Mapleton Home Association

Harvest Party photos!

2008-10-15T18:56:00.004-06:00

Juliette and Enzo setting up for the party. . .

The cake . . .

Residents come together for a photo. . .

Serena sings a song . . .

Enzo refuses to let the bird in his mouth. . .

Site Committee Chair Erin planned this party with her
committee.

Up Comming Mapleton Events

2008-09-01T15:37:00.003-06:00

Quarterly Community Meeting at the Unity Church (Folsom and Valmont).

Sunday September 6th at 6PM.

This is a forum for all Mapleton residents to come together and learn about what the MHA has been up to and to discuss anything of concern.

____________________________________________________________________

Community Harvest Party!

Saturday September 27th at 4PM at the Wash House.

Music, food, family, community, and more!

2008-07-10T23:07:00.001-06:00

Haikutimes issue #143 has been issued and focuses primarily on the Mapleton Mobile Home Park. Haiku by: Krista Morien, Robert Power, Patrick Lynn, Jonathan Machen and David Harper. Click on the link or the picture to see the issue -

Tube to Work Day!??

2008-07-09T19:53:00.003-06:00

I get an email now and then from Boulder's Best Organics http://www.bouldersbestorganics.com/about_us.html
and this was at the tail end of the email titled "Only in Boulder"

It really made me laugh!! I've thought about visiting neighbors via the water behind my house!!

"Tube To Work Day

Time for work... Got my keys and phone... Got my tube and helmet... Wait, what?!

Putting the alternate in alternate transportation, Jeff Kagan and Andy Gruel one-upped this year's Bike to Work Month. The Boulder Creek, averaging a chilly 45 degrees all summer, is often packed with fun-loving tubers. But these guys had it all to themselves as they floated to work early one June day, merrily, merrily, merrily."

Robert Power, surfing the internet in Mapleton

2008-07-02T21:37:00.001-06:00

Robert Power, Mapleton Mobile Home Park
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku

Robert moved into Mapleton Mobile home park a few years ago and has since become a lively member of the community, involved not only in the management of the non-profit homeowner's association, but in inspiring his fellow residents to grow gardens, taking a cue from master gardener-in-residence Gene Langlois.

Robert has also been instrumental in getting minutes from the home association meetings posted. The latest minutes can be found at http://www.colorado-housing.net/thistle/mha/minutes_2008_march_24.html

Mapleton Residents out for a stroll

2008-06-24T12:24:00.002-06:00

A couple of cuties were born recently.

This morning in the empty lot next to me I found them hopping like bunnies!

2008-06-12T10:20:00.001-06:00

From Jyoti, a concerned Mapleton Resident:

"I'm worried about the new electric lines that were just installed in our park, and who might have okayed Xcel to also run continuous wifi in with the electricity, so that the whole park will be one big micro wave...it causes brain tumors...France has taken it back out of it's cities and libraries...I'm not talking about DSL and broadband for computers...this is wired into each home now, here in the park...Germany will not let it into it's nation...this concept of wiring everyone's homes...
The people in the US are into the money this will make...
I just called Xcel and talked to someone about my address...and how I didn't authorize this...and was my address in this new Smart City Grid that Boulder sold out for...to be the test city in the nation...At Xcel they are so thrilled and excited about this...and sure enough, there's my address and the whole park...this new wiring wired us into living in a micro wave as soon as it's hooked up..."

Improvement Requests are easy to do!

2008-06-10T10:27:00.003-06:00

Are you thinking about improving your home or lot soon? Please read the excerpt below from our main website. Note: improvement requests are being reviewed and approved or denied within a few weeks time.

Here are some simple things to keep in mind about making improvements to your home and lot space. This information is also included in our Rules and Regulations. Although we individually own our homes, we live in a collective space. Any improvements or additions to our mobile homes or lot spaces must meet the guidelines established by our resident-operated management committee. To be more precise, examples of permanent changes are:
Upgrades of home
Removal of home
Adding new homes
Permits for sheds and outbuildings
Fences
Large plantings
Patio/porch enclosures
Driveways
Parking pads

If you have a project that includes any of the above, the first step is getting an Improvement Request Form from - you can download and print the form from our website or call Hast Management Company, (303) 444-7575, who will provide you with a hard copy.

Submit this form to Julie, our resident manager located at lot #181, and include with it a copy of your building permit from the City of Boulder (if one is necessary) and a detailed site drawing of what you would like to do. While it will streamline the process to submit all documents at once, remember that even if the City of Boulder grants a building permit, your project might be denied by the management committee.

Why is that?
The management committee has the final say on projects because, according to the constraints of the Site Plan established by Thistle Community Housing for our park, no more than 50% of the remaining space on your lot may be built on. You can find out what space is left for you to build on by requesting a picture of your individual lot from Thistle. (Jim Harrington can provide this information: 303-443-0007, ext. 117) The management committee will also be looking to see if your project impedes your neighbor's access, emergency or otherwise, to his or her home, or if it encroaches on any other easements, such as the Community Ditch. We all need to be able to have access to our homes, even on our neighbor's side, so the general rule of thumb is that a parallel space needs to be clear extending alongside your house and your neighbor's lot space, at a width of four feet. Some homes have emergency exits on the side of their neighbor's lawn, and access to this may not be blocked.

Spring Cleaning!

2008-05-16T13:26:00.001-06:00

We're cleaning up! The MHA has approved the removal of your junk from the curb at no additional charge to you. Bring your unwanted junk to the curb in front of your home on Saturday May 31st and Saturday June 7th by 9AM and 1-800-GOT-JUNK? will be by to help you load it into the truck and dispose of the items at no charge to you personally. This will make cleaning up your yard a breeze; you won't need to haul it all the way to a dumpster - just get it to the curb. If you can't get it to the curb on your own try asking a neighbor for help. This is the ideal way to comply with the Mapleton Rules and Regulations and to get your yard ready for the awesome summer that's quickly approaching!

Yard Clean-Up and RECYCLING!

2008-05-09T14:16:00.004-06:00

Did you know there is a big blue dumpster on the north side of our park that is just for recycling? Our park manager Julie asks that we utilize this free disposal! Don't clog up the smaller brown paper bins with bulky cardboard and mass amounts of recylcables please!

Meet the new MHA Board

2008-05-09T14:01:00.004-06:00

On April 27th at the Quarterly Meeting residents voted in a new MHA board. All positions were available except for President.

Introducing from left to right: Nick Tamm (Treasurer), Krista Morien (Secretary), Robert Powers (Management Committee Chair), Paul Keaton (President), Lilly Wallace (Vice President), Erin Rice (Site Committee Chair).

Both the Management Committee and Site Committee have seats available; if you are interested in joining please see the corresponding Chair person!

Ohhh...I love living in this park...

2008-04-23T15:07:00.002-06:00

Richard enjoying the sun
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku

There are fresh green shoots popping out of my yard!

2008-03-20T12:46:00.004-06:00

Long time no blog! Spring is on the way and folks are stepping out of their homes and reuniting with neighbors.

There’s a lot of change in the air: the seasons are changing, the infrastructure is progressing, and the MHA board has several positions opening up in April. If you are interested in being a part of the board or on the MHA Management Committee contact anyone currently on the board for more details! Elections will be held at the end of April.

The Trailer Wrap is finished and ready to be purchased. If you know anyone who may be interested in the fabulous designer home have them contact Thistle.

Are you wondering what to do with your “fresh slate” yard after the infrastructure is complete? Well, MMHP has formed a Garden Club! We currently meet once a month to discuss our yards and gardens, the possibility of having community gardens this year, and other things that community oriented people talk about. We buy materials in bulk and help one another with preparing our gardens for the coming year. We also have a wonderful tradition of feeding one another with a pre-meeting potluck. Man there’s some good cooks in our neighborhood! To find out when and where the next meeting is being held contact Robert at mha@powerlisteningcenter.com

The MMHP is also forming a Welcome Wagon to welcome and introduce new residents to the park. The Mobil-izer will contain more details about how you can be a part of the welcoming process.

Stay tuned for updates and look for the new MMHP calendar that will be up and running soon!

If you want to post on the blog please contact Lilly at mhavp.lilly@gmail.com

TrailerWrap Open House, 09-21-07

2007-09-27T15:45:00.001-06:00

TrailerWrap Open House, 09-21-07
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku

Note: The following is an article titled: Trailer trash becomes upscale pad
By Tom McGhee, Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Launched: 09/22/2007 11:32:34 AM MDT

CU faculty and design students have converted a beat-up trailer that was headed for the dump into living quarters that would turn a LoDo loft owner's head.

A line of windows beneath the raised roof, paneling and floor boards give the interior a bright and cheery look. The design is open and loft-like with recessed lighting and a large exterior room is reminiscent of a screened porch.

"During the day you don't have to turn the lights on at all," said Peter Schneider, professor of architecture and associate dean of academic affairs at UC's College of Architecture and Planning in Boulder.

"It shows what you can do with the humble trailer, particularly when they get downgraded and need work."

The project, christened "TrailerWrap,"
was an attempt to increase the energy efficiency and livability of the mobile home. Icynene, a high-rated spray foam insulation and state-of-the-art double paned windows were used to keep heat in and cold out.

Recyled blue jeans were also used as insulation.

The project is a collaboration between Thistle Community Housing, the cooperative Mapleton Home Park Owner's Association, CU's College of Architecture and Planning and the Children, Youth and Environments Center for Research and Design.

Thistle Community Housing contributed $20,000 toward the project, and UC another $24,000.

The Mapleton Home Park, a cooperative set up to help provide affordable housing in Boulder, will sell the trailer, said Schneider. The proceeds will go to Thistle and UC to reimburse them for the money they put into the project.

Mapleton will then charge whoever moves in to rent the land on which it sits.

The asking price, about $50,000, is higher than that paid for other homes in the park, most of which are old, said Jonathan Machen, former Mapleton board member. He sold his recently for about $14,500.

"But there are homes across the street for a couple of hundred thousand dollars and this is built like a home," Machen said.

Staff writer Tom McGhee can be reached at 303-954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com.

Progress on utilities upgrades temporarily halts, MUD overwhelms

2007-02-22T13:38:00.001-07:00

Oversized new utility poles at Mapleton
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Photo: a home in Mapleton Hollow with one of the new "monster" utility pannels installed.

MUD has been on everyone's mind since the infrastructure upgrades began in Mapleton Hollow this fall. To be sure, the promise of once-again paved streets and problem-free water, electrical, telephone and cable services gives everyone in the park something to look forward to, but at the present moment, there's no denying it: the road conditions, made waterlogged by the recent snows, suck. One gripe residents have as well, (not withstanding their relief and gratitude to have basic services) are the size of the utility meters: not two feet high, as was promised, but over five feet; large enough to require decoration and to become "objects of derision".

A meeting was recently held at Thistle Community housing on February 17 to address the state of the upgrades as well as residents' mud concerns.

Present at the meeting were Jim Harrington of Thistle, Special Projects manager; Chris Doyle, infrastructure project coordinator, and many members of the MHA. At least 30 people crowded Thistle's meeting room to listen to Chris and Jim outline the next phase of infrastructure, and especially what Thistle was going to do to help make conditions better for park residents.

As many people in the park are aware, infrastructure work suddenly stopped in the middle of February due to funding issues, right-of-way issues with the Farmers' ditch, as well as impossibly cold conditions making trenching difficult.

Chris Doyle outlined that before work began on any other section of the park, the current phases 1 and 2, roads with their southernmost entrances on Mapleton and Folsom, would have to be fully completed, including paved. Part of the problem is that the frost is so deep it is impossible to dig water and sewer lines in a cost-effective manner. Chris added that Individual gas and utilities hookups to homes 1-35B would continue during the frosty season.

The decision to halt the infrastructure work came after a review of the project's finances revealed ballooning costs due to the complications of digging in frozen ground, as well as the cost of extra copper piping (water lines installed around existing trees) for at least 19 homes. Another issue that needed to be resolved was the proper crafting of legal agreements between Thistle Community Housing and the ditch company (Name??) who owns water rights for the Farmers' Ditch that runs through the park. Some of the park's water mains are routed directly under the ditch.

The issue foremost on residents' minds, however, was the inconvenience caused by the mud, as well as having safe access from their homes to their cars and the city streets. One resident, who has problems walking, reported not being able to leave her house for fear of getting trapped in the deep mud. Others have found their cars stuck, boots sucked off, and still more city residents have been complaining that the mud migrates out to the pavement on Mapleton and Folsom, causing problems. Light poles have been installed in the muddy streets, though there were some outages; and low water pressure to some residents' homes has been an issue.

Chris took suggestions about how to make the mud live-able, as well as proposing that an immediate gravel sidewalk be placed on the west side of the roadway in phases one and two. He also said he would order the replacement of the pedestrian bridge linking the central part of the park with the muddy sections, giving residents an alternate way to walk out of the mess.

The idea of placing temporary and non-permanent barriers at the street entrances announcing "local traffic only" was proposed as a way of reducing mud. Fewer cars traveling over the mud would mitigate the "churning" effect of mud and snow, Chris stated. He did not know if spreading straw over the mud would change anything, as the mud has been swallowing up everything in sight, returning to a soggy, gooey mass with foot-high tire trenches after every snowfall.

The MHA and Thistle are in conversation with the City of Boulder, the State Division of Housing and the Mapleton Home Association to meet the funding shortfall that plagues the project gap.

On February 15, Aaron Miripol, director of Thistle Community Housing, Jim Harrington, Chris Doyle and Kurt Bischoff of the MHA did a walk-through of the park with John Pollak, head of the City of Boulder's division of housing. They discussed the importance of the Mapleton Infrastructure. It was agreed that both the South side and North sides of the park needed to be completed in a timely manner and that all parties should go forward with getting costing and additional Grants for Federal, State and COB to finish both sides of the park. (Currently, there had been plans to complete the north side of the park in several years' time, when enough money had been saved).

Mapleton Mobile Home Park pounded in snow again

2007-01-05T22:59:00.001-07:00

Snow again
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Paige Wild cleans off her car in Mapleton after snows pounded the park for the third storm in a row. If it's any consolation, the snow covers up the mud that has been left by the utility infrastructure upgrades.

