Senator Gardner’s tour focuses on Trinidad progress
Article posted by The Chronicle-News on March 4, 2020. Read full article here: www.thechronicle-news.com
by Steven Block
Colorado’s Front Range corridor from Ft. Collins down to Pueblo seems to be bustling with economic activity and population growth, while more rural areas in the state are struggling economically. U. S. Senator Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, went on a Trinidad Trolley ride through the heart of Historic Downtown Trinidad on Wednesday, July 3 to get a personal feeling for a city that’s succeeded in blending its historic past with an exciting future filled with new opportunities.
The tour group also heard from local business owners about the successes and challenges of workforce development as key parts of the overall development efforts, with Michaels noting that revitalization and economic growth has the potential of bringing in many new residents for the service-related jobs that will become available from the endeavor.
The historic Fox West Theatre located at 423 W. Main St. was the tour’s final stop. In late December 2017, the City bought the building from its previous owners, after it was closed in 2013. The purchase was made possible with $200,000 from History Colorado and the Colorado State Historical Fund, and $75,000 in city Capital Improvement Project funds. Its spacious and glamorous design dominates the west end of Trinidad’s historic Main Street. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places as an anchor property in the El Corazon de Trinidad District downtown.
The theater has seating for 1,200 people and it was designed as a venue for live performances. It’s ballroom measures 40 feet by 70 feet. The theater was the subject of a 2016 Community Use Survey by Christopher Smith, PhD, in conjunction with Urban Neighborhoods, Inc., and Denver developer Dana Crawford.
Smith is a college professor from Vermont with wide knowledge and deep appreciation for historic theatres. Smith led the tour group through the dimly lit theater, commenting on its enormous development potential but highlighting the many challenges faced by developers in restoring the iconic building.
