are.

hot air balloon festival colorado springs

If you haven’t ever been to the hot air balloon festival, mark your calendars for Labor Day 2010!  We are not normally early risers, but it was worth getting up at 6 AM on a holiday to go see the balloon launch.

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