Exploring a changing Fort Collins

Increased Density on Tennyson Street in Denver

This is what increasing density looks like on the 4400 block on Tennyson Street in Denver. All images captured through Google Streetview. 4470 N. Tennyson St. is the house at the center of each image.4470 N. Tennyson St, Denver - September 20114470 N. Tennyson St,...

The Larimer County Poor Farm

This photo of the Larimer County Hospital is from 1925 or after. It is from a postcard I found on eBay. The small house that can be seen in the background was a part of the Larimer County Poor Farm. I'm currently researching the history of our local hospitals and have...

How We’ve Lived, Over Time, in This Place

The current City Council has spent quite a bit of time looking at housing related issues. Government oversight of rental properties, rezoning mobile home parks, addressing occupancy limits and removing all single family zoning have all at least been on the table. Some...

All New Intersection at Laporte and Loomis

INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTSAll New Intersection at Laporte and LoomisThere are some significant improvements in the works for an offset intersection in an Old Town neighborhood. While most are pleased with the proposed changes, there are a few who believe the redesign...

The Best Routes to Get Downtown by Bicycle

There's a lot going on downtown during the summer. Carpooling to Old Town can be a smart way to go. But for some events, like New West Fest, parking spots are in very short supply. At times like that you'll definitely want to travel by bike or bus instead (or both!)....

Assumptions Made About Bicyclists

Bicyclist using the new bike lane on S. Shields St.   I attended the Magnolia and Shields intersection open house tonight that was hosted by FC Bikes and the City of Fort Collins. In speaking with a fellow participant, I learned the following. All bicyclists are...

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in a Denver Historic District

On July 17th, Historic Denver hosted a tour of ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) in the Curtis Park Historic District. "Accessory Dwelling Unit" is a technical term that refers to any additional living space on a lot other than the main dwelling. So if a single family...

Celebrate Independence by Blocking Someone’s Way

Special events often lead to disregard. At any "normal time" most people seem to get that there are rules to where you can and can't park your car. But when it comes to special events, whether it's a kids' soccer game or a holiday parade, suddenly all rules go out the...

Blessed Are the Pedestrians

“Blessed are the pedestrians,for they have inheriteda world made for motorists."This is a pedestrian sidewalk... though you wouldn't know it from the looks of it. It's one thing to have a tree blocking part of the sidewalk. At least the tree is also providing shade...

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Think BIG

“The ultimate test of man's consciencemay be his willingness to sacrifice something todayfor future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.”― Gaylord Nelson, founder of Earth Day. Humans have been reusing and recycling hand-made goods for millennia....
Meg has been writing about urban development issues in Fort Collins since 2015. Learn more…

Meg also writes about local history at NorthernColoradoHistory.com.

I’m hoping to add a recommended reading section here soon.

Sidewalk Disorder

Sidewalk Disorder

This article was originally published on July 11, 2013 on my North of Prospect website. Since that time a Poudre student was struck by a car when a motorist fell asleep at the wheel. The student was walking on the shoulder of Laporte Avenue on his way to Poudre High...

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The Fort Collins Streetcar Was Here

The Fort Collins Streetcar Was Here

Old streetcar tracks were uncovered today buried under a section of Walnut street. The City is in the process of replacing water pipes that are over 100 years old and it was while digging up the street for that project that the old tracks were found. Though the wood...

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Throwing a Building Away: Adding to the Landfill

Throwing a Building Away: Adding to the Landfill

At the rate we're going, the Larimer County Landfill will be maxed out by 2024 according to the Director's Report published last month. The growth and redevelopment of our built environment is contributing to the amount of waste deposited into the landfill yearly....

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Ginger & Baker: a Delight to the Senses

Ginger & Baker: a Delight to the Senses

Materials, patterns, textures, and colors shape our lasting impressions of a place as profoundly as does its overall formal organization and composition. -- Sarah Williams Goldhagen I had the privilege of eating lunch at Ginger and Baker last week, followed by a tour...

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Auto Idolatry

Auto Idolatry

America's car culture is a form of national idolatry. The United States has prostrated itself to the automobile. Even if you don't believe there is a God, I invite you to bear with me as I use this spiritual analogy to make a point about what our vehicle use, built...

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Walk & Wheel Skills Hub – Fun with a Purpose

Walk & Wheel Skills Hub – Fun with a Purpose

Oh, to be a kid again. I used to play all sorts of games of pretend when I was young. When I was in elementary school, we lived in a small town just outside of metro Boston and I spent a lot of time exploring, imagining, and riding my bike. There's something about...

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What is a subsidy?

What is a subsidy?

In talking about affordable housing, transportation, development and other issues related to urban growth, the term "subsidy" often pops up. It's generally used pejoratively and seems to refer to such a large variety of situations that the meaning can start to get a...

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The Technology That Goes Into Electric Bikes

The Technology That Goes Into Electric Bikes

Congestion on northern Colorado roads is an increasing problem, consuming both our time and patience. The bus works well for some, but with several routes running only once or twice an hour, and other parts of town receiving no bus service at all, it remains an...

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Infrastructure Infill

Infrastructure Infill

"Development is an endurance exercise with incremental improvements."- Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister of Finance of Indonesia For pedestrians and bicyclists, many improvements come slowly and in small ways. And this can be frustrating. But as long as they're coming...

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Visit to Tulsa: View From the Sidewalk

Visit to Tulsa: View From the Sidewalk

With twin daughters that are seniors in high school this year, we've spent a lot of time visiting colleges. Our most recent trip took us to the University of Tulsa, which has a beautiful campus a couple miles east of downtown. Our travels have also provided me with an...

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