A public meeting will be held next Thursday in Westcliffe to discuss future options for the property on west Main Street in Westcliffe which in recent years has been the site of Wet Mountain Western Days, the High Mountain Hay Fever Bluegrass Festival, and other community events.

 

The property is made up of three lots and consists of just slightly less than nine acres. About three and a half acres is owned by the town of Westcliffe; the remaining two parcels are owned by a local family that may donate the land to the town if suitable development plans are put into place.

 

Next week’s meeting is being hosted by the West End Association, an ad hoc committee looking into proposals for the property. Members of the committee include Butch Gemin, Bob Squire, Vic Barnes, Chris Derick, Jim Bradburn and others.

 

This is a rare opportunity for Westcliffe. After all, the property, which sits along the bluff overlooking Grape Creek, provides incredible scenic vistas from anywhere along Westcliffe’s main drag. As a festival site, it’s nearly perfect: close to town, awesome views, public utilities in place, pleasant and comfortable surroundings. A few years ago, several thousand dollars were spent to install a lawn, water and power, and for other site improvements.

 

But now what? A permanent stage structure for future festivals? (Okay as long as scenic views are not impeded.) Additional landscaping and  walking paths? Improved parking?

 

These are some of the ideas likely to be discussed next Thursday.

 

Some private funding is already in place for some engineering assessments at the site. In the meantime, the West End Committee really wants to know what the public might envision for the parcels. It’s a rare opportunity to get in on the basic planning stages of what promises to be an important piece in Westcliffe’s future.