Mobile home taxes rise as values fall

2006-12-31T09:50:00.000-07:00

Serena's Mailbox, Mapleton Mobile Home Park
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Climbing assessments hit less-affluent home owners
By Ryan Morgan
Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Property tax bills for Boulder County's mobile home owners have been going up, but some officials wonder if it makes sense to tax some of the community's lowest-income residents at all.

Boulder County Treasurer Bob Hullinghorst said the results of a recent tax lien sale say it all.

The county offered to sell 100 liens on mobile homes whose buyers hadn't paid their tax bills. Buyers are allowed to take possession of the mobile homes if the lien isn't paid within a year.

But Hullinghorst said he found only 19 buyers for those liens, most of which were well under $100.

"That's mostly because they believe that the other 81 weren't even worth it," he said. "It wouldn't even be worth taking title to the trailer, because it's such a piece of junk."

Hullinghorst said it doesn't make sense that mobile home owners' assessments are on the rise when their properties obviously aren't rising in value. And that's especially true considering people who live in mobile homes aren't the county's most affluent residents, he said.

Fifty-five percent of the 3,700 mobile home owners in Boulder County saw their assessments rise in 2005. For those homeowners, the average hike in their tax bill was 60 percent, and dozens saw their bills double or even triple.

The remaining 45 percent saw their assessments stay the same or decline. The assessments that declined went down by an average of 23 percent.

Boulder County Assessor Cindy Domenico said the county re-evaluates property every two years. In 2004, her office carefully examined market values for mobile homes in specific locations in the county, she said.

"Our prior values, which we actually have been carrying for a while, were out of sync with the market," Domenico said. "What we did was correct those values on a countywide basis to more accurately reflect what the market was telling us."

Domenico said her office sent mailings to residents to warn them their values might be changing, and sent those materials out in both English and Spanish.

She said they had complaints from 150 residents. With the exception of five cases, she said, "those were reviewed and adjusted to their satisfaction." The remaining cases went to the county's Board of Adjustment.

"We're human and we do make mistakes. We try to do our best to remedy that when we discover it," she said. "There are sometimes issues with properties we can't agree on."

Adams County Treasurer John Lefebvre said counties spend more time and money than it's worth to try to collect tax bills for mobile home owners, some of which are $20 a year and less.

"It's an interesting and delicate situation. These folks, because they are very poor, can ill afford even a small tax," he said. "There are a number of them that are below fifty bucks. The sheriff will go slap the lien up on the mobile home, but he'll charge us $35 to go do that. It's another $20 to advertise it, and we're at $55 bucks right there. It's the county who's out of pocket."

He's trying to find a sponsor for state legislation that would change the way mobile homes are assessed. Instead of treating them like real estate, the new policy would treat them like cars that depreciate in value. Once mobile homes were worth less than $2,500, they wouldn't be taxed.

He said it doesn't make sense to spend valuable time and money to extract such small sums from people who are least able to pay it.

"You get these people who are fairly poor, a lot of them are on fixed incomes, and this was going to be their opportunity to have a fairly low-cost way to live, and we're coming in and making somewhat arbitrary decisions about what those mobile homes are worth," he said.

Contact Camera Staff Writer Ryan Morgan at (303) 473-1333 or morganr@dailycamera.com

Construction, Learning Curve; Plumbers

2006-12-20T08:30:00.000-07:00

Mapleton Mobile Home Park Utility Upgrades, Nov 06
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

By Don McKee:
Today, Wednesday, 20 Dec 2006, at 7 am, the snow and the plumbers arrived at Mapleton Hollow. Each stage of the construction will bring occasional personal inconveniences to each resident. Everyone is to be commended for their cooperation and positive attitudes to date.

As of this moment (08:30 am, 20 Dec 2006), the plumbers are working under unit-01.

The plumbers (Rob is the crew-chief) will do just as Terry and the Twin Peaks excavation crew did, and begin their learning process at the southerly end of Mapleton Hollow... with numero uno. The prime-contractor (Wyatt) and the Twin Peaks crew are assisting, as necessary. All concerned will do their best to seal access portals on every home each evening, to keep the wandering critters out. Homeowners must be acutely aware that pets are at risk during this process. Extra precautions are advised.

REMINDER; There will be periods of a few hours when the water and sewer MUST NOT BE USED. Each resident will be personally notified, and is asked to be prepared. During these brief periods, no toilets may be flushed, no bathing, no laundry, etc.

As they proceed northward, the plumber's progress will accelerate as they learn more-and-more about working under trailer-homes. Because of the low head-room under some of the homes, this job will NOT be easy. The plumbers will do whatever is necessary, working in cold winter weather, to protect the domestic water pipes from freezing during the installation process. They will also install and connect electrical "heat-tape" and insulation on each exposed water pipe before moving on to the next trailer.

Thanks to Jim Harrington (TCH), each resident will be kept informed regarding when the new pipes are to be connected to the new underground utility lines. How nice it is that the residents are cooperative and compassionate as these nice workers do their various jobs. For instance, providing temporary access to electrical power is a courtesy that the workers certainly appreciate.

The electricians and others will follow, in turn. Each and every worker deserves the utmost in cooperation.

For those who reside near the area where the pedestrian bridge is normally installed to cross the Farmer's Irrigation Ditch, the new sewer pipe will be encased in concrete on Thursday, 21 Dec 2006. weather permitting. A few days later, the excavated area will be filled-in a continuing dig-and-fill process, as each piece of the new utility-web is installed.

Personal safety is paramount; please stay away from the excavated areas.

Many thanks to Jim Harrington of Thistle (TCH) for the ongoing, very useful communications.

Utility work generates mud and speed complaints

2006-12-19T22:45:00.000-07:00

Jim Harrington overseeing utility upgrades
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

(note: this entry composed by Mr. Don McKee)

PIcture: Jim Harrington on site at Mapleton during utility upgrades.

Rocky Milano, the City of Boulder Inspector for the Mapleton Hollow infrastructure construction job, received many complaints from City of Boulder residents regarding the messy-slippery mud accumulating on the Mapleton Avenue blacktop. In particular, bicyclists passing by on Mapleton Avenue felt that they were unnecessarily endangered.

Mr. Milano instructed the Twin Peaks crew to use manual-labor (hand-shovels) to first clean the city roadway, and then install a "mud-removal-trap" to clean the larger clumps from the tires of all vehicles leaving the construction area. Milano specifically directed the crew to lightly (8" deep) excavate a small area in the main-entry driveway near Mapleton Avenue and replace the dirt with 2-inch diameter loose rocks. This is a recommended mitigation approach in such cases.

This "mud-removal-trap" reduced the "tracking" of mud onto the city streets as the clumps were rubbed-off the tires by the frictional contact with the loose rocks. Those residents with small-tired vehicles will find this to be a nuisance, and may "get stuck" if vehicle momentum is insufficient.

By its very nature, it is dangerous to drive a private motor-vehicle or bicycle into a construction area. Trailer-park residents cannot expect to have ready-easy access to their homes by personal motor-vehicles every evening, and cannot expect to drive into the construction zone (dangerous, restricted area) during the work-day.

Cooperative and gracious attitudes will be helpful to everyone. In this regard, Mr. James Harrington has kindly posted two voluntary 5 MPH speed-limit signs to reduce the risk of personal-injury accidents, and to reduce the messy dust-dirt that is stirred up when vehicles move through at the old posted speed limit. When considerate residents who are passing-through divert and go out of their way to use other driveways to avoid the construction area, everyone is benefitted.

Infrastructure work goes into high gear

2006-11-07T21:37:00.000-07:00

Infrastructure at Mapleton Mobile home park- week of Nov 6
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

This photo: an evening shot of workers in the fading hours of visible light, rushing to get the day's trenches covered so drivers may come back in. Work has been progressing steadily and water and sewer lines have been installed from the low point of the park to the first juncture in the SE corner of the park. Parking issues seem minimal at this time.

MHA infrastructure continues

2006-10-31T22:39:00.000-07:00

MHA infrastructure begins
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

The asphalt started disappearing on a sunny day in mid-October, 2006, marking the start of major infrastructure renovations in Mapleton Hollow. Phase One includes dismantling roads and installing new electrical and plumbing connections in the SE area of the park.

Jim Harrington, Special projects coordinator for Thistle Community Housing, writes this about the next phase of infrastructure improvements:

Work in the Mapleton Mobile home Park will begin again Wednesday morning November 1st at 8 am. People in phase 1 construction should feel free to park their cars in front of their homes until Wednesday morning. Thanks for all your help.

Infrastructure work begins!

2006-10-19T13:16:00.000-06:00

Old Electrical pedistal, Mapleton Hollow
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Good news. Infrastructure work begins Monday October 23 at 7am.

Roads and Sidewalks in front of homes 1 through 7 and homes 11 through 21 will be removed. All cars will need to be moved from streets in front of homes 1 thru 7 and homes 11 thru 21 to other locations. Cars not moved by 7am October 23 will need to be towed.

If you have any questions about the infrastructure, please call Jim Harrington Special Projects Coordinator at Thistle Community Housing, 303.443.0007 ext 117.

In case of emergency, call Cell phone:
303.641.6152

Repairing upper road in Mapleton

2006-10-10T09:20:00.000-06:00

Repairing upper road in Mapleton
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Mobile Maintenance was hired to repair the road in Mapleton that parallels, and is adjacent to, Folsom Avenue. The asphalt in this area repeatedly buckles and folds due to the heavy trash trucks who pick up bins in this area. We'll see how long this reconstruction lasts.

Jim Harrington addresses Mapleton meeting on infrastructure

2006-10-04T10:56:00.000-06:00

Jim Harrington addresses Mapleton meeting on infrastructure
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Jim Harrington addresses residents from the Mapleton Mobile Home park on Sunday, October 1, to discuss the upcoming infrastructure improvements. Wyatt Construction was on hand to outline plans for electrical lines to be run down the side of each house, keeping water and sewer in the front.

It was noted that the contractors have spent over a year working with the city of Boulder, discussing the technical specifications of the work, the issue of the trees and to what extent the trees can be saved while keeping to city code. Another group that has some clout in how the work turns out is the ditch company.

Several residents, noting the expense of removing trees, mentioning previous agreements about combining lines to save trees, wondered again why the lines could not be combined in the center of each home, saving money and protecting trees. Many homes that were 30+ years old have such primitive electrical boxes that it would not require more than a type of extension cord to reach the box from the front of the home, instead of digging a trench down the side of the house.

The contractors also plan to use the existing gas lines, raising concerns from the chair of the management committee, who noted that there currently are below-ground leaks, indicating that the system is at a point of critical failure.

Hose bibs were not part of the plans for the new water lines, giving some residents concern that watering their lawns and gardens would be an issue.

Each segment of the construction for a particular area of the park is likely to take about 5 weeks, during which time residents can expect to see the asphalt torn up outside their homes, with an impact on parking.

The chair of the management committee asked if there were any plans in place to mitigate rodents entering homes during the time that the skirting was removed from the homes. There was no plan.

In response to criticism of the current plan, one of the contractors mentioned that they would be working on a case-by-case basis for each of the homes, and agreed to re-consider the plan of action for either combining the water and electrical trenches or saving more trees.

Several residents in the north side of the park wondered when the electrical and gas would be installed for their homes. There is not enough money now to complete that work, which is expected to run at $350,000 or $400,000.

Jim Harrington of Thistle is the residents liaison for all problems concerning the construction. If residents have a complaint or notice something that needs to be done he can be contacted 24/7 at 303-641-6152

September 2006 Mapleton Mobile-izer, the quarterly newsletter of the MHA

2006-09-27T12:42:00.000-06:00

Marking the trees for removal
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Drexel Barrell engineers hold a schematic, in color, of vegetation that presents a problem to the upcoming infrastructure. Read below for the letter of explanation about the blue and red tree markings. Also included: the most recent Mobile-izer, Volume 11.3, September 2006, edited by Colette Roy.

Volume 11.3

September 2006

Newsletter of the Mapleton Home Association [MHA]

There will be two community meetings focused on providing blue project updates and an opportunity to ask questions about the upcoming Infrastructure. They both will be held at Unity Church at the corner of Folsom and Valmont:

Sunday October Ist 4-6pm
Monday October 9th 7-9pm

If you have any questions about the infrastructure, please call Jim Harrington, special projects coordinator at Thistle, 303.443.0007 ext. 117. For specific tree questions, please call Matthew Weisbrod, Land surveyor, 303.442.4338

INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE: Trees and shrubs at risk:

Included with this special edition of the Mobile-izer is a letter from the engineering company, Drexe], Brarrell &Co. whom is employed by Thistle and MHA to help design and execute the upcoming Infrastructure work plan. The letter focuses on one of the first steps in readying our property for the future work of upgrading all our utility services. That being, the need to remove certain trees around the park for reasons of safety, digging for existing sewer lines, installing new ones, utilizing backhoes to reach areas which will need to be dug up, etc. Drexel explains in the letter that they will soon be walking the property determining which trees and shrubs are at risk of being cut down. If and when a tree is marked for risk, the final determination will be made by the engineering and construction companies after consulting with the Arborist. The arborist will help determine the survivability of the tree due to the root structure being damaged by digging and such. Currently, it looks like there will be approximately 40 trees that will be taken down, but that number could go up or down depending on many circumstances. More will be understood once the work finally begins and the construction company has a better sense of the work at hand.

Please take a moment to read through the letter and see how they will be marking the trees at risk.
They will also be creating additional markings on sidewalks (only on the South side of the park at this point in time) indicating where they will need complete access to the front panel of your mobile home. This area thus needs to be cleared of all flora, a art shrubs, etc, so the front skirting can be removed easily.
It will be helpful for us all to start the acceptance process that our landscape will be changing to allow for the upgrades to occur.

DREXEL BARRELL LETTER
Drexel, Barrell and CO. 14 September 2006
Re: Trees-at-Risk Marking Activities Mapleton Mobile Home Park Utility Improvements Project Boulder, Colorado

Dear Resident:

On behalf of our client, Thistle. Community Housing, we will have staff on site to mark trees-at-risk due to the Utility Improvements Project for the Mapleton Mobile Home Park.

