The "Challenge" of building a great downtown

I wanted to share with the Colorado Springs community about a wonderful grant program that is available to business and property owners downtown. The Colorado Springs Downtown Development Authority is offering a "Challenge Grant" for those who want to do improvements to their property that will benefit the public in some way. Grants will be awarded in accordance with the City's Imagine Downtown Plan, and match funds up to $25,000.

We are applying to put a mural on the blank side of the Giddings Loft building. Many communities in the United States have urban art programs, and Colorado Springs should be no exception. We have already gotten underway with the VAS (Visually Aesthetic Spaces) program that places art in empty retail spaces. Now, let's get some permanent beautification happening! Even my hometown of Huron, South Dakota (with a population of about 25,000 or so) has begun a mural project! We have a good start on this--the "Mozart @ 200" piece on the side of the Cheyenne Building is by the same artist we are proposing to use.

So, wish us luck. And if anyone else has a potential project that would qualify, I would strongly urge you to apply. This is a great opportunity to have your dollars go further and do something positive for the community. More information about the grant is available at: www.downtown80903.com