The strategic master plan for the Petra region in Jordan will receive the 2012 American Planning Association’s Pierre L'Enfant International Planning Award. The plan, led in part by Aspen’s Design Workshop, balances the need to preserve the area’s important archaeological resources with increased tourism and economic growth. Photo courtesy of Design Workshop Al Khazneh, The Treasury, in Petra, Jordan A 6th century archaeological gem, Petra was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1968 and more recently, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Petra contains several important archaeological finds, including Al Khazneh, or the Treasury building, whose

Colorado business leaders’ outlook on the economy has turned negative heading into the fourth quarter, according to the most recent quarterly Leeds Business Confidence Index, or LBCI, released earlier this month by the University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business.
 Confidence decreased in all six economic categories measured by the index, with hiring plans leading the decline. For the fourth quarter of 2011, the LBCI posted a reading of 47.3, down from 51.6 in the third quarter, according to Richard Wobbekind, Leeds School economist and executive director of the Business Research Division, who conducts the quarterly survey.
“Unfortunately, this quarterly

Leaders of Colorado’s built environment are feeling generally hopeful and optimistic, according to results of a first-ever statewide survey released in late September by the Everitt Real Estate Center at Colorado State University. The survey provides a first-of-its kind view from the three major sectors involved in the built environment in Colorado, including architectural, construction and commercial real estate professionals. The findings highlight the greatest pessimism among the commercial real estate sector related to challenging national issues, such as the impact of national debt ratings on financing, regulatory guidelines and employment growth. Leaders among architectural and construction sectors expressed more

The American Public Works Association, which just wrapped up its annual convention in Denver in mid-September, honored Aurora’s Prairie Waters project as one of its public works projects of the year nationwide for 2011. Courtesy of Aurora Water Prairie Waters is part of a $1.1-billion, 10-year capital improvement project to reinforce the reliability of Auroras water system. Prairie Waters is part of a $1.1-billion, 10-year capital improvement project to reinforce the reliability of Aurora’s water system. It adds 3.3 billion gal. (10,000 acre-ft) annually to the city’s water supply—a 20% increase. The project is designed to meet Aurora’s water needs

The launch of a new career mentoring program for public-works professionals was the headline event at the annual American Public Works Association convention, which was held in Denver on Sept. 18-21 and attended by more than 6,000 APWA members.The association has created the Donald C. Stone Center, named for the federal planner who founded APWA in 1937. It supports career education and organizes the association’s 96 newly inaugurated Fellows to mentor industry professionals.“We inducted our first-ever group of industry Fellows at the convention, and they will be linked as mentors for a full year to people entering the careers program,”


Denver drivers frustrated with long commutes along the U.S. 36 corridor between Boulder and Denver could get some relief after federal transportation officials finalized a $54-million loan in early September that will add nearly 10 miles of express lanes and other improvements between Pecos Street and the Interlocken Loop. The loan represents the final finance piece for the $306-million project scheduled to begin construction next spring.
Representatives from the Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, and the High Performance Transportation Enterprise signed the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan, which carries a 3.58% interest rate and must

Denver’s new 60,000-sq-ft Police Crime Laboratory celebrated its topping out in early September. The $36-million facility will replace the city’s existing 14,000-sq-ft lab, currently housed in the Police Administration Building. Courtesy of City and County of Denver The building features three levels of lab and office space and will connect to the Police Administration Complex at 14th Avenue between Cherokee and Delaware streets. With the additional 46,000 sq ft, the Denver Police Dept. can offer improved forensic and evidence-handling resources to scientists and investigators. The building features three levels of lab and office space and will connect to the Police

Capping a yearlong effort to ensure efficiency and sustainability in planning, construction and operation, Alta Aspen Grove apartment community received LEED-Silver certification during a ceremony in early September. Photo by Elevate Photograhy, courtesy of Wood Partners High-end amenities include double-sided gas fireplaces in select homes, nine-ft ceilings and crown molding, walk-in closets and granite counter tops. The 280-unit luxury apartment complex officially opened its doors in mid-June in Littleton, Colo., just west of Denver.Located on 17.5 acres at 7317 South Platte River Parkway, Alta Aspen Grove is adjacent to a nature preserve, a bicycle greenway path and a light rail

The High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE), a government-owned business within the Colorado Dept. of Transportation, has received an unsolicited proposal for a public-private partnership to improve the I-70 west mountain corridor.
 The proposal has been submitted by Parsons, a Pasadena, Calif.-based international design, engineering and construction company. The proposed development plan identifies a phased program of transportation infrastructure improvements on Interstate 70 between C-470 and Silverthorne initially and extending to Eagle in the future. The proposal does not preclude improvements identified in the I-70 west mountain corridor Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision., according to CDOT.Parson’s proposal includes "an

Mountain States contractors continue to sing much the same song as last year—a tired blues number about tight competition, low margins and declining backlogs that most of them know by heart. Revenue for all but a handful of regional contractors declined again in 2010, especially for heavy-highway firms, whose leaders are growing increasingly concerned about declining state and federal funding for roads and other infrastructure.“Utah spent approximately $1.6 billion in 2010 in transportation funding. The current budget estimates that 2011 [spending] will be $300 million,” says Jeff Clyde, vice president of the heavy division at WW Clyde, Salt Lake City.