Eaton, Colorado’s main street had maintained the same look for several years. The sidewalks were thin, there were no trees, the parking spaces were cramped, and there was nothing to signify the history or area of downtown Eaton. However, construction has recently been finished on 1st Street, and it has given downtown a much more lively feel.
According to the Downtown Revitalization Plan, in the mid-1900s, Eaton was a mostly self-sufficient town. There were places to buy groceries, jewelry, clothes, furniture, farm equipment, gas, and basically anything else you could think of. There were also doctors, dentists, police, and firemen so that the health and safety of the people were prioritized while in town. There were many places to send letters, pay bills, get newspapers, and get insurance within the town as well. But, with the growing population that boomed in the early 2000s, the town’s businesses and streets had to grow as well. 1st Street couldn’t keep up and turned out to seem a little outdated and small by that time.
The plan states that the Eaton Revitalization Committee was formed in 2018, and came together in 2020 to discuss and suggest changes to the downtown area. They held meetings and invited the community to get involved in the planning process. They found that many wanted to see more flowers, trees, and other plants to give the street a prettier look. Many also wanted to see the sidewalks leveled and widened, as well as benches put along the road. Some had questions about whether or not this project would increase town taxes, but Ally Heid (29), the daughter of Mayor Pro-Tem Liz Heid, spoke on the issue. She said, “One of the biggest misconceptions is that it cost a lot of money to the taxpayers, but really the town utilized grants to offset the cost.”…