NEW PARK: Dallabetta Park opened Monday with a ribbon cutting ceremony, giving rafters a place to rest and preserving the legacy of a long time Durango family.

The park, located behind Home Depot on the west bank of the Animas River, offers two river take-outs and two picnic shelters. It covers 6.8 acres, with 800 feet of shoreline for angles to cast for trout, adding to Durango's much cherished reputation as a mecca for outdoor activities.

Angie Dallabetta and her family donated 3 acres in 1996 to the city of Durango to create the park. The city acquired the rest of the land from La Plata County.

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TRIMBLE CROSSING: Construction has resumed on Trimble Crossing, the mixed use development on the corner of U.S. Highway 550 and Trimble Lane. When completed the development will consist of single family residences with varied densities and local office/retail.

As a part of the development, a traffic signal will be installed at the 550/Trimble intersection. The $1 million development paid project is currently underway and is expected to be complete in September.

The railroad crossing surface at Trimble Lane was replaced last year as the first step in the signal project. The project will include the installation of new railroad crossing signals with gates, widening Trimble Lane to provide turn lanes and a raised center median; providing corner islands on U.S. Highway 550; resurfacing and re-striping the intersection; and installing traffic signals at the intersection. The traffic signals and railroad signals will be interconnected and synchronized to function together.

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SUMMER: If the last few weeks are any indication, this is going to be a busy summer season. The town is packed with people and all four trains to Silverton are full of tourists.

Our real estate market continues to be strong. Properties are selling and we are as busy as we have ever been. As markets in other parts of the country improve our market will only get stronger. If you are planning a move to Durango now is the time.

Let us know if we can help.

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PINON TERRACE: With construction well underway on Pinon Terrace, Durango's newest affordable housing property, Mercy Housing Colorado will begin accepting applications immediately and opened its waiting list June 1.

Pinon Terrace, northwest of Mercy Regional Medical Center's new facility, will be home to 66 families who need quality, sage, affordable housing in Durango. Mercy Housing Colorado plans to open the property to residents in October 2007. Pinon Terrace will include one-, two-, and three- bedroom townhouses within walking distance of Three Spring's parks, schools and retail.

Amenities will include washer/dryer hook-ups, ceiling fans, exterior storage, a dishwasher, refrigerator, clubhouse, on-site management office, community room, computer lab and laundry room. All residents will have access to the parks and recreational facilities that are a part of the Three Springs master development.

To apply to live at Pinon Terrace, call (970) 385-8618 and leave the following information: name, address, phone number, size of unit needed, number of people and gross annual income. A Mecry Housing Colorado staff member will contact applicants for an initial pre-qualification consultation.

If we can assist you with your Durango real estate needs, please give us a call or an email. We're here to help.

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AIR CONDITIONING: Summer is here and while most homes in our area do not have central air conditioning and increasing number do. A few simple homeowner checks and maintenance will increase both the life of and the efficiency of your system.


Homeowner Checklist:

The amount of do-it-yourself air conditioning maintenance a homeowner can do is limited. However, there are a few steps that can help the system operate trouble-free and minimize the potential for consequential damage. Ensuring adequate airflow is perhaps the most important homeowner responsibility. Homeowners can (following manufacturer instructions):

* Clean or replace the filter(s) regularly.
* Keep leaves and other debris off the condensing unit.
* Keep the condensing coils clean by carefully brushing and hosing them.
* Keep shrubs and other plant growth that might obstruct airflow at least 18 inches away from the condenser.
* Maintain insulation on ductwork in attics and other unconditioned areas.
* Check the condensate drain for any sign of blockage or leakage. Water should be dripping from this drainline when the unit is running.
* Keep room input and return registers clear of furniture or other obstructions.

Selecting Trained Professionals:

If your air conditioner needs more than the regular maintenance described here, consult a qualified air conditioning technician. A well-trained professional can provide a thorough pre-season or maintenance evaluation and servicing as needed. Insufficiently trained service technicians forsake proper diagnostic procedures and often only perform stop-gap measures to keep a unit going. Such short-sightedness can have a drastic effect on other components leading to consequential failure of the entire system. At a minimum, a technician should:

* Check that the system contains the correct amount of refrigerant.
* Test for refrigerant leaks.
* Check for and seal duct leakage.
* Clean the blower components.
* Measure airflow through the evaporator coil.
* Verify the correct electric control sequence.
* Inspect electric terminals, clean and tighten connections.
* Oil motors and check belts for tightness and wear.
* Check the condensate system for backup or leakage.
* Check operating temperatures and pressures.
* Check the accuracy of the thermostat.

