Ear to the ground:
“My grandmother got really drunk. She wanted to go to a strip club.”
– Local woman reliving her spring break adventures in Tampa

Walk on the mild side
The City of Durango will be rolling up the sidewalks.

Starting Mon., March 4, crews will embark on the Downtown Sidewalk Improvement Project, which will span Main Avenue, from 7th to 13th streets. Work, which will be done by FCI Constructors, will begin in the 700 block of Main and work its way north.

City Engineer Gregg Boyson said the first phase of the project should be completed by June 4, in time for the busy tourist season. The second phase of the project, which will tackle the side streets, will commence in October and finish around Thanksgiving, he said.

Only 15 percent of downtown sidewalks are slated for either repair or replacement in an effort to “provide the best possible walking experience along Main Avenue for visitors and locals,” according to a city press release. Many sidewalks have cracked or been damaged over the years from the elements or tree roots.

“The project’s goal is to make sidewalks more aesthetically pleasing and fix any trip hazards,” said Boyson.

The $1.9 million project will be split 50/50 between the City and property owners. The City’s share was partially funded with a grant from the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Program.

Boyson noted the sidewalks are a small part of the $1.9 million pricetag. The project will also replace electrical service to city street lights; install electric car charging stations; install irrigation to trees; and replace electrical circuits for lights for the trees.

Surprisingly enough, the latter was an issue Boyson heard about quite frequently.

“Every year, I hear people asking why there aren’t more lights in the trees during the holidays,” he said. “I guess it looked cheesy with only one string per tree.”

To see a more detailed plan of the sidewalk and downtown holiday outdoor illumination plan, go to: http://co-durango.civicplus.com/index.aspx?NID=379.

Nordic finale
It you haven’t made it up to the Durango Nordic Center yet, now may be the time. According to center director Helen Low, the Nordic Center  typically shuts down when the south-facing hills of the North Loop lose their snow.  “Once that happens, it’s all over,” she said.
And what better time to enjoy the Nordic Center than this weekend when Durango’s junior racers take part in their  last races of the season, the Nordic Divisional Championship. Saturday will be the freestyle sprints, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. followed by the distance races Sunday starting at 9 a.m.