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Concern Over Future of North Avenue

by KREX News Room
by Amanda Brandeis

Story Created: Jun 21, 2012 at 7:27 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jun 22, 2012 at 2:23 PM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- North Avenue is a part of Grand Junction that officials are trying to bring back to life. A recent financial report revealed there has been a 22 percent decrease in revenue over the last five years on North Avenue.

Kevin Bray, development coordinator for Bray Real Estate, said, “I remember stories that my dad would tell about dragging down North Avenue. They would drive up and down North. It's become more of an urban corridor. It's not the small town highway that it used to be." He is now involved with the revitalization of the area.

Brian Bray, a longtime resident of Grand Junction, said, “It was coined at one point as the hangout spot. Everyone would hang out on North Avenue."

Some areas in the city are seeing economic growth, including the Mesa Mall and businesses in that area, but others are showing signs of struggle.

Jodi Romero, who is the financial operations director for Grand Junction, said, “Some are showing a loss where others are not. North Avenue is showing a slight decrease."

“There wasn't anything you couldn't get on North Avenue. Now they're all moving," said longtime Grand Junction resident, Kelly Adams.

Gwenn Pierce, a sales associate for Hastings, said, “Being on North Avenue can be tough, but we do our best to try and keep sales going."

Members of the city and the community want to see some changes on North Avenue. Two groups are focusing on changing the area. One is a steering committee created by the city, and there's also a group of concerned business owners.

“North Avenue has 27,000 vehicle trips a day, so it really is still a vibrant corridor. It's just prime for some redevelopment and revitalization," said Kevin Bray.

There are aspects of North Avenue that get officials excited about its future. “There are some really big retailers that have relocated to North Avenue, so I think that's helping the area. We are excited to see what will come out of that development plan," said Romero.

“A lot of people see the opportunities that exist along the corridor here," said Kevin Bray.

Many community members say they are happy to see the city grow and they hope North Avenue doesn’t get left behind.

If you have suggestions for North Avenue or just want to stay informed on what is happening with the area, you can give Kevin Bray a call at 970-242-3647.



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I live there said on Sunday, Jun 24 at 12:47 PM

I'm curious as to what "really big retailers" have relocated to North Ave. The only thing I've seen that is new are the apartment buildings being built by Kmart and the distillery down by Walmart. It would be nice to have some businesses in town that the teenagers can work at and walk or bike to work instead of having to drive or take the bus to the mall to work.

Umberlee said on Saturday, Jun 23 at 10:13 PM

I have this fantasy that the old Eastgate City Market will get turned into a roller rink. Should have lots of tiled floors kids could skate over. When I was a kid we had Fun Junction, the Doo Zoo, the Roller Rink...now we have hugely overpriced places like Bananas where I can't even afford to take my kids. Would love to see some more family ventures instead of just more stores, stores, stores!

Anonymous said on Friday, Jun 22 at 11:45 AM

For every mexican,there is 30 welfare sucking white trash in that part of town, so yeah avoid the area.Take that in your rear pipe old snipe!!

Old Snipe said on Friday, Jun 22 at 8:43 AM

That is one area I avoid at all cost! It's where all the illegal mexicans hang out and pollute as they do everywhere else they go. Their 1st stop is usually DHS on 29 & North where they get the free handouts that the government gives them, then they worm their way thru it, spending most of it at walmart and then fueling their food businesses on Uncle Sam's ticket (food stamps). Sorry, didn't mean to go off on a tangent but that is what I've seen lately on North so I avoid it.

Funding said on Friday, Jun 22 at 5:09 AM

How about if the city kicks in $3,000,000 to jump start the effort?

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