Drexel, Barrell & Co. has had the pleasure of being a part of the design team involved in the Utility Improvement - Project. Drexel, Barrell & Co. has provided surveying and engineering services to the project and will continue to provide support through the construction process.

The project will consist of upgrading the Park's" water, sanitary sewer, electric, and natural gas utilities. In order to provide a safe park environment, an effective utility system, and to comply with City code regulations some existing trees will need to be removed. Significant efforts were made, by design modifications and code variance requests with the City, to save as many trees as possible. Additionally, the contractor will work du(ing construction to save as many trees as possible. In order to assist the residents of the park in understanding the scope of the affected trees, Thistle Community Housing has requested that we physically mark the trees-at-risk.

DuCing the next few weeks Drexel, Barrell & Co. personnel will be on site to mark these trees. Trees-at-risk due to the water and sewer improvements, as well as the electric and gas improvements, will be marked with a red or blue dot on the street side of the tree. Additional red and blue flagging will also be used to mark trees-at-risk. The red marker indicates that the tree will most likely have to be removed. The blue marking will indicate that there is a possibility that the tree will have to removed. The current marking activity schedule is:

Week of 18th Mail Notification Letter
Week of 25fh Mark trees on site

There is a possibility that when marking some trees may not get marked or mis-marked. These marking are for the residents of Mapleton Mobile Home Park to get an idea of the trees-at-risk. The contractor will not be using the marked trees as the trees to be removed. The contractor will have and use an official list when removing trees.

Please feel free to speak with any of our staff while they are on site. However, please note that Thistle Community Housing or Drexel, Barrell & Co. office staff will better be able to answer any detailed questions you may have regarding the project. Please feel free to contact the following individuals with any questions regarding this project:

Jim Harrington Thistle Community Housing 303-443-0007 x.1 17

Matt Weisbrod Drexel, Barrel] & Co. 303-442-4338
Thank you for your continued support of this project and we look forward to continuing our support of this neighborhood.

Respectfully,
Drexel, Barrel & Co.

Mark A. Anderson, P.E. Project Manager

INFRASTRUCTURE SEQUENCING
The sequence of the infrastructure is as such, it will begin at the Mapleton Entrance at lot #1 which is the lowest point in the park and has the oldest sewer lines. They will then work their way up through that row. Due to gravity we want to start at the lowest point. The rest of the South Side (South of Goose Creek) will follow as this is the older part of the Park and is experiencing the most amount of sewage backup. It appears that the last row to be worked on is the North East row.

Currently, the estimated amount of time for the whole project is undetermined, yet again, as the work begins, there will be a better sense of how long the work will take and when we can expect completion. We will have two resident meetings before Infrastructure work begins. If you have questions, please come and ask them.

A LONG TERM RESIDENT'S OPINION ON THE UPCOMING INFRASTRUCTURE

More than fifty years ago, the Nuttalls had a vision for Mapleton Mobile Home Park. Through hard work they made it happen. They put in the infrastructure roads, water, sewer, and electric - themselves. Fifty years later, that infrastructure is showing the effects of age. Water pressure is low; the sewer system is hopelessly in need of replacement; electrical is outdated and not even near modem day code for homes; and the roads are pot holed and buckling. Finally, after months of negotiating and working for permits: infrastructure is coming. The plan is to start from the bottom of the system at the Mapleton entrance to the top of the system on the North side, rebuilding water, sewer, electrical and the roads as we go. imagine, good water pressure, 100 amp service to your home; a sewer system that doesn't need rotor rooting every month as well as flat, clean roads that drain properly. Even though we're starting at the South end and working North, many improvements on the South end will help the North - specifically sewer and water. The North part of the park is 12 years younger than the South. With improved sewer in the South, the sewer lines in the North, which are connected to the South will then run better. Also, new water lines in the South will increase water pressure in the North because of the way the water lines are looped together. This is a great day for Mapleton Park. A new improved infrastructure will allow home owners to bring in new homes. -Mark Reeder

"A new improved infrastructure will allow home owners to bring in new homes" - Mark Reeder

BLOCK PARTY A SUCCESS!
Thanks You Serena and Juliette!! Your efforts to create a fun, engaging, and inclusive block party is very appreciated by all of us. The festivities, the music, and the hula-hooping was a great way to celebrate MMHP and all it's residents.
Thanks everyone who helped make this event possible with the donation of time, food, objects and incredible talent! Thanks again Serena and Juliette.

The Mapleton Home Association
Executive Board

Paul Keaton President.
303-939-8140

Steve Gaines Vice President.
303-449-1094

Keith Ainsworth Treasurer.
303 440-7721

Debbie Feustel Mgmt Chair
303-247-0658

Management Ccommittee

Alex Wilson
303-447-8508

Gene Langlois
303-444-4988

Mamud Kabir
303-443-8029

Site Committee

Kurt Bischoff

Attorneys Dennis R.Frohlich
Susan Perkins

Residents in Utah community facing ouster

2006-09-27T08:48:00.000-06:00

Gene Langlois in his garden, August 2006
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

I thought this was a good example of what the residents of Mapleton Hollow, A.K.A. Mapleton Mobile Home Park DO NOT have to go through. We are extremely fortunate that by City charter, and through t he hard work of our home association, our homes and the land upon which they sit are preserved in perpetuity. From the Salt Lake Tribune.

Mobile home park residents plead case:
Million-dollar houses may displace them from Cottonwood Heights
By Cathy McKitrick
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune
COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS - Residents of a mobile home park facing displacement by an upscale developer made a desperate plea for help Wednesday to the city's Planning Commission.
Developer John Gust, president of Arbor Residential Properties, recently purchased the 20-acre Meadows Mobile Home Park at 7800 S. Siesta Drive, with plans to build million-dollar homes on the prime property.
To do so means displacing 156 households. Gust has given them until March 31 to move out. The hearing at Butler Middle School was over Gust's request to rezone the property
Meadows resident Brian Godfrey said that 274 people are affected by the sale of the 50-year-old park to Gust. Most of the residents believed the area was protected by a family trust and would remain a mobile-home community in perpetuity.
"There are many in the park who have no means to move their homes. Those homes will be fodder for the bulldozer," Godfrey said. Some of the mobile homes were built before 1976 and federal law says they cannot be moved to other parks.
Susan Johnston, president of the Meadows residents association, asked for more time and resources - and requested that any promises be put in writing.
"It costs up to $10,000 to move these homes. This is an extreme hardship," she said. "Many of these residents will be bankrupt and some of the senior citizens will lose their independence."
Johnston asked that Gust's deadline be extended to June 30 because movers cannot transport the homes between October and January.
Several residents from upscale homes on streets bordering the Meadows also voiced their opinions about the rezoning, which would allow two homes per acre rather than one.
"I'm very much opposed to downsizing," said Paula Rutter, who has lived in the area for 25 years and savors its open feel. "We've invested a lot of time and money and have a lot at stake. Once you take rural, you never get it back."
However, the situation for the Meadows residents was much more dire than their neighbors.
"When people have the means to buy larger homes, they can put those anywhere," said Leslie Smith, a Meadows resident and single mom. "But when they push us out, our resources shrink and we may never recover."
The commission will not make any decisions on the rezoning request until Oct. 4.
cmckitrick@sltrib.com

Drexel-Barrell employees marking trees in Mapleton

2006-09-27T01:10:00.000-06:00

Drexel-Barrell employees marking trees in Mapleton
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

On a pleasant September morning, two employees of Drexel-Barrel, the engineering firm charged with the task of coordinating the upcoming infrastructure work in the mobile home park, were seen to be busy at their work, marking trees in either Red or Blue. An explanation follows:

Drexel, Barrell and CO.

14 September 2006

Resident Mapleton Mobile Home Park 2635 Mapleton Avenue Boulder, CO 80304

Re: Trees-at-Risk Marking Activities Mapleton Mobile Home Park Utility Improvements Project Boulder, Colorado

Dear Resident:

On behalf of our client, Thistle. Community Housing, we will have staff on site to mark trees-at-risk due to the Utility Improvements Project for the Mapleton Mobile Home Park.

Drexel, Barrell & Co. has had the pleasure of being a part of the design team involved in the Utility Improvement - Project. Drexel, Barrell & Co. has provided surveying and engineering services to the project and will continue to provide support through the construction process.

The project will consist of upgrading the Park's" water, sanitary sewer, electric, and natural gas utilities. In order to provide a safe park environment, an effective utility system, and to comply with City code regulations some existing trees will need to be removed. Significant efforts were made, by design modifications and code variance requests with the City, to save as many trees as possible. Additionally, the contractor will work du(ing construction to save as many trees as possible. In order to assist the residents of the park in understanding the scope of the affected trees, Thistle Community Housing has requested that we physically mark the trees-at-risk.

DuCing the next few weeks Drexel, Barrell & Co. personnel will be on site to mark these trees. Trees-at-risk due to the water and sewer improvements, as well as the electric and gas improvements, will be marked with a red or blue dot on the street side of the tree. Additional red and blue flagging will also be used to mark trees-at-risk. The red marker indicates that the tree will most likely have to be removed. The blue marking will indicate that there is a possibility that the tree will have to removed. The current marking activity schedule is:

Week of 18th Mail Notification Letter

Week of 25fh Mark trees on site

There is a possibility that when marking some trees may not get marked or mis-marked. These marking are for the residents of Mapleton Mobile Home Park to get an idea of the trees-at-risk. The contractor will not be using the marked trees as the trees to be removed. The contractor will have and use an official list when removing trees.

Please feel free to speak with any of our staff while they are on site. However, please note that Thistle Community Housing or Drexel, Barrell & Co. office staff will better be able to answer any detailed questions you may have regarding the project. Please feel free to contact the following individuals with any questions regarding this project:

Jim Harrington Thistle Community Housing 303-443-0007 x.1 17

Matt Weisbrod Drexel, Barrel] & Co. 303-442-4338

Thank you for your continued support of this project and we look forward to continuing our support of this neighborhood.

Respectfully,
Drexel, Barrel & Co.

Mark A. Anderson, P.E. Project Manager

Julie Morris and Enzo Gentile installing test speed bumps

2006-08-28T11:51:00.000-06:00

Julie Morris and Enzo Gentile installing test speed bumps
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

After many months of deliberation some test speed bumps are being installed in the Mapleton Mobile Home Park. Enzo, Gentile, park maintenance hand (pictured here with Julie Morris, resident manager) lives near the test bump, and reports that he will conduct highly scientific observations to see how significantly the speed of passing cars will be reduced.

We want to thank Julie, Enzo, Hast Management and the board of the MHA for offering a potential solution to the worrysome issue of cars speeding through the park in order to get from Valmont to Mapleton or vice versa. Although there is conflicting information on the certainty of how much the speed bumps reduce accidents, as seen here (http://www.newswithviews.com/O'Toole/randal2.htm) as well as whether speed bumps cause slow-downs to emergency or fire crews, we are glad to be trying something out.

Enzo Gentile and Julie Morris, Mapleton Mobile Home Park

2006-08-28T09:56:00.000-06:00

Enzo Gentile and Julie Morris, Mapleton Mobile Home Park
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Mapleton Mobile home Cleanup day, August 20, 2006.
Thanks to the coordination of Sandy Denny at Hast Management company, a day dedicated to cleaning up all the excess junk was held at the park. The Sheriff's department helped, with inmates dispatched to various homes that needed help getting rid of unwanted material, as well as other chores like painting or weeding.

Several residents reported on the success of the clean up. Laurie Olsen in her home on lot #10 asked for many invasive tree-weeds to be removed, and she received the needed help. Jane Cliff in lot # 39 had two female helpers doing weeding. Kurt Bischoff reported, happily, that he 'set a load of junk out from near his shed and it was gone almost right away'. The same was true for Jonathan Machen in #25. As you can see from the picture, the park collected and eventually hauled away a huge amount of junk from many of the various homes that participated.

Enzo Gentile and Julie Morris coordinated the efforts on the ground, and were working hard all day. Many thanks to them, Sandy Denny, and the Boulder Sheriff's department for giving the park an opportunity to clean up.

Design students retrofitting mobile home in Boulder

2006-07-11T21:05:00.000-06:00

Trailerwrap - finishing exterior walls
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

PROJECT PROVIDES HANDS-ON WORK IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING - An article from the University of Colorado's Silver and Gold newspaper.

July 6, 2006

By Jefferson Dodge
Silver & Gold Record assistant editor

A group of CU students and faculty are retrofitting a mobile home in Boulder in a project that is not only creating attractive, energy-efficient, affordable housing, but also giving architecture students hands-on experience in making their designs a reality.

The approach involves rebuilding a trailer home from its chassis up, using inexpensive and energy-efficient materials, according to Michael Hughes of UCB architecture and planning, who is spearheading the project with several partners in the community and at CU.

Many mobile homes in use today were built in the 1960s or 1970s and are poorly constructed and insulated, he said. But they can also be a valuable form of affordable housing and an example of the "sustainable urbanism" concept that Hughes teaches in his classes. He explained that the term refers to the idea that high-density housing in urban areas can be a good thing when done properly, because it can reduce negative effects from things like sprawl and commuting. "Just because people spend less on a house doesn't mean it can't be a spectacular place to live in," Hughes said. "It's a matter of quality, not quantity."

Hughes and his undergraduate students began working on the inaugural "trailer wrap" project at the end of February, after securing donation of a mobile home chassis that was headed to a landfill and relocating the chassis to a Boulder trailer park. On one afternoon in April, structural columns and new support beams for the home had just been erected, and as students swept up construction debris, Senior Instructor Bruce Wrightsman of architecture and planning explained how tension cables would be used to support the walls. This spring Hughes was overseeing three different crews of student workers, and each crew worked two days a week. He expects to finish with the new home later this summer, and he said the final result will be an aesthetically attractive home with more interior space than a traditional trailer.

Hughes said the project not only teaches students about sustainability and creating sound architecture, it allows them to test their designs by actually constructing the project themselves. The trailer wrap also benefits the community, since it provides a model for generating affordable housing, with construction costs for the first project estimated at around $35,000.

