It's that quiet time between holiday celebrations and new year resolutions, and I hope your time away from the office - whether gathering with friends and family, volunteering for a special event, relaxing with a good book, or making tracks in the snow - has been filled in whatever way most rejuvenates the spirit, and reaffirms your sense of close community.

PLANNING THE FUTURE OF "OUR TOWN"

One group in Basalt after 10 long weeks of dedicated focus can finally relax (at least until the new year). Possibly the most significant Town event of the season was the final presentation by the Downtown Area Advisory Committee to the Basalt Town Council and community of their recommendations for downtown balance and future development. Long-awaited but not overly surprising, the Report painted a picture of a vibrant downtown core featuring parks, social vitality and a compatible commercial mix. Celebrating the confluence of our two Gold Medal Rivers, the committee focused on water as an integrating theme bringing together residential, commercial and green areas, punctuated by small water features throughout the town.

Key to their vision is the preservation of public green space and "open view planes" between downtown and the proposed River Front Park. Trails for pedestrians, runners, and bicycles will weave through the town, parks and along the riverside, connecting the elements so unique to our historic downtown.

Our Town's Future?  Click the Map for a Larger View

The DAAC model embraces all ages and ability levels, with consideration for everyone from babies in strollers to others with varying ranges of mobility. The committee urges a close look at roadways and parking to complement the integration concept, and use of directional and interpretive signs and maps to orient pedestrians, cyclists, visitors and passers-by. Active and passive recreational opportunities - fishing, boating, biking, picnicking, park play areas, lounging and live music -- will abound.

It's a vision, and a strong one. It grew out of the "Our Town" planning process, and thousands of ideas, maps, drawings and conversations; drew from study of other towns with similar river park potential, townscapes, historic, and commercial/residential aspects; and rested faithfully upon the shared values of small town charm, enhancing our river identity, and promoting vitality and sustainability. The process required that the group keep in mind the necessity of incorporating the realities of public-private ownership and respecting the interests of such stakeholders as Basalt Center Partnership, Lowe Enterprises, the non-profit Community Development Corporation, as well as the Town of Basalt.

I'll only mention briefly that Lion's Park is envisioned as a a key in-town feature and gathering place, and that vision doesn't necessarily include any of the current structures. That means the Chamber of Commerce and its landmark Caboose might one day have a new home wherever that might be. Like the whole plan, I'm happy and even excited to wait it out and see what emerges. I've developed a faith and confidence that Basalt, it's Town staff and representatives, the original Our Town Planning group and DAAC that followed, present a thoughtful, responsible small-town leadership and planning process. At the chamber, we'll remain watchful, participate where beneficial, and, of course, contribute some of our own vision as the discussion continues -- particularly as it relates to our future location.

At times I think of a dynamic, innovative business school operating in conjunction with the Chamber in support of local and valley-wide businesses. At others, I imagine a charming eco-designed office, or Frank Lloyd Wright-style Visitors Center/Chamber of Commerce/Community meeting place with hot chocolate and meeting areas overlooking the river. Please share your thoughts. Where should the Basalt Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center be in five years and what will it look like? Just send a note to [email protected]

A BASALT COMMUNITY PAGE FOR ALL OUR NEWS

"US consumer spending up solid 0.6pct. in November "The Denver Post 12/23/14

"Basalt downtown development plan unveiled." Aspen Times, 12/19/14

"RMI merging with Richard Branson's" Carbon War Room Aspen Daily News 12/17/14 

Letter: A thousand thanks to my angel. "It is my pleasure and gratitude to thank an angel, an anonymous angel, who helped me, my family and some of my neighbors at the Pan and Fork Mobile Home Park in Basalt...." Aspen Times 12/24/14

"On the Fly: All that a Roaring Fork fly-fisher wants"Aspen Times 12/17/14