News-Press DCCR 11-28-2013
Castle Rock
Douglas County, Colorado • Volume 11, Issue 36
November 28, 2013
Free
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourcastlerocknews.com
Residents will still hear that train coming Town defers funding to mitigate horn noise By Virginia Grantier
vgrantier@ourcoloradonews.com Outside conversations are forced to stop because of train horns in Castle Rock’s historic downtown neighborhood, and sleep is interrupted, some residents told the town council Nov. 19 — but for now, things will remain the same. Castle Rock Town Council voted 6-1 to
defer spending money for a quieter automated horn system or for gates so secure that the trains could go through town without any horn being sounded. “I think it would be a good thing to have at some point … no train noise. The Donahue question is the time now — and at that price,” said Castle Rock Mayor Paul Donahue about the $800,000 price tag for the improvements. Councilmember Chip Wilson was the
lone vote wanting the changes, saying this was one of the reasons he ran for council and he doesn’t think the project will be less expensive in the future. About 14 trains go through Castle Rock’s historic residential district daily — and their horns make noise at levels that are “less than a rock concert, more than a chain saw,” in the 90- to 110-decibel range, said Bob Watts, Castle Rock’s transportation planning manager, at the meeting. Watts said the town’s Public Works Commission didn’t think the train horn issue was a priority at this time and that “town funds
should be spend in other places.” And he said the town’s Downtown Development Authority saw the advantages to silencing the horns, “but didn’t think it was a priority at this time.” The secure-gate system would have cost $752,565 to put in place, plus an annual maintenance cost of $10,200. The automated horn system, a quieter horn installed at the crossings, would have cost $293,000 to construct; $4,800 annually to maintain; and $5,100 annually for a required insurance policy. Noise continues on Page 7
New outlet mall nears approval Castle Rock gives preliminary OK to financing agreement By Virginia Grantier
vgrantier@ourcoloradonews.com
Fireworks light up Castle Rock during the annual Starlighting event Nov. 23. Photo by Timothy Tonge/Castle Rock Fire Department
SPIRIT
Local musicians, who called their band Castle Rock Ad Hoc, perform during the Starlighting event on Dec. 23. Photo by Virginia Grantier
Downtown Castle Rock was the place to be Nov. 23 for those who wanted the company of several thousand people and a chance to catch some holiday spirit. At the 78th annual Starlighting event, which culminated with the illumination of the 40-foot-tall star on top of Castle Rock and fireworks, it was an afternoon and evening of community effort — firefighters spending hours making 110 gallons of chili; volunteers serving as waiters; a group of mainly gray-haired bakers providing homemade, mainly, pies. Churches provided carolers; there were hot drinks and fire pits and marshmallows to roast; free dance and band performances by local talent; and much more.
A proposed 900,000-square-foot, 200-acre outlet mall called Promenade at Castle Rock — which would be adjacent to and potentially twice as big as the existing Outlets at Castle Rock — got a step closer to reality on Nov. 19 when town council gave its preliminary OK to an agreement with the developer and a proposed metropolitan district that addresses sales-tax sharing and other issues. Promenade would occupy land on the south, west and north sides of the Outlets, and would stretch north nearly to the Castle Pines Village boundary. The developer’s plans also call for 350 multi-family residential units. Before the council’s 7-0 vote, Steve Craig, the managing partner of the Outlets at Castle Rock, expressed concerns — as did Promenade’s developer, Don Provost, founder of Greenwood Village-based Alberta Development Partners LLC. Craig told the council that he only became aware of the project in May at the International Council of Shopping Centers Convention in Las Vegas, when one of his tenants asked him if he knew about it. “I looked a little stupid for not knowing …” He said he went to Provost’s booth in the convention hall and Provost told him he was proposing to build a “premium outlet” mall with high-fashion tenants. “We have someone that is really coming in as a direct competitor,” Craig told the council. “As much as they’re talking about lavender plants and bushes and trees and bricks and fireplaces, the reality is this deal is about money, it’s not about plants, not about pretty places. “It’s a way for his company to make money — and we think to a large degree at our expense,” Craig said. Craig asked council to send the proposed project back to staff so all his issues could be addressed. Provost gave his reaction later, telling the council: “Just as a general matter, I was raised by Mall continues on Page 11