Partners in the project include Thistle Community Housing, which donated funding; the Mapleton Mobile Homeowners Association, which donated the lot; and UCB facilities management. In addition, funding for the project was provided by the UCB Outreach Committee, the UCB Institute for Ethical and Civic Engagement, the office of the vice president for academic affairs and research, the UCB service-learning program, the architecture college and the Children, Youth and Environments ( CYE ) Center for Research and Design.

Willem van Vliet, director of the CYE Center in the architecture college, said the trailer wrap project fits well with his center's mission, which involves working with the design profession and related fields to contribute to the health, safety and welfare of children and youth. He said the project is not just a demonstration of the feasibility of creating low-cost housing using sustainable methods and materials. It also is a prototype of experiential learning, in which students "can apply skills they learn in the classroom in the real world while addressing the local need for affordable housing," he said.

If the project is successful, the model may be expanded beyond local needs. Liane Pedersen-Gallegos, director of ethnography and evaluation research in the UCB Center to Advance Research and Teaching in the Social Sciences, was involved in early talks that led to the trailer wrap project. Pedersen-Gallegos, who has been involved in efforts by the American Friends Service Committee to construct housing at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, said a UCB student showed van Vliet an e-mail message Pedersen-Gallegos had sent regarding living conditions and the need for affordable housing at the reservation. "They have two or three families in a trailer house, and those houses are uninsulated and have black mold," Peder-sen-Gallegos said. That's when van Vliet brought Hughes into the discussion. "Michael ran with it," Pedersen-Gallegos said. "The history is very interesting, but Michael's the one who's done all of the hard work."

Whether the project will take off and become a model for a larger-scale affordable housing operation to benefit areas like Pine Ridge remains to be seen, and Pedersen-Gallegos said she has not even asked the Oglala Lakota Sioux at Pine Ridge if there would be interest in such a project there. But if there is, it wouldn't be the first time CU has been involved with a Pine Ridge project. Pedersen-Gallegos said that in 1969, faculty from UCB sociology helped create a baseline study of living conditions at Pine Ridge, which is located in what has historically been one of the poorest counties in the country. In addition, Pedersen-Gallegos said UCB faculty helped establish a tribal college at the reservation in the 1960s, Oglala Lakota College. "If we can bring it full circle, that would be wonderful," she said of the possibility that CU could help Pine Ridge once again.

Trailerwrap - finishing exterior walls

2006-07-06T09:00:00.000-06:00

Trailerwrap - finishing exterior walls
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Two students in CU's design-build class who are working on the Trailerwrap home on lot 81 in the Mapleton Mobile home park make some adjustments to the clearstory framing. Work is progressing nicely on the project.

Poppies on lot 16, Mapleton Mobile Home Park

2006-05-16T12:46:00.000-06:00

Poppies on lot 16, Mapleton Mobile Home Park
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Spring is a colorful time in Mapleton Hollow. This is the home on lot 16, where Patrick and Tammy Lynn reside. They are potters - if you look closely you can see a sculpture on one of the yellow porch posts. Check out Patrick's work at www.haikutimes.com/patrick.html and Tammy's at www.haikutimes.com/tammy.html -

Trailerwrap - putting up the sign

2006-05-04T21:54:00.000-06:00

Trailerwrap - putting up the sign
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Enzo Gentile, maintenance hand for Mapleton Mobile home park, and Julie Morris, resident manager of the park, install an explanatory sign at lot 81 which describes the scope of the experimental straw-bale-modified mobile home currently under construction at Mapleton Mobile Home Park.

Enzo and Julie are two people you might see walking through the mobile home park on a regular basis, checking up on the residents and the grounds. They make up a hard-working team, and the park is grateful for their service.

The home behind which the sign rests is a collaboration between The Mapleton Home Association, Thistle Community Housing and the University of Colorado design-build program headed by Michael Hughes. For more information about the home go to www.trailerwrap.net

MHA's quarterly and executive meeting minutes posted

2006-05-03T00:33:00.000-06:00

Kurt Reber and Serena Benson
Originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

The photo to the right shows two colorful residents of Mapleton Mobile home park, Kurt Reber and Serena Benson, spotted recently on the Goose Creek Bike Path near the mobile home park. Both have been residents of the park for many years, and enjoy the park's centrality to Boulder as well as the excellent bike path access. Kurt is a talented drummer and bass player and has played in many of Boulder's finest bands. Serena works at Vitamin Cottage and practices yoga and dance.

The minutes to the most recent management committee meeting of 3/27 and the recent 4/30 Quarterly meeting of the MHA are posted at http://www.colorado-housing.net/thistle/mha/com_minutes.htm

If you would like to see photos from the Quarterly meeting, please go to this photo album.

John Boguslawski, next-door resident to trailerwrap

2006-04-28T08:15:00.000-06:00

John Bogaslawski, next-door resident to trailerwrap, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

John Boguslawski poses in between his home in Mapleton Mobile Home Park, #80, and the lot upon which CU students are completing the straw-bale re-wrap, lot #81. I asked John what his experience has been like living right next to all the construction. He responded that, aside from the fact that the structure was higher than he anticipated and that there were early problems with the sewer on lot 81 overflowing, he was generally pleased. Originally he had envisioned a tall fence or wall between the edge of his lot and the next; the new strawbale structure will create that boundary and he won't have to do a thing. John works for a rental car company in the Boulder area and has been a park resident for several years.

Gene Langlois in his garden

2006-04-27T17:39:00.000-06:00

Gene Langlois in his garden, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Mapeton Mobile Home Park resident Gene langlois completes the spring digging of his garden. Behind him you can see the structure of the retrofit-mobile home project that is currently ongoing. Gene has been living in the Park for many years; is a massage therapist, master gardner, Reverend, and community activist. Gene was among those who spearheaded the effort among park residents to form a community organization when the original park owner, Lou Nuttall, decided to sell. Now, Thistle community housing owns the land and park operations are overseen by the residents. Gene's efforts are an important reason why the Mobile home park continues to exist and continues to serve those with affordable housing needs in the middle of Boulder.

Spring Quarterly Meeting of the MHA on April 30

2006-04-23T14:13:00.000-06:00

Above: Boulder's Thursday Night Bike club rides through Mapleton Mobile Home Park.

MHA Elections Held at Unity Church

Mark Sunday, April 30th on your calendars. That’s the day the MHA holds elections for the Executive Board. Residents have stepped forward to fill at least three of the four vacancies.

Keith Ainsworth has agreed to run for Treasurer, filling the spot for Silvia Gentile. Keith is a long time resident of Mapleton Park.

Steven Gaines is tossing his hat in the ring for Vice President, a post that has remained vacant for the past year.

Former President and Management Committee Chair Debbie Feustel is running for head of the Management Committee.

The position of Secretary is still in need of a volunteer. Mark Reeder will be stepping down as the Acting Secretary on April 30th. He promises to have all the files and correspondence organized by then. Anyone interested in running for this position please contact Mark Reeder at mreeder@indrasnet.com.

The MHA has come a long way in the last ten years - from its first organizing meetings in 1996 to the present as a not for profit Corporation in the state of Colorado. Thanks to its volunteers, the MHA has done well and will continue to do well into the future.

Spring Quarterly Meeting
WHERE: Unity Church, Corner of Folsom and Valmont
WHEN: April 30, 2006 SUNDAY 5:00 PM to 6:00PM

Agenda:
1. Election of Officers to the MHA Board
Vice President
Treasurer
Chair of the Management Committee
Secretary

2. Updates
Infrastructure
Management
Finances

3. Thistle Report

Silvia Gentile Retiring from MHA Executive Board

Back to top

She has worked to the help the Mapleton Park residents from the beginning of the Association. Thanks to her efforts, 9 homes were saved from the Goose Creek Flood Control Project. For the past four years, she has been responsible for setting up MHA's finances, bookkeeping and working with a CPA to make our federal Status as a non profit 501 (c) 3 workable. Without her, the MHA and the residents of Mapleton Park would have been in trouble a long time ago.

She is Silvia Gentile, and after four terms as the MHA’s Treasurer, Silvia is stepping down to a much deserved rest.
Most recently, Silvia worked with the MHA’s accountant, Christa Fleuwelling, to set up our tax reporting and auditing of the business. Finally, the MHA’s Federal taxes are in good hands.
The next time you see Silvia, take some time and say thank you.

Loretta Milcarek retires

2006-04-03T14:40:00.000-06:00

Julie Morris, Paul Keaton, Loretta Milcarek, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Loretta Milcarek at an executive MHA/Thistle/Hast board meeting, shown here in a white shirt, sitting next to Paul Keaton (President of the Mapleton Home Association) and Julie Morris (Resident Manager of Mapleton Park). Loretta recently announced her retirement from Hast and Company. She has managed the Park’s day-to-day affairs for the last nine years.

When Hast & Co. took over management of the Park after the City of Boulder purchased it, Loretta and Hast & Co,’s owner Tom Hast met with the residents to find out what the residents wanted in a management company. They listened. And then they worked hard to blend the residents’ wish list with reality. Over the course of nine years, they did very well, though it wasn’t always easy.

Like a lot of partnerships, the one between Hast & Co. and the MHA has had its ups and downs. Yet through it all, Loretta worked hard to help residents as well as the Park to survive and grow. “There were a lot of thorny problems to solve,” Mark Reeder said. “Somehow Loretta managed to find the way to help residents while maintaining the financial sustainability of the Park and improving it.”

“She will be greatly missed,” said Alex Wilson, “Management Committee member. “She was great to work with.”

Executive Board and Management Committee members agreed that because of Loretta’s management skills, the Park saved a lot of money this year, while never sacrificing service or residents’ rights.

Good luck in retirement, Loretta, and thanks for all your help.

Ms Sandy Denny will take over for Loretta at the end of March. She’s brings a wealth of property experience to the job, having run her own management company. The phone number will stay the same after Loretta leaves: 303-444-7575.

Plans for infrastructure upgrades proceed

2006-03-13T21:27:00.000-07:00

Cozy home in the snow, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Photo above: Lot 25 at night in mid-March snowfall.

Some of you might be wondering what is happening with the infrastructure upgrades that have been in the works for months now. Bill Windsor of Thistle Communty Housing offers this revised timeline:

It looks like we are lined up for the resubmittal to the City of Boulder Tech Review. Since the vast majority of the comments were simple to address, I anticipate approval in this round. Our landscape architect made good progress with the city in regards to requirements and that will help us with our costs. Even so, because of the large number of trees that we will have to either take down or bore under, landscaping is not going to be inexpensive.

We also anticipate approval of a new grant that will help us with our budgets.

The next steps will be to:

(a) final tech doc approval
(b) pin down dry utility design and costs
(b) pin down the final scope of the first phase of work and to pin down the budget
(c) produce construction documents (plans and specs) for phase one and to submit for permit(s)
(d) go! go! go!

The City of Boulder Housing Department has requested additional information regarding the scope and phasing plans and I am in the process of addressing that. We will also continue to see if we can get Xcel to donate all or a part of the distribution system.

Trailerwrap Plus Mobilizer, Management committee minutes

2006-03-11T09:16:00.000-07:00

Trailerwrap - March 10, 2006, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Trailerwrap update: the chassis has been moved back in place over the newly-constructed concrete tie-downs.

In other park news, the latest Mapleton Mobilizer has been posted at the MHA parent site
And you can also see the latest Management Committee Minutes.

Park Resident passes away

2006-03-02T12:40:00.000-07:00

Cattails along the bike path, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

March 4, 1924 — Feb. 28, 2006

Mary Hansen DeWeese Baker, a resident of Mapleton Mobile Home Park for many years,
died of pneumonia and congestive heart failure Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006, in Boulder. She was 81.

The daughter of Andrew Hansen and Edith Gay Hansen, she was born March 4, 1924, in Longmont. She married H.L. "Jack" DeWeese in 1949 in Topeka, Kan. He died. She married Richard L. Baker in 1967 in Boulder. They divorced in 1984.

Mrs. Baker moved to Allenspark in 1956, to Lyons in 1957 and to Boulder in 1958.

A graduate of Clay Center Consolidated High School, she was a Navy Wave from 1944 to 1946 and studied with the U.S. Navy Medical Corps.

She worked as an office nurse for Dr. Frederick Timms from 1959 to 1968, and for Boulder Valley Schools from 1978 to 1989.

She was a member of St. Aidan's Episcopal Church in Boulder and the Waves of Colorado.

She enjoyed "her beloved Allenspark, where her family had spent their summers since the early 1900s," the family said.

Survivors include two daughters, Edie DeWeese, of Boulder, and Monica D. Riffe, of Fort Collins; and two grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her former husband; a sister, Lillian H. Howell; and a brother, Frank A. Hansen.

A rite of burial will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, 2425 Colorado Ave., Boulder. The Rev. Mary Kate Schroeder will officiate.

Contributions in Mrs. Baker's name may be sent to St. Aidan's Episcopal Church Discretionary Fund, 2425 Colorado Ave., Boulder, CO 80302.

M. P. Murphy and Associates Funeral Directors, in Boulder, is handling arrangements.

Copyright 2006, The Daily Camera. All Rights Reserved. original URL: http://www.dailycamera.com/bdc/obituaries/article/0,1713,BDC_2437_4508266,00.html

Excavating holes for roof support - trailerwrap

2006-02-25T15:56:00.000-07:00

Excavating holes for roof support - trailerwrap, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

One of the CU students in Michael Hughes' design-build class stands in a recently excavated hole. The excavation will allow supporting concrete piers to be placed in a way that will create a substantial tie-down for the trailer-wrap home soon be built on the site.

MHA lot 81 in February snow

2006-02-22T00:44:00.000-07:00

MHA lot 81 in February snow, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Some good progress on lot 81 was made before the snow fell last week. You can see the yellow forms that will be used to set the concrete tie-downs. A board, held down by tires, covers the exposed water main.

Celebrating February Snow

2006-02-17T22:06:00.000-07:00

Mapleton Mobile Home Park resident Pamela Lippe raises her hands in appreciation of the snow that blanketed central Boulder this week.

TrailerWrap progress February 15, 2006

2006-02-16T23:13:00.000-07:00

TrailerWrap progress February 15, 2006, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Students from Michael Hughes' design-build class trench a line in lot 81.

