The BNA Annual Meeting, held Sunday October 6, was a success. We thank all who attended and participated. Attorney Nick Anesi gave an essential update on his work and communication with the City regarding the proposed roundabout at 15th & 3rd. In a nutshell: it is the City's intention to create of the Boulevard a "thoroughfare"- moving as much traffic as quickly as possible from Florida Road to College Drive and points beyond. Initial coordination for the Christmas Eve Luminaria display took place and co-chairs for the event were selected. The future of the BNA was discussed, with all present agreeing by the show of hands: the work of the organization is not done, and the need for it is greater than ever. Three new directors were elected to the Board: Libby Culver, Jenna Kade, and Nancy Mills. We welcome them and welcome our new members. The BNA hopes to continue to be of service to East Third Avenue and adjacent residential neighborhoods in downtown Durango.

Planning for the 2024 Christmas Eve Luminaria display is now underway. Friend of the BNA Joann Hards has offered to co-chair with last year's event coordinator Kristen Phillips. In June, the BNA issued an appeal and many contributed to help with the display's cost- typically it is the largest item in the BNA annual budget. We hope you will now step in to help: there are many ways to participate; click below to know how.

A potluck brunch was held in Mason Park Sunday September 8 to celebrate with and honor Maxine Peterson, Boulevard resident since 1972 and Durango’s first female mayor. The BNA was so pleased Maxine's four children, who she raised in Durango, with her husband Pete, could all attend as well.

With help from the City of Durango, the BNA has planted an oak tree in Maxine’s honor in the 900 block of the Boulevard median, on the east side. We hope to soon place a plaque to identify the tree for all time.
Photo: Russ Kimble, BNA

Are the brakes being applied to a proposed roundabout at the north end of of E. Third Avenue? From agenda for the City Council meeting on September 4th:
"City staff recommends that the MidTown Safety and Connectivity Project progress to final design... as a standalone project. This will allow further evaluation of the alternatives for the Florida/15th/3rd intersection on a separate timeline, and allow the critical safety and connectivity improvements to be made to the MidTown area."

Not in the near future, it seems. A meeting held June 26 was disappointing to neighbors who had hoped for progress towards a Neighborhood Parking Permit Program. A program was recommended in the City's 2022 Comprehensive Parking Management Plan. Some meeting attendees concluded it was poorly run; that information on successful residential parking permit programs in other cities was lacking; and that a requirement to have 50% or more residents in favor of a permit program is an unrealistic goal. Results of "Quick Polls" and a video recording of the meeting are available on the City's website.

October will mark forty years that East Third Avenue has been on the National Register of Historic Places. To commemorate, we are compiling a history on the process that got us there. Look for it in an upcoming Special Edition Newsletter. Sign up by clicking the button below.