[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6475018,"mediaKeyId","5737898-28f61dbdc656fe2d1e013043cd0c4845","parentId",5737898,"title","Main Street advisory and development services describe downtown momentum, Hunt Avenue funding and housing pipeline","audioSeconds",1671,"startMs",569000,"endMs",2240000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5737898-28f61dbdc656fe2d1e013043cd0c4845&start=569&end=2240","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5737898-28f61dbdc656fe2d1e013043cd0c4845/thumbnail_569000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6475018/Alamosa-City/Alamosa/Colorado/Main-Street-advisory-and-development-services-describe-downtown-momentum-Hunt-Avenue-funding-and-housing-pipeline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475018-8500ab9cf7bfabbab34c7c252fc7dcb5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187292&Signature=KMFlT4liblkcqOp8Hg6AwROnTndcggfNKD-Nn2HNDbfaCQfVTnLavVFBDXGcMi1OgkMaGDX6li5d2iRohxzklEcly-LtWIylaK0-nifWQtyKKjzuyezSpJ~nv~AVm~yt8y1WHiz318d8d4rnekNmU4fZfupp2SwDvTjoda1W-a4sfUCHBnk5Gho86RgsjzQQYnZvBkvHGxvHuLYouKCKlBQrrmDoxJ-V4soMjrnpycT4136~PkJO4uncFjc-M-X0vbuhL5qfrXByzQtXw5VeUZEiMrhWeZoZyp~vwy4e7ZAcxS60t8OqQXHwv7tnjGPJB02mopcynYfHNstTBXDtzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alamosa","date","2025-09-09T13:35:29Z","article","The Main Street Advisory Committee and city development staff told the Alamosa City Council that a bundle of downtown projects—alley activations, riverfront planning, the Hunt Avenue pedestrian and multimodal improvements and several building redevelopments—are moving from planning into construction and predevelopment, and that housing efforts are advancing alongside downtown activation.

Matt Abbey, chair of the Main Street Advisory Committee, told council members the committee’s work and the city’s adopted downtown design plan have produced tangible projects and events over the last several years. “When we do this, when community leaders, including the business people and the folks at the county and our city staff and the council members plan the work and work the plan together, great things happen,” Abbey said.

Abbey reviewed a list of catalytic projects that the committee and staff described as either complete, underway or scheduled, including monthly street events, alley activation work, façade and building redevelopments, the Hunt Avenue connector, riverfront activation concepts and creative-district efforts. He said the Main Street designation process confirmed the city was already doing many of the activities required for the state program.

Heather James (development services staff) gave the quarterly update on downtown and housing. She told the council the city approved a conditional-use application for redevelopment of the Valley Textile Building and that alley work and utility lining behind several downtown buildings is complete or in progress. For Hunt Avenue, James said full-construction appears feasible next year and that staff secured additional grant support that supplements an earlier revitalized-Main-Street grant; she reported roughly $1 million remained from the original grant and that a separate regional multimodal program provided additional funds, an amount staff identified in the meeting as $1.78 million.

James also described multiple housing predevelopment conversations and technical assistance outcomes: a technical-assistance deliverable on dilapidated-house strategies; ongoing predevelopment for residential projects near the high school; a possible mobile-home development; proposed small modifications to Tierra Azul’s planned-unit development to allow different housing types; and work with CRHDC on multifamily options. The city also secured a $50,000 grant toward a housing needs assessment portion of the comprehensive plan.

Councilors praised the committee and staff. Councilor Jan Vigil and Councilor Liz Hensley thanked Abbey and staff for leadership and for creating a safer, activated downtown. Councilor Cribbs and others asked for engineering-level details about Hunt Avenue and were told detailed plans and RFP sequencing will be provided as the project proceeds. Staff said the city intends to put Hunt Avenue to bid by December with the hope of building most of the corridor next year.

The council did not take an action on these updates; staff framed the reports as informational and as context for grant and capital work anticipated in the coming year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Alamosa City Council Meeting 09/03/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Main Street Advisory Committee and city development staff said downtown catalytic projects—alley activations, façade work, Hunt Avenue improvements and riverfront activation—are moving from planning into construction or predevelopment, while housing projects advance in parallel.","taxTitle","Alamosa City, Alamosa, Colorado","taxId",52279,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6475023,"Council approves first reading of utilities ordinance updating tap fees, backflow rules; public hearing set",656,1364000,2020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5737898-28f61dbdc656fe2d1e013043cd0c4845&start=1364&end=2020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5737898-28f61dbdc656fe2d1e013043cd0c4845/thumbnail_1364000.jpg","/articles/6475023/Alamosa-City/Alamosa/Colorado/Council-approves-first-reading-of-utilities-ordinance-updating-tap-fees-backflow-rules-public-hearing-set","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475023-3a436ebfc36bbe5907ea1081892c1284/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187292&Signature=PfQdjev2IrJNPAPNMDt5uinDHd5AK9s6etLKbtHCuHAfHtJME-7zpcPSGf6m2FyfN7AmVzsrK-nLgws7bfcBrpdXlvbNWPRe12wczKqiX69Y3jGAm28MbuOU13b068D3bUxG7Q~nLJOHJsJN9szHO2KaGf81QOqPqTfcvuc72A2IblXvpj8Ms9wEVT1z4tgGWCfOavd7K7s6hDHnxh5irhbfW4sXBjsnR0ErKrNA3OR6V1rzx34-KymxxAEOyGpgZ0~g7wENe0l8cK2jmIPzxYk1q1gDrz4kl8WPpC4CuY1FX7gwu19VzarXaxWchkdwO4SI7DvmMGzlAJsCB-teMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alamosa City Council on first reading approved changes to Chapter 20 of the city code covering utilities, including updated tap fees, clarified service-line responsibilities, a requirement tying some water services to annexation, and revisions to backflow prevention rules. The council voted 5–1 to advance the ordinance and set a public hearing for Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.

