August 6, 2015 VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 29
Festival Guide Inside LoneTreeVoice.net A publication of
D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Light-rail extension contract awarded Project in Lone Tree now waiting on federal funding By Mike DiFerdinando
mdiferdinando@colorado communitymedia.com
The July 29 launch of the new Windows 10 operating system took on some star glitter when the Microsoft Store at Park Meadows mall in Lone Tree gave out 1,500 free passes to a OneRepublic concert in the mall parking lot. In addition to the July 31 concert by the popular band, the store hosted numerous demonstrations of the product and gave away free food and prizes. “We’re just trying to get everyone to upgrade their world,” said Jessica Oleis, Microsoft community development specialist, referencing the product’s slogan.
A contractor has been selected to build the Southeast Light Rail Extension in Douglas County. The Regional Transportation District board approved a $140 million contract for Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc. to design and build the rail extension. Design will begin this fall with construction expected to start in the spring of 2016. The construction phase is dependent on the awarding of a full-funding grant agreement from the Federal Transit Administration. Balfour Beatty has committed to completing construction of the line by early 2019. The extension will build an additional 2.3 miles of light rail on the existing Southeast Line south of Lincoln Avenue. The extension will run along the west side of Interstate 25 from Lincoln Station and then cross over the highway and run along the east side of the highway to the south side of RidgeGate Parkway in Douglas County. “This extension will make it possible for RTD to connect people in a rapidly growing part of the metro area to the rest of the region, including Denver International Airport,” Dave Genova, RTD’s interim general manager, said in a news release. Once the project is completed, people will be able to travel on one train from the RidgeGate station via the I-225 Rail Line through Aurora to Peoria Station and connect to the commuter train to Denver International Airport — or stay on one train and travel to Union Station in downtown Denver. The project will include an end-of-line station at RidgeGate Parkway and 1,300
Windows 10 continues on Page 10
RTD continues on Page 10
OneRepublic performs in the parking lot of Park Meadows mall in Lone Tree as part of a launch-event promotion for the new Windows 10 operating system. The Microsoft Store gave out 1,500 free passes for the July 31 event. Photos by Sean Healey
Windows 10 launch is a festive event OneRepublic gives concert in lot outside Park Meadows By Mike DiFerdinando
mdiferdinando@colorado communitymedia.com
South Metro firefighters lounge on their engine as they watch the crowd and OneRepublic in the parking lot at Park Meadows mall in Lone Tree.
Lone Tree seeks public input on library building City plans to use site for community space By Mike DiFerdinando
mdiferdinando@colorado communitymedia.com The city of Lone Tree is seeking the public’s input on how best to use the library building at 8827 Lone Tree Parkway. The building is an unusual one. It’s designed to look like an open book and doesn’t contain a right angle. Lone Tree will be hosting public meetings at 2 p.m. Aug. 12 and 7 p.m. Aug. 19 to solicit ideas. Both meetings will be at the Lone Tree Civic Center. “Our residents feel a really strong connection to the building both in terms of location and history,” said Kristen Knoll, Lone Tree’s community outreach coordinator. “It’s kind of where Lone Tree started.” Groundbreaking occurred May 4 on the
site of what will be the new Lone Tree Library just east of the Lone Tree Arts Center at the corner of Commons Street and Sky Ridge Avenue. The 25,000-square-foot library will be 2.5 times as large as the current library on Lone Tree Parkway and will open in spring 2016. The city bought the old library building for $800,000 in order to retain it as a community resource rather than let it be sold to a commercial developer. The city hopes to gauge the public’s opinion on how the space could best be used in the future. Ideas for the space have already come in, with suggestions ranging from a dedicated space for seniors or teens to a recreation space or even a business center. “It’s really important to us that we listen to the community and create a space that they want and will be a benefit to them,” Knoll said. After listening to the opinions and suggestions of residents, the city will bring the ideas to the city council in September.
The city of Lone Tree paid $800,000 for the library building at 8827 Lone Tree Parkway with plans to redevelop it as a community asset. Photo by Mike DiFerdinando