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ECONOMICS: Economic opportunities are increasingly coming at altitude. Six of the nations 10 fastest growing state economies last year were located in the Mountain West, including Colorado's, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The Rocky Mountain region has been leading the nation for about three years in overall performance. Strong economic growth is translated into respectable job gains, falling unemployment and rising wages in the region.

Locally, our economy remains strong with unemployment rates below the state average. Its early in the season but it appears we're in for a great tourist season.

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HOUSING: A five point plan to help more La Plata County residents crack the tough housing market was unveiled Friday to local and state officials, developers, nonprofit agencies and curious individuals.

The Regional Housing Authority, created in 2004 to help La Plata County turn residents into homeowners, has led the preparation of strategic housing solutions. The plan would:

* Help communities develop policies leading to smart growth;

* Establish city and county ordinances requiring developers provide a percentage of below market rate housing. There are 190 such programs in the United States;

* Create a $10 million trust fund for second mortgage and down payment assistance.

* Establish a land bank through purchase or donations. Tamarron has contributed 6 acres and Three Springs could provide land for rental units.

* Educate and counsel potential home buyers to create a pool of people ready to take on home ownership.

The housing authority wants to help at least 500 families over a five year period. It's aiming its efforts at home ownership for families earning from $25,000 to $75,000 annually.

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RENTALS: Durango's rental market remained relatively stable in the first quarter of 2007, with vacancy rates slightly down and rents slightly up compared with a year ago.

The median price for all rental units in Durango, including two and three bedroom units, was $801, up $24 from a year ago. The median rental price of $801 sets a new high in Durango. Meanwhile, the vacancy rate was 4.3 percent compared with 7.7 percent last year.

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MEN WHO GRILL: Yesterday we cooked in the "Men Who Grill" competition, a fund raiser for The Women's Resource Center. Twenty-five teams participated in this annual event and the public turnout was fabulous.

Our menu was:

Smoked Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin

with Honey/Mustard Sauce and Grilled Balsamic Peaches. (email me for the recipe)

It's events like this that makes Durango such a special place. There's always something going on. Today is the White Water Rodeo, kayaking competition on the Animas.

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DURANGO: Durango's selection by the National Historic Trust as one of the 2007 Dozen Distinctive Destinations is being promoted on the Trust's web site http://www.nationaltrust.org/ and in their internationally distributed magazine.

The Durango Business Improvement District (BID) is working with the Durango Tourism Office (DATO) and with the city to further support the designation with a new banner to hang over Main Avenue.

Also, the only billboard in Durango (located in the Animas Valley along Highway 550, visible to visitors traveling south, approaching town) will soon advertise the designation as well as Downtown. Rumor has it that numerous travelers make it their "mission" to visit all of the Distinctive Destination cities and towns. The designation surely was a gift to Durango that continues to keep on giving.

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FIRE SAFETY: The majority of homes now have smoke detectors; unfortunately, too many of them are not functioning properly. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the number of homes with non-functioning smoke alarms now outnumber the households with no alarms at all. Missing batteries or disconnected alarms account for over 50% of non-working alarms; dead batteries account for another 20%. In addition, most homes with smoke alarms do not have a unit on every floor.

It is easy to forget that a smoke alarm’s sole function is to sound a warning. Fire spreads fast and smoke is toxic. Generally, when the smoke from a fire triggers an alarm, there is less than three minutes to get to safety. Failure to rapidly respond when an alarm sounds is a leading cause of fire casualties.


The NFPA offers the following tips for the testing and maintenance of smoke alarms:

*Choose a smoke alarm that bears the label of a recognized testing laboratory.

*Install a smoke alarm in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of your home.

*For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all should sound.

*Test your smoke alarms at least every month. Use the test button or an approved smoke substitute and clean the units, all in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions.

*Do not use an open-flame device for testing because of the danger the flame could pose.

*Install a new battery in all conventional smoke alarms at least once a year. Immediately install a new battery if an alarm “chirps,” warning the battery is low.

*Replace smoke alarms that use extended life (10-year) batteries when the alarm chirps or fails to respond to periodic testing. The batteries in these units cannot be replaced.

*Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

*Make sure everyone in the household can hear the smoke alarm(s) when sleeping. Not everyone is easily roused by the sound of an alarm; do a practice run.

*Special smoke alarms are made for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These smoke alarms use strobe (flashing) lights. The use of vibration devices may provide additional benefit in some cases.

