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September 25, 2014 VOLU M E 51 | I SS UE 6 | 5 0 ¢
Northglenn-ThorntonSentinel.com A D A M S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
Hanging on to roots Welby keeps an eye on its past as it moves forward By Tammy Kranz
tkranz@colorado communitymedia.com
T
he North Metro Line could revive a community that started more than a hundred years ago, appropriately enough, with ties to the railroad. Arthur Welby, vice president of Denver, Laramie and Northwestern Railroad, established his namesake community in 1909. Welby is a four-square-mile section whose borders are south of east 88th Avenue, west of the South Platte River, north of Interstate 76 and east of Interstate 25. Settlers had been flocking to the area since 1889, mostly Italian immigrants who farmed carrots, squash, peppers, celery and onions on five to 10 acre plots. Approximately 300 Italian families lived in Welby by 1920. “Those 300 families that came
had such a desire to be here, and were proud to be here,” said lifelong resident Norma Frank. Nearly 15,000 people now live in Welby, and the population is expected to increase with renewed interest in development because of two planned commuter rail stations near the area. The Regional Transportation District (RTD) will construct stations at 88th and 72nd Avenues. The Welby neighborhood will be within a half-mile radius of both stations. “While not located in the neighborhood, both of these stations have extension area and/ or transit-oriented development plans, which can have significant effects (e.g. commercial development) on the community as seen around other RTD stations,” according to the Adams County Welby Plan. When Adams County staff began working on its Comprehensive Plan in 2012 and started holding public meetings, one thing became clear — members of the Welby community wanted a say in the future of their neighborhood. County officials created a subarea plan for the Welby neighborhood, and during this
process almost 1,000 from the area participated in meetings, focus groups and online outreach resources. The county adopted the Welby Plan in May. “Residents and business owners are interested in local retail, appropriate light industrial job creation, grocery stores and other uses such as museums that link the area to its rich agricultural and diverse heritage,” said Abel Montoya, Adams County Planning and Development director. Frank said having the subarea plan was important in order to foster smart growth. Frank, whose family settled in Welby 110 years ago, has seen the area change greatly over the years and expects more transitions in the future. “I know in my life change is going to happen,” she said. “I just hope we can build a strong historic connection and keep the pride people have for the area.”
POSTAL ADDRESS
Residents consider this area of Welby at York Street and 78th Avenue the heart of the community. Plans are in the works to improve the York between 78th and 73rd Avenues. Photo by Tammy Kranz
NORTHGLENN-THORNTON SENTINEL (ISSN 1044-4254) (USPS 854-980) OFFICE: 8703 Yates Dr., Ste. 210 Westminster, CO 80031 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Adams County, Colorado, the NorthglennThornton Sentinel is published weekly on Thursday by MetroNorth Newspapers, 8703 Yates DR., Ste. 210 Westminster, CO 80031. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT WESTMINSTER, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 8703 Yates Dr., Ste. 210 Westminster, CO 80031 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legal: Fri. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 5 p.m. G ET SOCIAL WITH US
P L EA SE R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
TOP: An early 1920s photo of students on a bus boarding the Assumption Parochial School bus. The twostory school is now called Assumption Catholic School and was built in 1920 next to the Assumption church.BOTTOM: Adams County Commissioners (from left) Erik Hansen, Eva Henry and Charles “Chaz” Tedesco help 81-year-old Rosemary Fink (center) unveil renovation details for Rotella Park July 19. Fink’s father, Phillip Rotella, donated the park site to the county more than 40 years ago. Courtesy photos
An eye on smart growth
Within a couple months of adopting the Welby Plan, county officials began addressing one of the goals identified in the document — making improvements at Rotella Park. The 40-acre park is near the center of the Welby community, at 2224 Coronado Parkway South, and was donated to the county more than 40 years ago by Phillip Rotella. The $1.7 million renovation project at the park will correct drainage conditions around the two gravel parking lots and low lying areas; repair, modify or replace shelters, park furniture,
REMINISCING GROWING UP, Robin O’Dorisio
remembers stories her great-grandfather told about packing up his wagon with produce and heading downtown to Denargo Market before the sun began to rise.
“His horse knew the way,” she said. “He would basically sleep and the horse would take him to the market.” DENARGO MARKET was built alongside Union Pacific Railroad tracks, and more than 300 stalls were leased to area farmers — including those in Welby — who sold their produce to grocers, wholesalers and peddlers on the trains.
Welby continues on Page 14
Mapleton places two measures on ballot District seeks approval for $67 million bond; $2.5 million mill levy By Tammy Kranz
tkranz@colorado communitymedia.com Aging facilities and state budget cuts have prompted Mapleton Public Schools to ask voters to approve a $67 million bond and $2.5 million mill levy. If voters approve both measures, the cost to residents per $100,000 of assessed home value would be $5.38 a monthly, or $64.60 annually. The bond alone would cost residents $1.82 a month while the mill levy alone would cost $3.56 per month. The daily cost for residents is 18 cents (per $100,000 of home value) if both measures pass, which Superintendent Charlotte Ciancio said is a sound investment in the future of the children.
“Mapleton Public Schools is a good steward of the community investment,” she said. “We made good on our promises in the 2010 bond. We continue to go after grant dollars and any resources available to provide the best educational experience for our community’s kids. In the meantime our buildings and facilities continue to age and our budgets continue to be cut.” Revenue from the bond would be used to construct, acquire, improve and equip district facilities; extend the life of aging school buildings by making improvements to flooring, roofs, HVAC systems, plumbing and electrical systems; and renovating and repairing buildings to improve security and comply with current safety codes. “Mapleton’s schools were constructed in the 1950s, and our aging facilities continue to pose challenges for a full small-by-design implementation,” said Superintendent Charlotte Ciancio. “The 2010 bond — graciously supported by our community — helped us address needs at half of our sites. We
Voters last approved a bond for Mapleton Public Schools in 2010, which helped cover the cost of an overhaul of the Skyview Campus (pictured). The district is asking voters to approve a $67 million bond in November to construct, acquire, improve and equip facilities.Courtesy photo are hoping to be able to make some improvements to the remainder of the schools to benefit kids.” Proposed projects to be paid for from the bond include: campus renovation and security updates at Global Leadership Academy; HVAC
and safety upgrades at Achieve Elementary; entrance, plumbing and safety upgrades at Adventure Elementary, addition and renovation, bathrooms and safety upgrades at Bond continues on Page 15