What I thought...

   Since the beginning of the spring semester, I've been keeping tabs on the downtown area in Greeley and letting readers know what to expect there. I have written a variety of stories on the downtown life and have published only a few of them here. I've written stories on the music scene, the entertainment outside of music and the restaurant and bar life. The one that I published on this blog most recently was one about the common consumption area possibly coming to Greeley's downtown. 

   I learned that being on a beat means being in touch with it every minute. The job never stops and you have to always be informed. But I liked being one of the first people to know when things were about to happen and I think keeping myself involved is one of my strengths. More than once, I found myself downtown with friends when I found out about an upcoming event and I would think, “That would make a great story.” At the moment, I can't think of anything I didn't like about this beat. I chose it because I love everything about downtown areas in any city, and I was already very in touch with Greeley's. 

   The only thing I wish I had known before starting this beat is how large the official downtown area is. But now I know and the area being bigger than I thought has actually helped me because I have more to cover. I think the beat has been mostly a success and it gave me a realistic feeling of what it’s like to cover a beat.

Common consumption area could bring business downtown this summer

   Greeley may be the first in the state to take advantage of a bill passed by the Legislator last year that allows communities to designate areas for outdoor alcohol consumption.

   The Greeley “common consumption area” would revolve around the 9^th Street plaza, where many of the city’s bars and restaurants live.

   In order for the city to make this happen though, the Greeley City Council must approve an ordinance for a larger Entertainment District.

   Once the entertainment District is approved by city council, business owners in the area would be able to band together to form a “promotional association,” which would decide how to best move forward with the consumption area. They will still have to follow requirements set by state and city laws.

   Some guidelines for the possible consumption area include the use of 16 oz. disposable cups with the company’s name in 24-point font, an area with physical barriers such as streets, and members of the district would have to pay for security and maintenance.

   The Downtown Development Authority would be just one of the members on the self-governing council, the rest being business owners in the common consumption area.

   Even with all the effort that needs to go into making this happen, this summer would only be a trial run, leaving it open to public opinion in the next year.

   Alison Hamling, director of downtown experience for the Downtown Development Authority, was the one who brought the idea of a common consumption area to Greeley.

   She told the Greeley Tribune that the possibilities are endless, from retail stores that could benefit from the additional revenue, to members pooling together to get a band to play on the block.

Getting Started

I started this blog as an assignment for my capstone journalism class at the University of Northern Colorado. The purpose of it is to learn how to blog and to keep track of how I improve throughout the semester.

For this class I am also writing a beat, on downtown Greeley. So far, I'm really enjoying the beat and although I was nervous about choosing downtown as a beat, I've honestly loved it.

I'm interning at The (Greeley) Tribune and I have worked at UNC's student-run paper, The Mirror. Both of these have helped get me ready for the reality of a career in journalism. I’ve realized while the hours may be reasonably flexible, journalists must also be flexible and ready anytime to go out on a story.

I am a pretty strong writer, though I struggle with little parts of AP style sometimes. I'm quickly learning thanks to The Tribune and my classes, though.

The only blogging experience I have is from last semester for another class, but it was very helpful and I am certain I will like blogging again. I'm really not worried about much for this blogging assignment. I was nervous when we started blogging in my last class, but did well with it. I'm confident in my ability to do well again.