🌱 Art Installation For The Dead + Brownfield Assessment Grant

Hello again, Colorado Springs! Important update: You all, as readers, have made the Colorado Springs Daily so successful that it is my honor to announce the next stage of the newsletter. Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Colorado Springs Daily. Although I have loved getting to know this community, we want to pass the torch to someone truly local to write about Colorado Springs long term. So if you’re interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

First, today's weather:

Some sun, then clouds; cold. High: 26 Low: 11.

Here are the top three stories in Colorado Springs today:

1. The City of Colorado Springs has canceled a proposal request regarding a new operator of the Westside Community Center. A new path forward is being decided by the city's Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department. The proposal request was initially issued in Nov. 2020. (Press Release Desk)
2. A new mailbox art installation called a "Spirit Box" invites Colorado Springs' residents to write letters to the dead. The installation was made by artist Jasmine Dillavou with the intent to reconsider grief and how we let go of it. The mailbox will reportedly stay up throughout the month with the possibility of it remaining longer if the community finds it comforting. (Colorado Springs Gazette)
3. The Fountain Brownfield Coalition will hold a live virtual event to explore Colorado Springs' brownfield sites and share progress on the use of federal grants. Funding for the project has been provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with the intent to revitalize vacant properties, known as brownfields, within the Colorado Springs area. The meeting is to take place on Mar. 14 at 6:00 PM with attendees being asked to register online. (Press Release Desk)

From our sponsor:

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Today in Colorado Springs:

• Chipotle At Library 21c (9:15 AM)

From my notebook:

• The Colorado Springs Police Department shares its gratitude for Chief Niski's 33 years of service to the community. Chief Niski is retiring. (Facebook)
• Looking for a career that involves helping your community? The Colorado Springs Police Department is searching for applicants to join the force. Click to apply. (Facebook)
• The snow and frigid temperatures will continue in the Colorado Springs area into this next week. Click to see the full report issued by the US National Weather Service Pueblo Colorado. (Facebook)

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That's it for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Erica Zenn

About me: Erica Zenn is a Masters Student in Applied Psychology at the University of Southern California who originally hails from Chapel Hill, NC. With a bachelors degree from Cornell University, Erica is an expert verbal and written communicator who brings extensive experience in employee engagement and customer experience of companies. Erica is passionate about community building, and loves using her writing and communication skills to bring people together.