January minutes of MHA posted

2006-02-05T10:50:00.000-07:00

January Boulder Sunset 5, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

The minutes of the January 23 MHA Executive management joint meeting have been posted. Please go the current post for a complete summary.

Above: Clouds form in the late afternoon over the Mobile home park on January 31, 2005.

Progress on lot 81 continues

2006-02-05T10:02:00.000-07:00

Students from Michael Hughes' envoronmental design class have now finished the 'stripping' phase of the old mobile home on lot 81 that had been donated to the park. Only the chassis remains, and that will be the foundation for the new trailer-wrap. Next step: the chassis needs to be temporarily removed so sturdier concrete tie-downs can be installed to the engineer's specifications.

Tear-down of home at lot 81

2006-02-02T10:10:00.000-07:00

MHA/CU reconstruction Feb 1, 2006, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

The student team from Michael Hughes' CU design-build class begins tearing down the original walls of the home installed at lot 81 in Mapleton Mobile Home Park. The chassis will remain and the new trailerwrap construction will begin once sturdier concrete tie-downs are installed.

Newest addition to Mapleton

2006-02-01T14:58:00.000-07:00

finally...at home, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

A young man, as yet unnamed, was born to park residents Jonathan Machen and Paige Wild on January 27, 1:05 pm, 2006 at Exempla hospital in Lafayette. He feels that the mobile home park is an excellent place to spend his first waking days, a sentiment expressed via grunts, burps, and intelligent cheeps.

Trailer Wrap - first stage

2006-01-27T05:33:00.000-07:00

Renovation work on the home on lot 81 has begun with a simple clean-up of all old items in the house. Look for more changes to come!

A look at the existing utility lines

2006-01-11T22:14:00.000-07:00

Lance Slaughter looks at the line he trenched from the utility pedestal near his home on lot 27 in the Mapleton Mobile Home Park. It was necessary to find the common trench line that a number of homes in this part of the park share in order for him to connect his new home. The existing electrical is due to be replaced completely in the Spring of 2006, part of the overall infrastructure work Thistle Community Housing is working on.

New home in lot 27

2006-01-11T22:11:00.000-07:00

Lance and Richard Slaughter pose in front of their new home that has recently been set in lot 27 of the Mapleton Mobile home Park. Lance described the installation process as somewhat difficult, given that some modifications of the utilities were necessary. The home almost backed up into the telephone box at the back, and a line had to be trenched to the main electrical pedistal. This process is likely to be repeated as home-owners decide to upgrade their homes in the coming years.

Minutes to MHA meeting, Dec 19, 2005

2006-01-02T00:47:00.000-07:00

---Management Committee Meeting, December 19 2005

Executive Management Joint Meeting
12/19/05

Present: MHA - Jonathan Machen Management Committee Chair, Paul Keaton President, Gene Langlois Management Committee member, Alex Wilson Management Committee member, Kabir Management Committee member, Valerina Dingler management Committee member, Mark Reeder Acting Secretary

TCH - Barbara Navin, Roger Lewis, Julie Nichols
Hast & Co. - Loretta Milcarek, Julie Morris

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Executive Management Joint Meeting 12/19/05

Present: MHA - Jonathan Machen Management Committee Chair, Paul Keaton President, Val Dingler Management Committee member, Alex Wilson Management Committee member, Kabir Management Committee member, Mark Reeder Acting Secretary
TCH - Barbara Navin

Agenda items for group management meeting 12/19/05
Approval of minutes from 11/28and Quarterly Minutes

1. Resident Manager's report – Julie not present
2. Property Manager's report – Loretta not Present, but collection note from Loretta
3. Jonathan passing torch of management chair to ? but retaining web maintenance and advisor on lot 81 project
4. Mark Reeder’s suggestion about hiring liaison for infrastructure
5. What to do with recently available lots
6. Infrastructure update
6. We need a new secretary

Committee Reports:
Site/infrastructure committee report

Management committee Report -

Finance committee report – Silvia Gentile is still gone.

6. Old Business

7. New Business
Jonathan Machen opened the meeting opened at 6:15pm.
Kabir motioned that we accept the minutes. Val seconded it. Passed.
Loretta sent a note on collection of back rents. A resident had paid in full back rent.

CURRENT MANAGEMENT CHAIR STEPPING DOWN
Jonathan Machen made the announcement that he will be stepping down as management Committee chair to help with his newborn coming. He would like to remain as Web guru and the project lead on #81.

STATUS ON PROJECT 81
Project 81 is moving along and it hopeful that it will start on January 17th.

REMEMBERING PROTOCOL
A resident whose mobile home was removed has returned to Boulder and has been calling the management committee Chair in order to find out what is going on with his trailer. He has left phone number to call him. From now on, these issues should only go through Hast & Co.

Lori Anderegg’s home is for sale and it looks as if there is a buyer.

#9 is also for sale.

Lance Slaughter has prepared to move his son’s home in order to bring in a new one. Questions: Can he move one in? Yes if it meets current codes enforced in the Park. If it is a newer home it will need 100 amp service.

HOME SITES
Barbara gave the report that in exchange for HUD dollars to help pay for the Park, TCH agreed to provide five pads as HOME sites (Hud regulated homes) Their money went to pay for these five pads. The owner of a HOME unit homesite needs to be someone with an affordable rent tier - 60% or under - who has qualified for that rent tier. As evidence, Thistle will use the original income certifications, and will be choosing among those owners who actually qualified for the tier that was assigned to them. In addition, the mobile home will not be inspected, but the tie-down will. Barbara will investigate the issue more and let us know what is expected for these HUD inspections.

LIASON FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
Mark put forth the idea for discussion that we hire a resident to work as a liaison between residents and the Construction Company doing the infrastructure work. The resident doing the liaison work for Goose Creek was quite busy and the infrastructure work will be much greater. We probably cannot get a resident to volunteer to do the work. He proposed that TCH and MHA jointly hire a resident to be a consultant-liaison. As a consultant, they would be responsible for filing their own income taxes and handle their own healthcare and other associated costs. Hiring would be for a six-month period say for $5,000 - $6,000.

Job qualifications would be:
Management Experience
Construction experience
Good Communication skills
Good Reporting Skills

Familiarity with resident concerns
Mark also provided a list of qualified people for the job: Alex Wilson, Debbie Feustel, Don Mckee, John Hollin, Keith Ainsworth, Pete Caterina.

Alex Wilson declined the job.

Of these five, Mark proposed Debbie Feustel as the resident with the most experience and the tenacity to look out for residents. Also, she has skills at saving money, which will come in handy and more than likely be worth the salary.
Jonathan thought the liaison is needed if we have to have someone do it, maybe we should have someone paid for it. He also reminded everyone that at one time we had a community coordinator.

Paul responded that at one time we did have so much work that it was necessary t have a community coordinator. Paul is concerned about another layer of bureaucracy in the job since we already have people at the construction Company and at TCH. Also he wanted to know who would fund it – MHA or TCH?

Val made the observation that residents may not know where they are in the process of the infrastructure work and that a liaison would be helpful.

Barbara said that she could accept the point that we have someone on site that is there with a relationship wit the company that can handle emergencies and notifications.

Jonathan – we had good success with the liaison with Goose Creek.

Mark will contact the City about a grant for the position.

Agreed that if we can find the money for it, we will fund the position.

STRATEGY FOR SELLING HOMES
-Mark then explained his idea for new homes that will be brought in because of infrastructure work and the upgraded pads available:
MHA and TCH might consider buying homes of residents leaving the Park and then reselling them to persons and families, making a commission from the sales. Also, with the infrastructure work we will have at least four and maybe five pads for new homes. Both Mapleton and TCH should look into buying repossessed homes, which sell for pennies on the dollar, and having them installed on these pads and sold to deserving families.

BACK TO THE FOUNDATION ISSUE
Jonathan Machen brought up the foundation issue for newer two story homes in the Park. Foundation issue is something that we need to bring up with the city. The City wants these homes on wheels so that they are truly mobile homes that can be removed. But two story modular homes need a temporary foundation that doesn’t fit the city’s present code.

Permanent foundations might not be a good idea in the case of eviction impossible to remove home along with the resident.

Good idea to have mobile homes that we can install on pads and sell to people.
Ask Don McKee to look into what it costs to bring in new homes or repossessed homes and the cost of installing them.

INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE
No new news on the infrastructure front. Still waiting for the city to OK the tech docs. We can proceed with the infrastructure work once that is done. Most likely the work will still be start in March.

NEED A NEW SECRETARY AND MANAGEMENT CHAIR
New Secretary and new Management committee Chair:
Val made the observation that we start an active campaign to get new people involved in the committee and on the executive board.
Paul stated that the Management Committee is not as active as it once was and the workload mostly consists of listening to complaints and directing Hast & Co.

-Mark announced that he will be stepping down at the end of the January Quarterly meeting and will no longer be Acting Secretary.
Next combined Meeting January 23rd, 2006 at 6pm at TCH.
Meeting adjourned 7:50.
Mark

New Management Committee minutes posted

2005-12-04T22:29:00.000-07:00

This photo shows the water line break that occurred on the evening of December 4, 2005. The line was on Mapleton Avenue adjacent to the SE entrance to the park. The city came out right away and patched it up. Water service was out for several hours.

The minutes from the combined group executive meeting have been posted at www.colorado-housing.net/thistle/mha/minutes_2005_11_28.html

Fall Quarterly Meeting Minutes, 2005

2005-11-27T21:12:00.000-07:00

Fall Quarterly Meeting of the Mapleton Home Association November 13, 2005

Place: Unity Church
Time: 5:00

Board Members Present: Paul Keaton President; Jonathan Machen Management Committee Chair; Mark Reeder Acting Secretary

Guests Barbara Navin, Bill Windsor, Julie Nichols, TCH Staff

Agenda:

1. Update of Infrastructure Project
2. MHA Management of the Park
Finances
Leases
3. Update on Lot #81 – the CU, TCH, MHA Mobile Home Renovation Project

MHA President Paul Keaton called the meeting to order at 5:10. He then introduced himself and read the ground rules of the meeting.
Main business issue is the infrastructure upgrades. Paul introduced Bill Windsor from TCH who gave the presentation.

Getting the infrastructure started has been a difficult task, especially getting approvals from the city. The biggest hurdle was getting variances approved – TCH made three submittals for approvals on five variance requests. We can now go through with the second part, which is the tech doc approval. City wants to see the final drawings, plans including landscape. The final layouts of manholes, etc. Hope to turn this in by December 5th or earlier. We anticipate that the city will kick it back and ask for us to resubmit it. Generally the process takes 60 days for approval, so we are looking for getting permits in late February and that means getting started on the infrastructure in March.

Construction costs have been going up and we are currently looking for ways to lower costs. Based on latest estimates looks like we will have to leave out a couple of roads in the south side of the park in the first phase. But we will be doing the entire infrastructure – gas, electric, water, sewer and roads - at once instead of piecemealing it. By doing all of the work at once, it will be more cost effective and less disruptive. Meanwhile, we have been and will continue to do additional brainstorming to save money and maximize our work.

Construction will start at Mapleton Avenue first and then go north and west. We will be meeting with MHA representatives to see how we can be least disruptive with the residents.

The current MHA team is led by Kurt Bischoff and also includes Mark Reeder and Jonathan Machen.

We will be laying all of the infrastructure in the streets, which means the roads will be torn up and there will be times when the residents will not be able to park in front of their homes. Streets will have three or four trenches –sewer water, gas and electric.

Debbie Feustel asked where residents will park during construction? Bill answered that the team is looking for and will find places for residents’ cars. The roads will be replaced after all the work is done.

Debbie then asked if construction crews knew about the problem with rodents that accompany construction work in the Park? She explained that we had a problem with rodents during Goose Creek. Bill answered that we will discuss this issue during our construction meetings.

Susan Baird asked, how long will each section take? Bill answered that Wyatt Construction, who is handling the work, can’t give a hard estimate since they don’t know what they will encounter yet. The best guess is that the entire Phase One will be 6 months.

The question was then asked, How are we paying for this? Bill answered that the bond financing used in purchasing the Park provided us money to redo infrastructure. In addition there have been grants and Thistle is seeking another round of funding for more grants.

What did it mean to save on the financing by skipping some of the south roads? When we priced out the south side, the numbers that came back were substantially higher than the budget. We were able to save $250,000, but there is more to be done than there is money presently. The result is that we will do the south side road by road until the money runs out. The project will start with what is called Road C - the road from Mapleton Avenue to Goose Creek including the cul de sac at the south end of the Park. It will then pass under the bridge over the Boulder WhiteRock Irrigation Ditch and go to Road D – the road on the east side of the washhouse that runs from Folsom Avenue to Goose Creek. It will then go to Road E, on the north side of the Wash House and then to Road F which runs along Folsom Avenue. When those roads are completed, the project will jump Goose Creek to the north side of the Park and do both roads there known as Road A and Road B. As long as there is money in the construction fund, the project will continue road by road. The only real source for funding is through grants from city and state – so there will probably be a large time gap between phase one ands phase two.

Nick Tamm asked about the possibility that – Excel will fund the gas and electric. Bill answered that TCH is following up on that possibility. At the local level, Excel cannot give the go ahead for giving the funding. Aaron Miripol from TCH will go to headquarters to see if it can be done.

Maria Downing then asked Bill to clarify if there was not currently enough money to do both the south and north sides of the Park. Bill confirmed her statement and then added that some improvements to sewer and water to the south will benefit the north. Water pressure will improve and sewer will be better. Also fire hydrants will be available for the north as well.

Dan Teboe asked if phase One meant all infrastructure and Bill answered yes. It will go as far as funding takes us. Currently there is not enough money to do all north and south; there is enough money to do 2/3rds of the south side. Phase Two will be the same but will be a different part of the park.

Infrastructure upgrades will include cable, though not everyone will be forced to take cable.

How disruptive will the water shut off be? We will build the new system along side the old system and then connect homes as we go by them. When we tie into the trailers, will we go under the sidewalks and then beneath the trailers and tie in. Asked if residents have to be there to let workers beneath the homes, Bill answered that workers do not have to get into the homes only underneath them. Right now it is budgeted for the homeowners to remove their own skirting. He then explained, that the only cost will be for the homeowner to remove the skirting and that attempts will be made to get a neighborhood volunteer group that will help to remove the skirting for residents who are unable to. Not all of the skirting will need to be removed. Probably only the front, though some mobile homes may have to have a section of the side skirting removed.

