Latest news with #AaronVega
CBS News
3 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Colorado neighborhood corridor is changing without losing culture
Aurora city leaders are pushing forward with plans to breathe new life into the East Colfax corridor, while keeping longtime residents and business owners at the table. Aurora City Council voted to move forward with creating a downtown development authority (DDA) for the East Colfax Avenue corridor. The proposal will go before voters in November, and, if approved, the DDA would provide funding for infrastructure, business support and community improvements. Aaron Vega, project manager for Aurora's library and cultural services, says the work already underway reflects a different approach than what some big cities have taken. "Economic development is scary when you're talking about neighborhoods where folks have had their businesses here for a long time," Vega said. "We've learned lessons from other places on how to do it correctly and make sure a lot of people get a seat at the table." Vega lives just blocks from East Colfax and calls the district the beating heart of Aurora. He says its diversity, art scene and food culture make it unique, and worth protecting as change comes. One major anchor is The People's Building, an arts hub the city transformed from an abandoned furniture store into a small theater and gallery space for local artists. There's currently work on display by artist, Tony Nguyen. The district also supports small businesses like Bahn & Butter and Manos Sagrados, which was recently awarded a city grant for its mission supporting BIPOC, femme, queer, and disabled artists. "There's a really strong community here whether it's food and beverage or arts and culture," Vega said. "We're changing the narrative about East Colfax by showing the incredible things already happening here." The neighborhood is also home to venues like the Aurora Fox Arts Center and MLK Library. The library is undergoing a $2.5 million renovation to double its space, expand youth areas, and add a new maker space for sewing, 3D printing and other creative tools. Ginger White Brunetti, Aurora's director of library and cultural services, says the MLK Library is more than just a place to check out books. "It's a place where you can search for and apply for a job, get help with your resume, or take part in programs that make people feel like they belong," Brunetti said. "Libraries are really the backbone of a community." The renovations, funded in part by federal dollars, will also support entrepreneurship by giving residents access to equipment that could launch small businesses. "We want families to feel safe here, to bring their kids, read a book, take a program, and feel like this is their library," Brunetti said. Until voters head to the polls, city leaders are asking residents to stay engaged, share their ideas and take part in shaping the future of one of Aurora's most storied corridors. Vega believes this is the first time in years in the district that everyone is really marching in step, including artists, business owners and city planners. Strategic plans for the library system, the arts district recertification and the DDA are all moving forward at once. "It feels like everything now is starting to point in the same direction," Vega said. "Nothing good happens fast, but, if we keep investing in the people and culture that make East Colfax special, we can make it better without losing what makes it unique."
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local organizations awarded $30k+ in grants by Carlos Vega Fund
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – Local organizations were awarded grants for their impact in the community. The Carlos Vega fund for social justice presented 19 organizations with grants Thursday night at the Wistariahurst Museum. This includes several local groups like the Holyoke Health Center and the Indian Orchard Citizens Council. In their 14th year of funding, the Vega Fund was able to gather more than $30,000 in grants. 'This is the biggest granting we've ever done, and the board realized the sort of time we're in and what's happening federally and the orgs that we want to support, and we want to support as many as we can,' says Advisory board member Aaron Vega. Coming up in the fall, the Carlos Vega Fund will host a fundraiser and present their annual social justice award. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Holyoke plans downtown street upgrades for safety
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – Improvements could soon be made to city streets in downtown Holyoke. The city held an informational meeting at the Nueva Esperanza Mercado on Wednesday evening. City officials gave residents updates on the proposed improvements and received public feedback, which would be on Main Street between South Canal and Mosher Streets. Improvements would include rehabilitation of existing pavement, reconstruction of sidewalks, addition of bicycle accommodations, improved pedestrian crossings, and traffic signal upgrades. Director of Planning and Economic Development Aaron Vega told 22News, 'Public safety is really important, the existing conditions are rough. This is an area that hasn't had investment in it for a long time, so it's very overdue. It's to be up to par with the new standards for what complete streets should be.' The project has been submitted to MassDOT for inclusion in the state's transportation improvement program. If approved, it could allow for full federal funding of the construction costs of the project. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Free shuttle service to Holyoke St. Patrick's weekend activities
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – To help visitors get in and out of Holyoke quickly and safely during the St. Patrick's weekend celebrations, the city of Holyoke and the Tourism Advisory Committee partnered with MGM Springfield to offer a free shuttle bus service to and from Holyoke. Visitors can park for free at the MGM casino parking garage in Springfield and catch a shuttle at MGM Way with drop-off at the Holyoke City Hall. Marshal Mania kickoff party raises funds for 72nd Holyoke Saint Patrick's Parade On March 22 and 23, the buses will run on a loop every thirty minutes from MGM and Holyoke City Hall. 11:00 a.m.: First shuttle leaves MGM Casino for Holyoke City Hall 4:30 p.m. (4:45 p.m. on Sunday): Last shuttle leaves City Hall for MGM Casino Funding for the shuttle was made possible from the Mass Gaming Mitigation Grant, the OPED team and Tourism Advisory Committee. 'We're excited to offer this service once again,' said Aaron Vega, Director of Planning and Economic Development. 'It's a great partnership with MGM, and of course the amazing Parade Committee, to ensure the weekend is filled with celebration and is safe for all involved.' More information about things to see and do in Holyoke can be found at Explore Holyoke. Updated information on the Holyoke St. Patrick's weekend is at the Holyoke St. Patrick's Committee website. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Holyoke plans new signs to improve downtown navigation
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – The City of Holyoke is working to update its city-owned signs. This is the city's latest effort to make downtown easier to navigate for residents and visitors. The 'Way-Finding Signage Plan' initiative is being spearheaded by the City's Office of Planning and Economic Development. They held a meeting Wednesday night with residents to discuss the current signage and hear input on improvements to navigating downtown, while still keeping the character of the community. Director of The Office of Planning and Development Aaron Vega told 22News, 'As we start to brand a lot of downtown Holyoke with the downtown business district and the historical nature of downtown. We're trying to figure out how to market this. How do we make it a place that people want to come to but also the businesses and the people that live down here can identify with what's going on down here.' A survey is available for residents' input on the initiative. A second public meeting will be held to present the proposed sign designs and overall strategy. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
