Littleton 8-15-2013
August 15, 2013
Arapahoe County, Colorado • Volume 125, Issue 4
75 cents
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourlittletonnews.com
Marathon proposal moving forward
ROAD WARRIORS
City council OKs mixed-use Littleton Village project By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com
Cyclists pedal their way to the finish line during Littleton’s Western Welcome Week Criterium Bicycle Race. The race proved to be just as exciting for the spectators as it was for racers.
Professional cyclists from across the state gathered in downtown Littleton Aug. 11 for the city’s first ever Criterium Bicycle Race. The closed-course road challenge offered several races throughout the day to accommodate a variety of age groups and skill sets. The afternoon men’s and women’s race packed the streets with spectators who found the event almost as exciting as the racers. The Criterium was an exciting new addition to the city’s annual Western Welcome Week activities, celebrating the community’s deep-rooted western heritage.
PHOTOS BY DEBORAH GRIGSBY Zack Allison, of Fort Collins, sports a salute as he crosses the finish line at the Littleton Criterium in downtown Littleton. Allison took top honors in the professional men’s category, completing the 100-mile ride in 1:08:52.
While history has shown that one should never presume any plan is a done deal, the mixed-use Littleton Village proposal for the old Marathon property does seem to be wrapped up for now. Littleton City Council unanimously approved a zoning change on Aug. 6 that allows Watt Investment Partners to move forward with the purchase and development of the 77-acre site at Broadway and Dry Creek Road. It’s basically the same plan approved after a substantial amount of public debate in 2006, which went into suspended animation after the economy crashed. “We went through a lot of brain damage in 2006,” recalled Councilor Jim Taylor. But then Watt entered the picture late last year. Its team wanted to build basically the same community, but needed council’s approval to change the layout somewhat to better accommodate retail. Council’s approval paves the way for 250,000 square feet of commercial property and up to 900 residential units. The west side will be oriented toward Broadway, with boutique shops in front, and medium-size boxes — like Kohl’s or a grocery store — behind. In the middle are a park and two apartment buildings, limited to no more than four stories. Single-family homes will fill the east side, backing up to the existing residential neighborhood. Even Littleton resident Paul Bingham, who fought the plan in 2006 and has recently been actively working against proposed multifamily projects around town, said he
Marathon continues on Page 9
Mainstreet mainstay Jose’s to close Restaurant has been a Littleton favorite for 47 years By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com Phyllis and Jose Trujillo are ready to rest. The family announced last week that they will soon serve the final meal in their Main Street restaurant, Jose’s, after 47 years of devoted care to the building, the business, the family recipes and the community. “After a great deal of thought, it is our decision to slow down after this September,” they wrote in a letter to friends and family. “Phyllis and I, as well as our daughters, Teri and Chris, POSTAL ADDRESS
have built our business as a point of destination and a Littleton landmark. We’re proud to have fed generations of families here in the city we love.” Behind the straightforward letter is a host of conflicting emotions for the Trujillos. They speak of a burden being lifted, of looking forward to traveling. Mrs. Trujillo would like to see the East Coast in autumn; Mr. Trujillo wants to ride the Mississippi River in a paddleboat. They both would like to see some festivals around the state other than Western Welcome Week for a change — in Palisade, perhaps.
Jose and Phyllis Trujillo are hanging up the “Closed” sign for good after September, they say. Photo by Jennifer Smith
Jose’s continues on Page 9
LITTLETON INDEPENDENT (ISSN 1058-7837) (USPS 315-780) OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Englewood, Colorado, the Littleton Independent is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display advertising: Thurs. 11 a.m. Legal advertising: Thurs. 11 a.m. Classified advertising: Mon. 12 p.m.
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