Dan Teboe asked if water into the home be accommodated properly? Bill answered that water lines underneath the units will be heat taped.

Asked if construction crews will abandon or remove the existing utility meters and infrastructure, Bill answered that what is above ground will be removed, under ground left in place.

Debbie Feustel asked if the yard hydrants, which are beside the homes now, will be moved closer to the front. In some cases yes.

Will there be curbs. Yes for now but it is up the to the residents.
New waterlines will bring greater pressure. Residents now on city loops will not be affected pressure wise.

Bill then explained about trees: The goal is bring down as few trees a possible, but with trenching some trees will be affected. We will place ribbons on trees at risk, these are trees that may be taken down. There will be more with ribbons than actually taken since variances, where lines are run, and the arborist’s recommendations will mean some trees won’t have to be removed. The arborist will do a tree-by-tree basis.

Any driveways and sidewalks ripped up will be replaced.

The contractor will adjust water pressure for the park. A concern that some people with low pressure now may have some problems as units come up to pressure. Older units operating under low pressure may experience some problems. Won’t be putting in such high pressure that it is dangerous. One way to mitigate problems caused by increased water pressure is to turn the water back on slowly leaving the faucets running.

Debbie Feustel asked that If the water pressure does damage lines, is the homeowner responsible? Right now yes. The new water pressure is according to city code.
Plans are being made to do a survey in advance to point out obstacles so that residents can prepare. Also, residents will also have a resident liaison between the Construction company and the residents, the same as during Goose Creek. Stuff does happen, but all parties will try to anticipate what happens. Also, there will be weekly meetings that the liaison will attend and bring up homeowners’ concerns
Can we have an extra set up of plans so that residents can look at what will be expected of them? An extra set of plans can be placed in the washhouse for residents to see what will happen. Residents will have at least a month. Debbie asked for more time and post a set of drawings even if they will change later so that resident can have an idea of what to expect.

Bill then turned the floor back to Paul Keaton. Paul gave an update on finances. Hast & Company has been running the budget very lean and doing a good job of cutting costs. The first year has been very good, but we will have some lean years coming up. The way TCH and MHA financed the park there will be two good years with easy payments and then year three, paying principal and interest we will pay more. Right now we have to plan for future.

Paul then introduced TCH staffer, Barbara Navin who gave an update on leases. 85% of leases have been signed and returned. A letter will go out this week to remind those residents to sign leases and give copies of titles to their mobile home to Hast so that we can go forward.

Debbie Feustel asked if we will be able to put new lots on line after infrastructure. A total of five additional lots will come online during the construction process. Also lots sitting vacant right now will be brought up to code. Will we do marketing to rent out these pads and perhaps bring in new homes.

Jonathan Machen observed that it will be an opportunity for the MHA possibly to bring in homes ourselves and maximize the value for the future.
Management Committee Chair, Jonathan Machen, then gave an update on lot #81. He passed out a brochure that showed options for retrofitting homes. He explained that the MHA will be renovating the mobile home on lot #81 in conjunction with CU and TCH. A development agreement has been worked out with CU and TCH. MHA put money into purchasing the home and tying it down and we will be paid back for that. CU students are working on new designs; the budget has been figured out; and now we are waiting for permits and a final sign off by the city. Currently, the MHA donates the pad for about a year. No revenue on the lot until the home is sold. It will be at the market rate tier when sold. The site will be a test project using straw bale technology.

Susan Baird asked about if residents pay dues now. Paul explained that it was already included in the rent.

Mark Reeder reminded everyone that he is only an acting secretary and plans to step down in January. He asked that anyone wishing to be secretary of the MHA contact him or one of the other board members. Paul Keaton reminded everyone that we still did not have a secretary.
Paul Keaton adjourned the meeting at 6:19.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Acting Secretary, Mark Reeder

Mary Baker, Mapleton resident

2005-11-12T00:37:00.000-07:00

(note: Mary Baker is a resident of Mapleton Mobile Home Park. This article appeared in the Daily Camera).

Women's role key in World War II
By Kim Castleberry, Camera Staff Writer
November 11, 2005

When Mary Baker decided to go into the military, she couldn't just sign up.

Her father and the local minister had to give their permission first.

That's just the way it worked in 1944 for women wanting to serve in World War II.

Baker, 81, who's lived in the Boulder area since 1956, joined the Navy and was sent to San Diego. She took care of some of the war's most seriously wounded soldiers returning from battles in Okinawa, Japan, and Saipan, Guam.

Although Baker said she doesn't like talking about how difficult her work could be at times, she is hoping that people start paying more attention — especially on Veterans Day — to the role women played in the second world war.

More than 350,000 women served in World War II, which was the first war that women served in as U.S. officers. More than 200 American military women died in action overseas.

But many, like Baker, were needed to fill positions that kept them in the United States.

"It was so rewarding to take care of these men," she said. "I was doing my part and I felt needed."

Along with treating wounds, Baker said the daily personal interactions she had with soldiers gave her the most satisfaction. She said she remembers getting soldiers ready to see their families by shaving them, sewing new badges onto their uniforms and just making them look "nice."

"Some of these guys were really hurt, like missing legs or arms," she said. "And it just meant the world to them to look good for when their families came to see them."

One of her proudest moments came in front of her own family.

Baker and her dad, a World War I veteran, used to celebrate Veterans Day by having dinner at the American Legion in Baker's hometown in Kansas. So when she completed her two years of service, her dad took her there the following Veterans Day to have dinner.

"I was the first real woman veteran to go there," she said. "And everybody was so happy to see me back."

By the end of 2004, there were an estimated 178,000 living women veterans of World War II.

Baker is part of an organization called WAVES, or Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service. The Colorado chapter is based in Denver and meets once a month mainly to do charitable work, like sending supplies to troops in Iraq or supporting local events honoring veterans.

Miriam Denham, 84, of Longmont, is also a WAVES member. She helped soldiers undergoing psychiatric care at a Naval hospital in Philadelphia during World War II. She served in the Navy for nearly three years.

Like Baker, she said the contributions women made need to be recognized more.

Denham said joining the military and helping the war effort was something most of the women she knew wanted to do back then. Her husband is a World War II veteran who served in Europe.

"Everyone wanted to serve," she said. "The war was on, and our boyfriends were in service. We all wanted to do something that was helpful and meaningful."

Contact Camera Staff Writer Kim Castleberry at (303) 473-1360 or castleberryk@dailycamera.com.

Copyright 2005, The Daily Camera. All Rights Reserved.

Affordable housing in sight - Daily Camera article

2005-11-05T11:33:00.000-07:00

November 5, 2005

By Jenna Weisser, For the Camera

Photo by Mark Leffingwell

Jonathan Machen, left, and Mark Reeder, both members of the Mapleton Homeowners Association, stand in the Mapleton Mobile Home Park in Boulder, which recently was acquired by Thistle Community Housing as part of an ongoing program to find and maintain affordable housing in the county.
 

Thistle Community Housing and the U of C Federal Credit Union have teamed up to bring more affordable housing to Boulder County.

The Alliance for the American Dream program was launched in 2003 by the U of C and Thistle, a nonprofit housing provider, in response to the high cost of housing in Boulder County.

"The goal of the alliance is to raise $2.5 million over five years to support Thistle's goal of creating 1,000 permanent affordable homes in Boulder county," said Sue Bailhache, community and public relations manager for the U of C.
The Alliance recently received an additional boost when the National Credit Union Foundation awarded a $150,000 grant to the U of C.

The grant money will be leveraged with money from other sources to raise $100 million, which is the amount needed to meet a goal to buy 1,000 homes in the county.

The idea for the alliance came from a Boulder couple in 2002, Thistle resource development manager Susan Andre said.
The couple, who wish to stay anonymous, sold their home and made a large profit on it, Andre said. The couple realized the same real estate market that had enabled them to make a large profit also hurt many others who could not afford to purchase homes. The couple donated $60,000 to Thistle.

"They sought us out, and we realized that there was potential for more people in the community to support," Andre said.
Thistle wanted to find more Boulder residents, businesses and foundations willing to contribute to affordable housing.
Affordable housing means the homes are restricted to residents who fall below certain income levels, Andre said.

The average income for a Thistle homeowner is $43,500 for a family of three. The average income for a Thistle homeowner is $43,500 for a family of three. This amount is 55 percent of the area median income.

The average income for those renting Thistle properties is even lower — $31,600 for a family of three, or 40 percent of the area median income.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development puts out the statistics for the area median income, Andre said. The current area median income for Boulder is $73,800.

In 2004, Thistle purchased the Mapleton Mobile Home Park at 2635 Mapleton Ave. This purchase included 135 home sites, 112 of those being permanently affordable, Bailhache said.

Thistle is working to rehabilitate the Mapleton site for residents by improving the roads and infrastructure.
"The previous owner had not kept it up," Andre said.
Thistle also recently completed the acquisition of 32 rental properties and six condominiums in the Uptown Broadway development.
The newest project for Thistle is Blue Vista in Longmont. This community will have 198 homes when completed, and 100 of those homes will be permanently affordable.

Home construction is expected to start soon at Blue Vista, Andre said.
The price of a one-bedroom condo in Blue Vista will be $80,000, and a four-bedroom, single-family home will sell for $170,000, Andre said.

The Blue Vista, Uptown Broadway and Mapleton properties, as well as 26 newly acquired apartments on Goss Street, will add more than 270 homes toward the alliance's goal of 1,000, Bailhache said.

Finding new developments to invest alliance funds in is an ongoing process.
"We are always looking for properties in the city of Boulder," Andre said.

Copyright 2005, The Daily Camera. All Rights Reserved.

Thistle announces Raise the roof Party

2005-10-23T13:21:00.000-06:00

Picture: Paige Wild walks in the Park under brilliant fall foliage

Thistle Invites you to celebrate
Raise the Roof 2005
*
New Orleans ‘n all that jazz
With the Thistle Comedy Players
Starring:
Boulder Mayor Mark Ruzzin, Jann Oldham, John Tayer & friends
& Jazz Combo

Thistle honors:
Judy Richtel & Bill Rubin
For long service to our community
*
A benefit for
Thistle’s Affordable Housing
&
our sister organization in
New Orleans

Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005
5:30p.m. - 7:30p.m.

Good Food and Drinks
Great Silent Auction Items
$15 suggested donation
RSVP: Susan Andre 303.443.0007 *110
sandre@thistlehousing.org
www.thistlehousing.org

At: Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids
5311 Western Ave. Suite D, Boulder, CO
Directions:
East on Arapahoe from Foothills Parkway
Left on Conestoga
Left on Western

TrailerWrap project commences

2005-10-11T12:41:00.000-06:00

TrailerWrap

Mapleton Home Association (MHA) (a Colorado 501c3), Thistle community Housing and the University of Colorado's Environmental Design Department have entered into a relationship to remodel and recover an older mobile home using experimental and environmentally friendly materials and technologies. The project is part of a Design-build course offered by Professor Michael Hughes at the University of Colorado, who describes the endeavor, offered through his class, as this:

TrailerWrap explores the potential for providing affordable housing through the adaptive reuse and re-cyling of existing mobile homes. Addressing issues of sustainability and energy efficiency the TrailerWrap project seeks to create exciting, small-scale, and affordable architecture with a social and environmental conscience.

The initial demonstration project is staring in October 2005 on lot 81 of the Mapleton Mobile Home Park located between Folsom, Valmont and Mapleton in Boulder, Colorado.

This project will experiment with ways to upgrade an existing mobile home in an environmentally sound manner by re-wraping it in energy efficient materials and re-doing the interior in a cost effective, ecological way. This first project will implement a strawbale exterior. The roof will be slanted to catch the sun and will also provide support for the straw bale (no straw bale foundation can be attached to the ground at Mapleton Mobile Home Park, according to city of Boulder zoning restrictions currently in force. The need to add hanging support for a wall might not apply under different zoning circumstances in other areas).

This is a demonstration project that will result in a finished, desirable and energy-efficient unit. CU is providing grants and student labor, Thistle is providing direct grant funding and assistance, and the MHA is providing the home, as well as free lot rent. All groups will share in the sale of the home at completion.

History: Thistle was approached by Michael Hughes, a teacher at the University of Colorado's Environmental Design Department, about the possibility of working in the park using techniques they initially tried on the Red Feather Indian Reservation. Bill Windsor (of Thistle) contacted Kathryn Alexander, Jonathan Machen and other members of the MHA, and the relationship was born.

CU is interested in being able to:
Give the students actual field experience
Experiment with environmentally friendly materials and designs
Develop a long-term relationship so that this kind of project could happen on a continuous basis over several years.

MHA is interested in:
Providing housing on its empty lots
Providing residents with up grade options, such as TrailerWrap
Maintaining or improving the look of the homes in the park
Maintaining or improving the financial viability of the park

Thistle is interested in:
Maintaining or improving the financial viability of the park as well as providing affordable housing.

Pictures:

MHA's acquired home on lot 81. MHA has insured it and is paying for a permanent tie-down.

Here is one model of the several that the CU Environmental Design students have proposed.

from left to right: Bill Windsor, Thistle; Jonathan Machen, MHA, Willem Van vilet, CU, and Michael Hughes, CU.

Below is a portion of the development agreement, signed September 29, 2005

DEVELOPMENT AGGREEMENT BETWEEN

THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO

AND

MAPLETON HOME ASSOCIATION

AND

THISTLE COMMUNITY HOUSING

THIS Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into this 29th day of September, 2005 between The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate, for and on behalf of the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center and the Children, Youth and Environments Center for Research and Design in the College of Architecture and Planning (hereinafter referred to as “UCDHSC” or “University”) and the Mapleton Mobile Home Association (hereinafter referred to as “MHA”) and Thistle Community Housing (hereinafter referred to as “TCH”). UCDHSC, MHA, and TCH herein after are referred to collectively as “the Parties”.