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AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Construction is scheduled to begin this summer on 50 units of affordable housing in Fox Farm Village in Bayfield.

The 9.5 acres development takes its name from a commercial fox farm that operated on the site about 70 years ago.

Three non-profits have spoken for 32 of the 50 two and three bedroom units. Housing Solutions for the Southwest will build 14, Colorado Housing Inc. will build 10, and Habitat for Humanity is scheduled to build 8.

Colorado Housing expects to break ground this summer. The units will be built by the buyers, who contribute 600 hours of construction labor under the direction of a contractor.

Habitat for Humanity projects require buyers to supply 350 to 500 hours of labor but the all work need not be on the job site. Home buyers can work in the organization store or participate in events to fulfill their obligation.

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NEW HOME SALES: A big drop in the price of the typical new home sold in April spurred much better than expected sales, according to the latest government reading.

New homes sold nationally at an annual pace of 981,000 in April, up 16.2 percent from the revised pace in March. The gain in sales compared to March is the biggest jump in 14 years.

Builders are dropping prices and clearing out excess inventory. If the trend continues, the troubled markets of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Las Vegas and San Diego will stabilize, the pre-owned home market will improve and folks wanting to relocate to Durango will have an easier time doing so. This is good.

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MORE CONDOS: The City of Durango's Planning Commission has recommended annexation of a 3.5 acre tract near Escalante Middle School and approval of a conceptual planned development design for the piece of land with some conditions.

Out of the 63 planned condominiums about 7 or 8 will sell for less than $200,000 according to the architect. He said the project is geared toward people who earn their living in Durango.

The development, which has now been named Cliffside, will be built on the site formerly occupied by Ted's Rental immediately south of the old Rocket Drive-In.

The current design for Cliffside includes condominiums ranging from 630 square feet to 2,500 square feet and about 22,000 square feet of commercial and office space.

Both the annexation proposal and conceptual development plan will go before City Council at its next meeting.

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BAYFIELD: The yearlong Bayfield sanitation crisis is over. The Town Board voted unanimously to rescind Resolution 208, which imposed a sewer tap moratorium in February that effectively halted all new construction.

The crisis may be over, but Town Manager Justin Clifton said town staff and all users of the sewer system still have a lot of work to do to ensure that the moratorium remains lifted.

Reaction from frustrated builders was relief tinged by lingering resentment that the situation got as bad as it did.

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SELF-HELP HOUSING: A reduction in federal funding is cramping the style of Colorado Housing Inc., the largest provider of self-help housing in Southwest Colorado, according to the agency's board president.

Nevertheless, CHI received $559,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's rural development arm to build 23 single family units in Archuleta, La Plata and Montezuma counties in the next two years.

Self-help housing, also known as sweat-equity, requires buyers to contribute 600 hours of construction labor to their project under the direction of a contractor.

Families whose income doesn't exceed 80 percent of the area median income may apply for the self-help program. The median income for La Plata County is $60,000. Eligibility for the self-help program, with adjustment made for family size, is calculated from this base figure.

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PRICES: The median price for an in-town Durango home slipped in the first quarter to $388,250, according to statistics released by the Durango Area Association of Realtors. That's down 1 percent from the first quarter of 2006.

The median price of all homes sold in La Plata County also dropped slightly, from $345,000 to$328,000.

The total number of sales of in-town homes, 38, was up as compared to 30 in the first quarter of 2006. However, county wide sales totaled 83 compared to 99 in the first quarter of 2006. This softening of the county-wide market was also reflected in the number of days on the market, a 4 percent increase over 2006.

We'll keep you posted.

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CLUSTERED HOUSING: Clustered housing developments have been touted as one solution for managed growth that allows for development while preserving open space in rural areas. Our La Plata County Planning Department is fixated on this concept. But some wildlife experts believe that unless new developments are properly planned, clustered housing is no more effective at preserving wildlife habitat than farms or suburban neighborhoods.

In a clustered housing development, homes are built in a central area with each having a small yard, and the entire development is surrounded by communal open space. In traditional or dispersed developments houses and land parcels are typically spread throughout the area.

Conservation based developments are a must as we continue to grow. But whether we cluster or not, we need to understand that human activity negatively impacts wildlife and we must plan properly to minimize that impact.

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God gives everyone a guardian angel - I call mine Mom.

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MOTHERS:

A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all thing and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.

.....Agatha Christie

A mother is not a person to lean on but a person to make leaning unnecessary.

.....Dorothy Canfield Fisher

Call your Mom!

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