48 Years Ago
The July 20, 1977 Golden Transcript saw Golden doing some soul-searching. The downtown business district had been in a long, slow decline for more than a decade, and the loss of the Hested’s store the previous January had left half a block vacant. The Transcript surveyed its readers, asking how Golden could be improved.
Some of the answers are interesting in light of things we later did to revitalize downtown. Others were not particularly constructive, such as: I would improve Golden with a bulldozer and start over, right down the main street, both sides.
Comments on the Arch and the Bull
First get rid of ugly sign.
I would either fix and keep fixed the clock on the arch or take it down and paint over it.
The welcome arch would look very nice without the picture post card scene and the Howdy Folks.
The painting on the Arch is rude. I have not felt Golden is very friendly, so the “Welcome” is debatable.
The Charolais bull in the parking lot of the Holland House is absolutely ridiculous and adds nothing to the landscape of Washington Avenue.
Change the welcome to Golden sign–and get rid of the Holland House bull.
Trash Talk
More could be done to keep the sidewalks clean.
Clean up trash and litter. The main street and around pool and park–they are filthy all the time! People are not taking pride in homes and city.
One of the continuing problems in most areas of Golden is the trash that is allowed to accumulate in alleys.
Since that time, first the Golden Urban Renewal Authority and now the Downtown Development Authority have paid for frequent trash collection and to have the sidewalks power washed.
Mystery Reference
Accept new business even if there is another one of its type, for example, Cottrell’s, Eakers. Don’t reject them because they are not pioneer stock. Look what happened to the Indians.
I have no insights into this one, but I found the comment interesting. I wonder who was doing the snubbing, and if it was really because some stores weren’t “of pioneer stock?”
Coors Manufacturing Buildings
Have Coors Porcelain do something with their Washington Street exposure.
It’s taken another 40+ years, but CoorsTek (formerly Coors Porcelain) is in the midst of a major renovation of their property, with the intent of making it their corporate headquarters and a showcase.
Suggested Facelift
Maybe some planters and small trees in front of the sidewalks.
In 1992, the City, the Golden Civic Foundation, and the Golden Urban Renewal Authority installed planters along Washington Avenue. The trees and the flowers get prettier every year.
