May 5, 2016
HIDDEN CITY?
VOLUME 32 | ISSU E 4 5 | 50 ¢
1866
Take an inside look at Golden’s old neighbor on PAGE 36.
2016
WheatRidgeTranscript.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
WHEAT RIDGE STEM TEAM TAKES SECOND NATIONALLY
ALL ABOUT BOOKS Emphasis on reading at young age inspires next generation of bookworms. PAGE 14
District’s plan would consolidate, close schools School officials say $420 million proposal addresses capital needs, enrollment trends By Crystal Anderson canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Wheat RIdge STEM students at the Shell Eco-marathon of the Americas with their urban concept car, Thunder. The team finished second in the prototype hydrogen fuel category, achieving 69.9 miles per kilowatt-hour. This marks the second year in a row that the school has achieved a podium finish in the competition. Photo courtesy of Chuck Sprague
Speed on 19th Street concerns residents Project to calm traffic to begin during Mines’ summer break
By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com Grace Griego likes Golden’s plan to beautify 19th Street, between Parfet Estates and Goldenvue drives, with trees, bike paths and wider sidewalks. “Aesthetically, the proposals make it
look less like a boulevard and more like a city street,” said Griego, who has lived for 28 years in the same home, which backs up to 19th Street. But what most concerns her and other residents who attended an April 27 meeting to learn about proposed improvements is the speed of traffic hurtling through their neighborhood. City-conducted studies reveal vehicles in the area generally travel 5 to 8 mph above the posted 30 mph limit. It
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was not uncommon to clock vehicles at up to 60 mph. Which is why the city is eager to begin the project, designed to slow traffic by lowering the speed limit to 25 mph, adding medians and narrowing the streets — which will create bike lanes and wider, more pedestrian friendly sidewalks. “Once the council gives us the
The 2016 Jefferson County Schools facilities master plan proposes dramatic changes over the next seven years, including the closure of seven schools, consolidating 10 elementary schools into five new buildings, moving 44 sixth grades to middle schools and modifying boundary lines. The $420 million plan affects each of the 154 schools in the district — providing needed renovations to many — but has left many parents, teachers and community members asking for more information. “It’s a very large plan that leaves questions for every school community in the district and some items don’t have answers yet,” said Shawna Fritzler, Arvada parent and founder of Support Jeffco Kids. “There are specifics that parents need to bring up to ensure the best possible outcomes. Even things the district has not thought of must come to light in these discussions.” Plan continues on Page 7
ABOUT THE PLAN To view the plan, visit www.jeffcopublic schools.org/fmp.
Street continues on Page 11
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