RECITALS

WHEREAS the Parties desire to improve an existing unoccupied mobile home as part of a special demonstration at the Mapleton Mobile Home Park (CU Demonstration Project at Mapleton) and

WHEREAS the goal of this demonstration is to educate the public, design professionals, contractors, etc. of the feasibility of creative design and material use to substantially improve older mobile home units in terms of livability, sustainability and energy efficiency and

WHEREAS the Parties desire to form a Project Management Committee to guide the implementation of the project, oversee the budget, and approve expenditures and

WHEREAS the Project Management Committee will consist of one voting member from each of the three partners, MHA, the University, and TCH and

WHEREAS MHA desires to obtain the advice and assistance of the UCDHSC College of Architecture and Planning to design, construct, and evaluate the feasibility of improvements to older mobile homes and

WHEREAS UCDHSC desires to enter into an agreement to provide design services along with advice and assistance for MHA as part of its educational program for its students and as part of its commitment to community involvement in the State of Colorado;

THEREFORE, with intent to be legally bound, and in consideration of the covenants and promises hereinafter made, the Parties understand and agree as follows:

I. Scope of Work

A. The following generally describes the roles and responsibility of each party:
MHA – MHA is the owner of the unit being used for the project and will manage the lot on which the unit is located. MHA will waive lot rent for 12 months following the signing of this agreement. MHA will participate in Grant fundraising needed to cover the hard and soft costs to improve the mobile home according to the Project Goal. Upon completion of the demonstration period, MHA will sell the improved mobile home. MHA will be a member with one vote of the Project Management Committee.

UCDHSC – The University (“University” in Section I.A is defined as the students in the School of Architecture and Planning with supervision by Assistant Professor Michael Hughes and Professor Willem Van Vliet) will advise MHA on the design and improvement of the existing mobile home located on the site located at Lot #81 in the Mapleton Mobile Home Park at 2635 Mapleton Ave., Boulder, Colorado. The University will provide design services and will assist MHA to obtain and coordinate professional design engineering, electrical contracting, and plumbing contracting. The University will assist MHA to obtain applicable municipal permits and coordinate the construction management of the project. The University will provide labor through a student internship program during the construction process.

The design and construction of the project will take place on and off the site during the 12 months following the signing of this agreement.

The University will participate in Grant fundraising needed to cover the hard costs to improve the mobile home according to the project design. The University will contribute grant funds only and will not assume any liability for financing the project beyond the grant funding acquired at the time of this contract. The University estimates that the amount of Grant funding currently available to cover the hard and soft costs related to the project will be approximately $14,000. The University will be a member with one vote of the Project Management Committee.

TCH – TCH is the owner of the land on which the Project is located. Following the use of the grant funds above, TCH will contribute capital in an amount up to $16,000 needed to cover the hard and soft costs to improve the mobile home according to the Project Goals. Included in this amount is a $1,650 reimbursement to MHA for initial moving and tie-down expenses. Upon request, TCH will provide technical assistance to both CU and MHA regarding development and finance. TCH will be a member with one vote of the Project Management Committee.

Carl Peterson on his hand-built bike

2005-08-23T09:09:00.000-06:00

Carl Peterson on his hand-built bike, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

A creative long-time resident of the Mapleton Mobile home park riding his foot-controlled three-wheeled bike around the park on a sunny Sunday in August. Carl built this bike himself from old bike parts - a testament to the skill and talent many residents in our mobile home park have. Carl is a carpenter and gardener as well.

MHA meeting minutes and crucial documents updated on Web

2005-07-31T14:09:00.000-06:00

Meeting minutes of the Mapleton Home Association up to July 2005 have now been posted on the MHA main website. Please go here to see the relevant page. As well, many of the crucial documents that describe the legal overview of how the Mapleton Mobile Home park operates in consort with City of Boulder and Thistle Community Housing, as well as Hast Management Company, can be found here.
This Raccoon was discovered in a dumpster in Mapleton Hollow a few weeks ago. Alert residents Jonathan Machen and Paige Wild constructed an escape route and within a few hours, the Raccoons were gone.

Trailer blazers

2005-07-11T16:33:00.000-06:00

From left: Etta Habegger, program manager of Thistle Community Housing, Jonathan Machen, who sits on the Mapleton neighborhood’s management committee, and Barbara Navin talk about the structure of the mobile home park Thursday at Machen’s home. Times-Call/Joshua Buck

Trailer blazers
Mapleton park could be a model for Boulder County program

By Brad Turner
The Daily Times-Call

BOULDER — Jonathan Machen’s home sits next to a row of mature trees and the brook that curls through his neighborhood. He and his wife live in the middle of Boulder, a few blocks from the Pearl Street Mall and the University of Colorado.

Machen’s home cost just $13,000 when he bought it in 1995. He and the other residents of the Mapleton Mobile Home Park pay about $340 a month to rent their lots, which are surrounded by pricey single-family homes and apartments.

“It really is amazing this place is still here,” he said Thursday, relaxing on his front porch. “If you wander outside the park, you’ll see houses in the $400,000 range.”

Life isn’t so rosy for many of Boulder County’s mobile home residents.

Annually, banks and lenders foreclose on about 250 mobile homes in the county, according to county Treasurer Bob Hullinghorst.

“People don’t pay their taxes, and we end up with a large number of those mobile homes going to tax sale,” he said. “They’re just closer to the margin.”

In May, Hullinghorst and Assessor Cindy Domenico formed a task force of county officials and local housing representatives to reach out to mobile home residents who struggle financially. The task force may ultimately recommend that the county purchase some mobile home parks to provide affordable housing, Hullinghorst said.

There were 3,808 mobile homes in Boulder County in 2004, according to Domenico.

Residents of roughly 1,000 of those homes owe delinquent taxes, Hullinghorst said.

Counties where mobile homes are prevalent generally have higher rates of tax delinquency, Hullinghorst said.

“There are a lot of transients in the mobile home community, a lot of people who have just left or been evicted,” he said.

Hullinghorst said the Mapleton neighborhood, which is overseen by a nonprofit that guarantees residents affordable lot rent, could be a model for county-owned or county-managed trailer parks.

Mapleton residents formed a homeowners group in 1995 with hopes of purchasing the property when a previous owner put it on the market.

The land was too expensive for the homeowners, but Boulder city officials made it possible for them to acquire a stake in managing the park when the city bought it, partly to preserve the city’s affordable housing.

In December, the city then sold the park to Thistle Community Housing, a nonprofit affordable housing group, which negotiated a 99-year lease with the homeowners group, according to Thistle home-ownership program manager Etta Habegger.

The arrangement is the only one of its kind in the country, she said.

Because the system gives homeowners a stake in the community’s well-being, many neighbors live there for years and volunteer their time for the park’s management boards, Machen said.

“I saw the opportunity to be involved in how we lived,” said Machen, who heads the neighborhood’s management committee. “It inspired me to be more active as a volunteer.”

Machen’s bond with his neighbors bucks the stereotype of mobile home residents who move from one park to the next, living from paycheck to paycheck.

An artist, Machen knows each of his neighbors by their names and line of work. He lists a car mechanic, computer scientist, massage therapist, carpenters and a pottery instructor as some of the people living in the park’s 130 units.

Most families living in Mapleton earn less than $21,000 a year, or 30 percent of the area’s median income, according to Thistle.

Barbara Navin, a Thistle land trust coordinator and a member of the county’s mobile home task force, said identifying motivated residents and involving them in the park’s upkeep is key in a successful mobile home park.

“It does create stability,” she said. “People here know they have long-term affordable rent, and that helps them plan financially.”

Mapleton’s homeowner group is also doing things on its own to maintain a stable community.

It is working to establish an assistance fund, so residents who fall on hard times can receive a low-interest loan and pay the bills rather than being evicted.

However, while the task force’s goal is noble, Machen said he is skeptical that the programs that worked at Mapleton can be easily transplanted to another trailer park.

Mapleton was successful, he said, because its residents showed drive and innovation.

“It took a lot of steps over a long period of time,” he said. “It really takes initiative. If it’s handed to you, does it work?”

The county task force will continue to meet periodically, and ultimately plans to present an assistance proposal to the commissioners or state representatives, Hullinghorst said.

Several initiatives that would streamline the taxation and assessment process for mobile homes, and provide financial assistance resources for residents facing eviction, are already being discussed, he said.

“We know taxes create problems for people,” he said. “The more we realize that, the more helpful and less bureaucratic we can be.”

Brad Turner can be reached at 720-494-5420, or by e-mail at bturner@times-call.com.

Dick Wilcoxen leaves Mapleton

2005-07-08T16:22:00.000-06:00

Dick Wilcoxen, longtime resident of Mapleton Mobile Home Park, left this morning for Washington State. Dick was an original member of the Mapleton Home Association when the group first started back in 1995, and served on various committees, including Site. Dick is an avid gardener and wrote this piece back in 2002:

Wildflower Time
by Dick Wilcoxen

Recently I scattered about 500 pellets of Colorado grown, hand-harvested, Wild Flowers and Wild Grasses along the fences in the grassy area north of trailer #10. These pellets can be deposited anywhere you don’t want a formal garden. Bonded in a mix of clay, sand and organic compost with natural micro nutrients, minerals and microbial inoculants, the pellets contain up to 15 varieties of grasses and 31 varieties of wild flowers native to our area from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins. I still have about three pounds of pellets left to share with anyone in the Park who wants to spread the beauty of wildflowers. Less than half a pound was used to seed the area near the fences. I also have new seedlings from last year’s wild Cleome (Rocky Mountain Bee Plant.)

We are wishing Dick well as he travels up to the Pacific Northwest. He will be moving into double-wide, quite a change from the small, narrow mobile home he has lived in for years.

MHA Deer offer perspective of their life in the park

2005-07-07T17:04:00.000-06:00

This fawn was spotted in the Mapleton mobile home park in early July. With his mother, he had been enjoying munching on some of the select delectable vegetable gardens strewn about the park. When questioned about the types of delicacies he enjoyed, it came down to willow leaves and the delicate spinach that the Reverend Gene Langlois had left unfenced. "This place is great' the fawn mentioned. "Talk about affordable rent"!

Minutes from Public Meeting 6/29/05

2005-06-30T09:31:00.000-06:00

Mapleton Hollow_P1010004, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

On the 29th of June the Mapleton Home Association, together with Thistle Community housing, hosted a public meeting at Thistle Community Housing in order to help residents with questions understand their new leases. Here are some brief notes from that meeting.

Residents in attendance were Helen Smith, #144; Jodi Ransom, #146; Daniel Molina, #62, Karen Yakouskin, #47; Yuanita and Paula Preston; #70, and Roger Dorris, #157. Members of the MHA present: Jonathan Machen, Chair of the Management Committee; Paul Keaton, President; Gene Langlois, and Kabir, both on the Management Committee. From Thistle, Etta Habegger and Barbara Navin were present to answer questions.

Jodi Ransom began the session by voicing her concerns about the resale clause in the lease, specifically the issue about MHA or Thistle having 'first right of refusal' when a resident decided they wanted to sell their home. Paul Keaton answered that besides being a benefit to residents who might not be able to sell their home, this built-in option was not automatic (something to be decided within the first two weeks of intent to sell), but designed to, if necessary, allow MHA or Thistle to be able to buy the home to adjust the balance of units in different rental tiers, or to be able to move newer homes in the park. This arrangement would not affect the initial sales price of the home set by the resident. However, if the first right of refusal option was exercised by MHA or Thistle, a separate appraisal of the home would be made by a qualified appraiser, taking into account the uniqueness of the park's location and remodeling. The buyer of the home would still have to income qualify, and would need to attend a 'home orientation' session by Thistle. Etta acknowledged that the process of making an appraisal could be subjective, but the principle of fairness would be paramount when making this kind of decision.

Roger Dorris wondered if the value of one's home would relfect any improvements made to it by the homeowner. The answer is, essentially, yes. A person desiring to sell his or her home can base their price on a number of factors, including improvements made and location, without pressure from any outside group. However, they must make their home available to a buyer in their corresponding income tier. If the first right of refusal option was exercised by MHA or Thistle, a second, professional appraisal would be made that would take those improvements into account. The MHA has worked to ensure that there are no sales caps on a home. To be able to sell one's home, however, the buyer must income qualify. Thistle or MHA will not choose who the buyer of a home is, but if the home does not sell, they will ask that the sales price be examined. In addition, in the event that the home sits on the market for over (?) months, a policy is being formulated that will allow a home to be sold to someone in a higher income bracket.

Karen Yakouskin inquired about the status of the demonstration home on lot 81. She and other residents have been concerned that this home is an eyesore and was unsure of what what happening with it. Jonathan responded that active arrangements are proceeding and a final agreement is imminent. The home will be remodeled by a group of environmental design students and staff from the University of Colorado. The collaborative nature of the project was described in detail. When this project is finished, by the spring of 2006, the MHA will own an energy efficient home that a market-rate buyer can acquire, which will help the Park's bottom line as well as being a study for how modifications can be made to existing mobile homes anywhere in the country. The MHA's contribution to this project is primarily the donation of the use of the lot, which was previously vacant. Moving and setting costs are being reimbursed by Thistle Community housing, who is also contributing a sizeable amount of money to the remodeling project. The University is also contributing financially through grants. The process of reconstruction should be starting this summer.

Helen Smith asked about the process of replacing a home and what sizes of homes were to be allowed. Etta Habegger responded that once the new site plan for the park was approved by the city, each and every lot would have a designated replacement size. Some lots, because of their small size, could house two-story homes.

Thursday evening bike club rambles through Mapleton Hollow

2005-06-07T10:10:00.000-06:00

Thursday evening bike club rambles through Mapleton Hollow, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Bike riders, part of a Thursday-evening bike club, ramble through Mapleton Hollow in Boulder on June 2, 2005. These colorful riders have been making Mapleton, with it's easy access to the bike path, an integral part of their route. Some in the park appreciate their colors, exuberance and style. Others shun their presence. What do you think?

Lease Update from the MHA

2005-06-05T23:19:00.000-06:00

Lease Update from the MHA, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Lease Update, June 5, 2005

Recently, all residents in Mapleton Hollow received a lease packet that was incomplete. Missing were the Homesite drawing, Affordability Addendum and Park Rules and Regulations.

