My wife and I have a keen interest in the development plans for the confluence area and the closed water treatment plant. Over the years we have expressed our ideas to the Glenwood Springs city officials and counselors. We would like to give our input publicly. Neither my wife nor I are architects or city planners, but we have traveled quite extensively and visited many towns and have tried to encompass some of the most attractive aspects of what we have seen in our plan.

Firstly, with the proposed plans for making Seventh Street a “pedestrian mecca” and the development of the area under the bridge, it would seem like a good time to consider extending into the land of the old water treatment plant. The now-temporary access under the railroad track from the car parking lot could be improved. The passenger tunnel could give access to both the existing Two Rivers Park, the bike path, as well as the confluence area.

The buildings on the site should be no higher than two to three stories. It would be aesthetically pleasing if they were curved versus rectangular. The ground floor of some of the buildings could be used for retail stores, restaurants, etc., and the upper floor(s) could be single family condos/apartments.

The idea of a water treatment museum has some merit, but should not be the only purpose for the area. It could perhaps be housed in one of the newly proposed buildings with video of what the plant looked like and how it operated. The Glenwood Springs Historical Society could also be located here. We would like to see one of the buildings house a theater for the performing arts.

Since several of the initial settlers in Glenwood Springs were of Italian heritage, it would be nice to have a piazza-type development. This would lend toward a pedestrian-only atmosphere where people actually stroll and enjoy the natural beauty of the riverfront. A centrally located water fountain amidst a cobblestone walk area and a clock tower that chimed the hour would add to the ambiance. Also, within this piazza could be a fire pit area (like Aspen) for the winter, a water play fountain (like Aspen) for the children to frolic in on hot summer days, picnic tables/shelter, a playground area, public restrooms, horseshoe pits/volleyball areas, etc.

After all, isn’t this what we are all looking for, a place that is inviting to our own townspeople as well as our visitors?

Richard Todd and Bridget Lantz

Glenwood Springs