Log In


Reset Password
Columnists View from the Center Bear Smart The Travel Troubleshooter Dear Abby Student Aide Of Sound Mind Others Say Powerful solutions You are What You Eat Out Standing in the Fields What's up in Durango Skies Watch Yore Topknot Local First RE-4 Education Update MECC Cares for kids

Transportation just one of many Durango changes

Marbury

The clippity clop of the giant black beauties transported me down Main Avenue of the 1880s. The shiny silver harness glistened in the sunlight as our carriage passed the Strater Hotel. I almost expected to see General Palmer strolling down the street and maybe to catch a glimpse of the infamous Bessie Rivers.

The City Council was in the Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering parade. Colorado cobalt blue skies, cheering crowds, girls with red feathers in their hair, families on horseback, pack mules, llamas, Native American drummers and dancers made me feel as if I were seeing Durango as Olga Little did when she bravely carried supplies to the hungry miners in Silverton. Our carriage driver, Denny Schilthuis, at one point gave me the reins of the giant beauties as he masterfully untangled the harnesses and calmed the pair of moving giants. Instantly, I was Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Much has changed over the century since Durango adopted the home rule style of government. The city has a new library, hospital, recreation center, Animas River Trail, more acquired open space and a free trolley. Transportation in the 1880s was dependent on the horse and carriage. Now, transportation is faced with moving more people in an efficient manner as well as providing places to park cars in our small mountain town.

During the past 40 years, the city parking meters have remained relatively inexpensive. Keeping up with the quarters was always my challenge. City Council made a change in the cost of the meters and the method of payment. I can buy a smart card at the Transit Center. I can use a debit or credit card. Or, I can use my quarters that I scrounge from all my pockets. Change is inevitable and sometimes painful and sometimes sad. Yes, I miss Hogans, Parson’s Drug Store and French Hardware on Main Avenue. Durango has a beautiful Main Avenue, but change has come.

According to the latest data presented to City Council, parking meters have not shown any drop in usage because of the cost. City sales tax is up. Lodgers tax is up. Durango is thriving and bustling. Not everyone is happy about the change in the meters. I understand. A parking ticket rose to $12. Again, a change from the past. Employees of downtown businesses are encouraged to buy a long-term parking permit and to park in a city lot. The cost is $1 a day. It is much cheaper to park in a lot than on the street, if my math is correct. Parking permit data shows an increase in the purchase of long-term parking permits. Parking citations are down. That’s a good change.

I ride the free trolley whenever I can. Our small mountain town has thousands of workers, residents and visitors who are all looking for parking spots. When I ride the trolley, it allows my county friends and tourists to park and shop. Recently, I met a group from Canada on the trolley. They were happy to be in the crisp fall air and to be visitors to our hometown. After the homecoming parade, the trolley was standing-room-only, filled with giggling teenagers and cheerleaders headed back to the high school. I waited for the trolley with an employee of a downtown business. He was grateful to be on the trolley going to work because he doesn’t own a car. Moving people efficiently is a good change.

I often wonder what the early mayors of Durango would think about the 35,000 cars a day going through the intersection by the DoubleTree Hotel. Yes, change has come to Durango.

Bike boxes are good changes in Durango. Many use the bike – not only for pleasure, but also as the means to get to work. I see a man every morning riding his bike past my house in the early hours before dawn. I’m getting my paper. He’s getting off from work. I think about his shift and wish him well as he pedals home down the street.

Recently, I proposed – and City Council agreed – to create First Thursday. On the first Thursday of each month, parking is free after 4 p.m. Again, a change. The Business Improvement District suggestion to have free parking each Friday after 5 p.m. was accepted by City Council. Again, a change.

City Council is listening.

Sweetie Marbury is the mayor of Durango, a position rotating among members of City Council. She was elected to the City Council in 2011 and will serve as mayor until April 2015, when she will be succeeded by Mayor pro tem Dean Brookie. Reach her at SweetieMarbury@DurangoGov.org.



Reader Comments