The ordinance, introduced by public works staff, rewrites the utility chapter to separate stormwater from sanitary sewer, modernize terminology (for example using the term “service line”), and explicitly identify the curb-stop valve as Water Works property that the public may not operate. Deacon (public works staff) told the council the rewrite was prompted in part by a recent state law that requires changes to backflow prevention practices: “One of the reasons why we’re finally bringing this to you is, the state passed a bill this last year that requires some changes to our backflow prevention,” Deacon said during the presentation.

Councilors heard staff explain the substantive changes. Tap fees, last set in February 2007 at $500 (not including plant investment fees), were recalculated to reflect current meter materials and installation labor. Deacon said the city broke down meter costs by installation type and is adjusting fees “to cover the costs of the meters, material, and labor.” Harry (city staff) added that the city will perform a rate study next year and that the current adjustments are intended only to align tap fees with the city’s immediate hard costs.

Other changes in the ordinance include:
- Clarifying where responsibility for service lines begins and ends between property owners and the city;
- Adding explicit code language restricting public operation of curb-stop valves;
- Updating the solid-waste section to reflect the city’s existing green-waste drop-off and to limit commercial tree-trimming businesses from using residential drop-off areas;
- Altering backflow-prevention tagging and testing rules, including removal of the annual testing requirement for many residential irrigation systems in line with the new state law; and
- Explicitly tying eligibility for city water service in some cases to annexation under the city’s three-mile annexation plan, while allowing limited exceptions.

Councilor Liz Hensley said the fee changes address equity between developers and existing ratepayers: “I would say I also considered it an equity issue to where development’s paying for itself instead of all the ratepayers paying for it.” Councilor Carson cast the only no vote; the clerk announced the motion carried 5 to 1.

The ordinance was given first-reading approval and is scheduled for a public hearing and second reading on Sept. 17, 7 p.m., or soon thereafter. Councilors and staff said the draft ordinance will be revisited after the planned citywide rate study next year, which could further adjust plant investment fees or other rates.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: Approve Ordinance No. 20-20-25 (first reading) amending Chapter 20 (utilities) and set public hearing for Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. — Mover: Councilor Yanvijo — Second: Councilor Liz Hensley — Outcome: Passed 5–1 (Councilor Carson voted no).","On first reading the Alamosa City Council approved amendments to Chapter 20 of the municipal code addressing water, sewer, stormwater, solid waste and backflow prevention, and set a Sept. 17 public hearing. Council voted 5–1 on the ordinance; Councilor Carson cast the lone no vote.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6475013,"Residents raise policing and homelessness concerns during public comment; city outlines complaint process",188,180000,368000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5737898-28f61dbdc656fe2d1e013043cd0c4845&start=180&end=368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5737898-28f61dbdc656fe2d1e013043cd0c4845/thumbnail_180000.jpg","/articles/6475013/Alamosa-City/Alamosa/Colorado/Residents-raise-policing-and-homelessness-concerns-during-public-comment-city-outlines-complaint-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475013-9524ce20d946ce376e2441c54c0e9a3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187292&Signature=C8K6AcA5V572kJw9Q9BUMcYkASs1dPETdfq-qj1~m0yysXkPj2t70dOoWBmu7CGtaUGcNCAVwb3zuCoAk4YbSeRJRVv5lOTL~2S6IFuoTNuroI4yeb3B9zDNCM05~rasznGV0m0JFNb4mkON-Eiqr9C35pMtwW4iZ77-baN6v6JgqucA80OvHwY3xG1r-oSn6UW8RnpDqeU1Q2Gl1flixPAI6Qq3IZZ8jcGtA1FhHFqJmfceNLt9lHBgBu5pe1Xti80acM-gDBoNn~HTjwcfefliowaNNGgz4wKuRtQ0Mo4KUoDE0s~aQl01sEIHkR-hR6FXYM4GYCAbdm8MMJWGYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two residents used the council’s public-comment portion to raise allegations about policing practices and to call for better treatment of people experiencing homelessness in Alamosa. City staff informed the public how to file formal complaints.

Philip Perry, who identified himself as a member of a veterans’ homeless coalition, described repeated negative encounters with police and said outreach and services for people living outside are inadequate. “I have been by this city treated like a piece of dog,” Perry said. He described witnessing drug activity and expressed the view that policing behavior was worsening conditions for people experiencing homelessness.

Bradley Bennett said he had witnessed and experienced police brutality and criticized the local justice system as biased. “I’ve witnessed police brutality, violating the people’s amendment rights. I’ve witnessed them beat on people. I’ve also been a victim,” Bennett told the council.

In response, City staff member Miss Sanchez reminded the public that the city maintains a formal complaint process for concerns about police behavior. “We do have a formal process where they can submit complaints that will be investigated. Those forms can be found on the website… or they can call the police department at 589-2548 to receive those forms,” Sanchez said during the meeting.

Councilors did not take formal action during the public-comment period; Sanchez said complaint submissions will be handled through the department’s established procedures.","Two residents accused police of mistreatment and broader misconduct during public comment. City staff described the formal complaint process and provided contact information for filing complaints.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Main Street advisory and development services describe downtown momentum, Hunt Avenue funding and housing pipeline

Council approves first reading of utilities ordinance updating tap fees, backflow rules; public hearing set

Residents raise policing and homelessness concerns during public comment; city outlines complaint process