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May 8, 2014
50 cents Adams County and Jefferson County, Colorado | Volume 69, Issue 26 A publication of
westminsterwindow.com
City seeking comments for projects By Ashley Reimers
areimers@coloradocommunitymedia. com Westminster residents have one more chance to comment on the newly revised list of proposed projects on the 2014 Draft Action Plan. Those projects will be funded by the 2014 Community Development Block Grant, CDBG, funds and Home Investment Partnership Program, HOME, Funds. The city is seeking input until May 16, after which the city will take one last look at the plan before submitting the action plan to the U.S. Department of House and Urban Development, HUD, for approval. “If there is something we receive a lot of public comment on, then we will take a hard look at the plan and makes changes if need be,” said community development program planner Heather Ruddy. “But we don’t expect to receive anything different than we’ve already received in terms of comments.” The city is receiving a total of $614,010 in CDBG funds, more than expected and more than last year. CDBG funds are allocated each year by HUD and are available for projects that benefit cities with low- and moderate-income residents.
Westminster’s allocation will be used to revitalize parts of south Westminster. The proposed projects to receive funding include: Minor Home Repair Program- $75,000 Rodeo Market Park Phase II Community Garden- $150,000 Bradburn Boulevard Stump Removal and Tree Replacement Program- $25,000 Bradburn Boulevard Decorative Lighting Installation- $176,186 CDBG Administration- $106,546 As for the HOME funds, which are allocated through Adams County, the city anticipates receiving approximately $218,557 for 2014. According to the draft plan, the city proposes to direct its entire HOME allocation towards future affordable housing projects. “These funds are so important to the city because they do directly to our low and moderate income areas,” Ruddy said. “It’s money from the federal government, money that we don’t have to use from our general fund to provide direct assistance to those areas of the city.” During the Dec. 9, 2013 city council meeting, the council approved the plan at that time. Mayor pro tem Faith Winter commented on the proposed projects to be funded.
As part of the Draft Action Plan for the 2014 Community Development Block Grant, CDBG, funds, the city is proposing $150,000 be allocated to the Rodeo Market Park Phase II Community Garden, which will add to the already established sculpture garden east of the Rodeo Market facility in south Westminster. Photo by Ashley Reimers “I just want to say that this is a great allocation and it moves us forward in creating an arts district in south Westminster,” Councilor Faith Winter said. “This is a good step forward.” To comment on the Draft Action Plan,
contact Ruddy by email at hruddy@cityofwestminster.us, or send her a letter at 4800 W. 92nd Ave., Westminster, CO 80031. For more information or to view the plan, visit www.ci.westminster.co.us and click on the City Government tab.
Gallery celebrates fifth anniversary By Ashley Reimers
areimers@colorado communitymedia.com Just a short five years ago, Becky Silver opened Aar River Gallery in Westminster. Over the years she’s seen not only the growth of her business, but also the growth of the neighborhood. Silver’s gallery at 3707 W. 73rd Ave., was the first to open in May of 2009 in historic south Westminster, and months after opening, other galleries in the area opened, including Iddle Bits of This and That, Art Gallery 3698 and the Rodeo Market Community Art Center. Silver was clearly the catalyst for the future Historic Westminster Art District, a merchant organization made up of the above galleries and other business in the south Westminster with a mission to create an active, vibrant art district. “It’s kind of cool because everyone was kind of falling in line. Since I had the guts to open a gallery, I guess others decided to open too,” she said. “It’s actually really rewarding to see things develop. It really is.” Silver is celebrating her fifth anniversary with an official birthday party 12-6 p.m. on May
17 at the gallery. The party will feature food, cake, live music and good art. And throughout the month of May will be an anniversary art sale in the Art Cottage next door to the gallery. Before opening Aar River Gallery, Silver spent many years in the art world. She showcased her pieces in various art shows and was part of many artist organizations. She even transformed her home once a year into an open house art gallery for her patrons to enjoy and purchase her art, which turned out to be good practice for her future gallery. During that time, Silver gained a following, which also helped kick-start her business. “I think having such a good patron list from all those years of being an artist in the community helped so much,” she said. “I had over 1,000 people on my list, so it wasn’t like I was starting from scratch.” Silver says her business continues to grow each year. She focuses a lot her attention and income towards marketing, not only her gallery, but the Historic Westminster Art District, to keep her gallery successful. Silver offers fun events like Wine and Watercolors and Afternoon Tea.
Becky Silver, owner of Aar River Gallery in Westminster, is hosting an anniversary celebration at her gallery on May 17. The event will celebrate five years of business at the gallery and will feature food, live music and an anniversary art sale. Photos by Ashley Reimers She also rents out her gallery for private events and will soon the renting out the Art Cottage to artists to display personal artwork.
“I really just want to see the gallery continue to grow, “she said. “It’s a pretty simple business to run. I try to keep my costs down and I try to continue to of-
fer creative events to bring people down to this part of the city.” For more information on Aar River Gallery, visit www.aarrivergallery.com
‘It’s kind of cool because everyone was kind of falling in line. Since I had the guts to open a gallery, I guess others decided to open too.’ Becky Silver POSTAL ADDRESS
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Aar River Gallery in Westminster first opened in May 2009. The gallery is home to owner Becky Silver’s work as well as featured artists and work from Silver’s family members.