If you have already signed and sent in your lease you will not need to sign a new one.

Residents and the MHA noted the missing items and have already informed Thistle Community Housing.

As a result, Thistle will be sending out the additional items in another letter to residents as soon as possible.

Thistle also intends to hold a meeting at Thistle's offices for residents who have questions about the leases. The time for this meeting will be announced in the letter.

Residents who have questions now should call Thistle at 303-443-0007

The June 1st deadline on the lease packet was intended to help those residents who would be receiving a reduced lot rent and getting back a credit on their rents from January 1st 2005.

Those who wish to have more time to review the lease are encouraged to do so. The MHA is requesting an additional month to review leases.

Infrastructure Update, May 2005

2005-05-24T10:58:00.000-06:00

randomBoulder_P1010010, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

5/18/05 Drexel

Infrastructure Meeting at Drexel

In attendance: Mark Reeder, Leslie Ewy, Bill Windsor and Kurt Bischoff

Please note- these minutes are "ideas in progress" only, nothing firm has been decided.

Summary:

Bill Windsor will be presenting Excel with a presentation for evaluation of Electric and gas within the park, with the hopes of a "donation" of upgrading Utilities. The main thrust of the effort is justified because Lu Nuttall put in "private"Utilities when the park was built, and Excel has been collecting revenues on it. Because of this Excel should upgrade and sell additional power with higher Amps available to residents.

Also discussed was the splitting of the Park utilities upgrades so that half the Park would be done in one phase the other half of the park would be done in the other.

The MHA presented the fact that by upgrading utilities in two phases: the southern half of the Park first and the northern half of the Park second - there were some great benefits. 1) 75% of the sewer problems were in the southern half. 2) Less impact on the residents, specifically digging up their yards for the dry utilities which would take out a significant number of trees, 3) Saving up to $500,000 in costs.

Bill pointed out that their are both positive and negative components to the split.
Negatives are uncertain timing on when we could do the northern half of the part, as it pertains to the bonds which are allocated to doing the whole park.

The MHA reiterated how the lower half of the sewer has 75% of the sewer problems which indicates more of root problems and this being the "older" portion of the park, so therefore should be addressed sooner. This would also alleviate some problems with the northern half of the Park. Also conveyed was the cost savings of doing both wet and dry at the same time in order to save money and minimize impact on residents.

Leslie acknowledged that the impact on trees was greater if dry utitlities were done through resident's lawns. She also added there were places on the south half of the Park where sewer replacement wasn't "absolutely necessary" at the northern end of the upper tier near Folsom, with four homes from Branding Iron and the entrance to the Park at Mapleton. In addition, by tying in the water lines from the northern half to the southern half, we could increase water pressure in the northern half immediately, allowing for hydrants and the safety benefits.

Bill seemed much more amenable to examine this further and asked that once the prelim city review was in place to look into this further.
Mark and Kurt suggested that the Executive board be allowed to make the decision on behalf of MHA residence in order to not cause a sense of the "haves and have nots", within the park. Also this allows for Thistle not to create an adversarial relationship with the park residents.

Leslie Ewy and Wyatt Construction manager Tim Kane will get together to go over figures and cost out the feasibility of upgrading the Park's infrastructure in two phases

Memorial Service set for Don Lucas

2005-04-26T10:33:00.000-06:00

Don Lucas's widow, Lee Young, sits next to Alex wilson, one of MHA's
founding members, at the recent quarterly meeting of the Mapleton Home
Association on April 24. Lee would like people to know that a memorial
service will be held for Don on May 15th at 1:00 pm at 525 Main St.,
Louisville (the Elks Lodge). An interesting bit of history: Lee has
lived in Mapleton Hollow for over 20 years. About ten years ago, the
owner of Mapleton Hollow was a gentleman named Lou Nutall. When Lee and
Don Lucas learned that Lou was thinking of selling the park, SHE
mentioned to Don that 'the residents of the park ought to see if they
could buy it from Lou'. Don thought it was a good idea, too. He
presented Lee's idea to another small group of residents...(Alex among
them) and the rest is history. Perhaps we should thank Lee for the fact
that the residents of Mapleton Hollow still live in their affordable
mobile homes in the middle of modern, built-out Boulder!

Spring Quarterly Meeting of the MHA, April 2005

2005-04-25T10:35:00.000-06:00

Mark Reeder, outgoing president of the MHA, welcomes Nick Tamm to the
post.

Spring Quarterly Meeting of the Mapleton Home Association April 24, 2005

Place: Unity Church
Time: 5:30
Attendance: Lee Young (35A), Alex Wilson, (58), Celeste Caperell (17),
Doris Hubbard (155), Steve Schroepfer (83), Mark Reeder (14), Nick Tamm
and Maria Downing (41), Tammy Lynn (16), Jonathan Machen and Paige Wild
(25), C. Kabir (55), Suzanne Baird (91), Gene Langlois (77), Paul
Keaton (22), Kathryn Alexander Community Coordinator, From Thistle
Community Housing: Etta Habegger, Barbara Navin, Bill Windsor

Board Members Present: Mark Reeder President; Tammy Lynn Vice
President; Secretary Nick Tamm.

Agenda:

1. Election of Officers President, Vice President, Management
Committee Chair and Secretary
2. Updates On CU Project; Infrastructure Upgrades and Affordability
3. Discussion of Changing Park Name

President Mark Reeder called the MHAs Quarterly Meeting to order at
5:35pm. He asked for a moment of silence to honor Don Lucas, 35A, a
founding member of the MHA and a good neighbor. After reading the
rules of the meetings he called for the first agenda item election of
officers.
Election of Officers:
Nick Tamm was nominated for President by Paul Keaton, Kabir seconded
Accepted Unanimously
Paul Keaton was nominated for Vice President by Nick Tamm, Jonathan
Machen seconded - Accepted Unanimously
Jonathan Machen was nominated for Management Chair by Alex Wilson, Paul
Keaton seconded - Accepted Unanimously
There were no nominations for Secretary. The board will appoint a
temporary secretary until a person can be found to accept the
nomination.

The New President, Nick Tamm, then recognized Jonathan Machen, who
presented Mark Reeder with a plaque of appreciation for his 10 years of
service to the MHA.

CU/ED Project Report
Kathryn Alexander reported that MHA has entered into a partnership with
the University of Colorado Environmental Design Department to remodel
older homes from an environmental perspective. Thistle brought the
partnership to MHA and sits on the committee that oversees the project
along with MHA and the CU environmental Design head and the head of the
Planning Department. This is a long-term project that will experiment
with ways to upgrade homes in an environmentally sound manner by
covering them and redoing the interiors. This first project will be a
strawbale exterior with stone skirting. The advantage for residents
is that we may be able to offer options for upgrading homes that does
not require money to teardown the old or set up the new home. This
could mean a substantial savings. Each demonstration project will be
different with CU providing the student labor and all parties working
to help fund the project and share in the sale of the home at
completion.
Nick Tamm then asked how long the project would run. Kathryn answered
that the project is scheduled to run for a year. Each project would
employ different designs and materials.

Infrastructure Report
Nick Tamm reported that MHA has written a letter, composed by Kathryn
Alexander and Mark Reeder, asking both Qwest and Xcel for help in
defraying the cost of putting in the dry utilities. He then asked Bill
Windsor of Thistle Community Housing to give the residents an update on
infrastructure rehab. Bill explained that the goal was to install the
entire new infrastructure in one phase. Sewer, water, gas, electric
and phone with Comcast cable at once. The project was priced out at $1
million above budget. Now decisions have to be made on what to do
first. The Park would not be done in sections, however. Whatever
infrastructure upgrades were done would be done to the entire park not
one section of it. Right now there was enough money to do water,
sewer and roadways and repair some telephone. Bill then explained that
the letter Nick Tamm spoke of earlier addressed the electric and gas
upgrades with Xcel and the telephone with Qwest. The idea is to
approach the two companies and ask them to donate the costs of their
upgrades. The costs would be about $700,000. The argument is that
Xcel and Qwest have benefited for 40 years from a private system that
they did not have to fund. Usually Qwest and Xcel would be asked to
put in a system and they would receive back the costs of that
infrastructure through their rates charged to residents. Residents
have been paying for 40 years on a private system and both Qwest and
Xcel have benefited from this. If residents wish to write their own
letters to Xcel and Qwest, they should send them to Kathryn who will
forward them to Bill. By donating their services, the infrastructure
costs could be trimmed enough in connection with other cost saving
measures to enable the entire infrastructure to be done at once.
The fall back position is to do sewer, and water first. Sewer and
water would go through the streets and then gas and electric would go
through the yards at a later date.
We are waiting for the first site approval form the City Planning
Department. They are 60 days behind schedule. This could push the start
date back to August, instead of the hoped for date of June. The project
is projected to take 11 months.
Maria Downing #41 asked whether Qwest and Xcel could front the costs
and then collect them over time through fees. Bill answered that this
would be unlikely at this time.
Kabir, #55 asked if the costs for putting in the dry utilities later
would be more expensive. Bill answered yes, around $1.3 million versus
$1 million.
Bill then explained that the MHA and TCH meet with the engineers and
Wyatt Construction to see what can be trimmed from the budget. So far
the MHA has worked well protecting residents.
Paul Keaton #22 reminded everyone that the new infrastructure had bee
planned in order to bring in new homes. Without electrical, new homes
could not be brought in. Bill agreed, but said that the sewer and
water were important because of health and safety issues. The old
sewer system of clay pipe was breaking down and could leak raw sewage
into the ground and become hazardous to the residents. If the
electric is not done right away, residents could bring in new
electrical for themselves.
Alex Wilson told residents that he priced out new electrical for his
place and it ran between $8,000 and $15,000. Bill then explained that
if enough money can be found to put in the new transformers, then
residents will not have so far to go to put in an up graded electric
system. The new cost could be closer to $4,000.
Steve Schroepfer #83 asked what impact the new upgrades would have on
homes. Bill answered that mobile homes would not be offline for more
tan a day, as units would be hooked up as soon as utilities were run to
them.
To help out with costs residents will be asked to remove their own
skirting, to clean out underneath their home and possibly to connect
the new service. Residents will not be without service for more than a
day and there will be plenty of notice as the project moves through the
park. For those residents who are unable to remove their own skirting,
Bill suggested that other residents could be recruited to help them
out.

Affordability Report
Nick then introduced TCHs Barbara Navin for an affordability update.
Barbara reported that TCH hoped to finish up the rent tiers by the end
of April with MHA help, and that rent tier letters would go out by the
end of the week. Rents that go down will be retroactive from January
and rents that go up will be effective July one.

Park name change
Mark Reeder said that several residents have expressed interest in
changing the name of the Park. One suggestion has been Mapleton Hollow.
This has been a name of the area in the past. He asked residents to
suggest other names and/or to express their interest in the name
Mapleton Hollow. About 50% of those residents attending would consider
thinking about changing the Parks name. A name change would be voted
on at the next quarterly meeting.

President Nick Tamm adjourned the meeting at 6:20 pm.

Respectively submitted,
By Mark Reeder,
Acting Secretary

Mourning the death of Don Lucas

2005-04-19T10:54:00.000-06:00

April_17_P1010005, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Don Lucas was one of the original members of the Mapleton Home Association. About 10 years ago residents of this idyllic mobile home community formed a non-profit in order to save their homes. Don was instrumental in getting the group going. He was tragically hit by a car while crossing a street in Denver on April 10, 2005. He will be sorely missed by members of the park, who thought of him lovingly as 'our favorite park crumudgeon'. Don promised he would keep quiet at meetings, but he never did. Today, his quietness is is something we are mourning. No one, however, is missing Don as much as his surviving wife, Lee Hill. Lee is disabled, and remains in her mobile home in Mapleton Hollow in 35B - together, she and Don relied on her disability payments, which reportedly are increasing. Right now, though, Lee needs financial help. Please drop a check if you feel so moved, in the MHA drop box in the laundry room, or bring a check to Julie Morris (303)440-3315.Memorial service is set for mid-May, details still unknown.

Lots in Mapleton Hollow archived

2005-04-17T23:02:00.000-06:00

lot24, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

This empty lot, as well as all the occupied lots, can now be viewed by lot number at: http://www.colorado-housing.net/thistle/mha/picturelist.htm ...
There are currently 132 occupied lots and 5 vacant lots in Mapleton Hollow. Lot #24 is unusual in that it has no electrical service at all. This is because the home that was on the lot was bought by the city when they owned the land, and the home sat unattended for months and months. There was a leak in the plumbing which caused extensive water damage; the house was totaled. When they removed the house, they tore out all the electrical connections. Go figure! The other vacant lots do have electricity, but the entire park is at 50 amps of electrical service - adequate for a pre-1970's home, perhaps, but not for a modern home. That is why the landowner, Thistle Community Housing, is proceeding with plans to upgrade the infrastructure throughout the park.

What's happening in mobile home parks in California

2005-04-13T22:54:00.000-06:00

here is an interesting article by the NY Times about a mobile home community in Malibu, California...how people are transforming communities once thought to be for low-income people only.

Management Committee Surveys Park

2005-04-13T22:51:00.000-06:00

Management Committee Surveys Park, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Loretta Milcarek of Hast and Company (the management company MHA has
hired to manage the park) joins other members of the Mapleton Home
Association in a walk-through of the park on Tuesday, April 12, in
order to gain a sense of standards and appearance that we believe our
community should uphold. Unlike other parks that are owned by absentee
landlords, who often impose their own sense of order on a community
without actually living there, the management committee at Mapleton
Hollow is comprised of residents who deal with small spaces, limited
storage and the collective need to maintain the environment. The MHA
directs Hast to enforce the standards of cleanliness we would like to
see (the specifics of which are documented in our rules and
regulations). This walk-through, completed with resident manager Julie
Morris and accompanied by Thistle representative Etta Habegger, was an
initial pass through the park to look at all the yards and homes and
get a sense of what standards we would like to uphold. Others present:
Kabir, Maria Downing, Alex Wilson, Nick Tamm, Jonathan Machen, Enzo
Gentile, Julie Morris.

New rent lockbox installed in laundry room

2005-04-10T10:38:00.000-06:00

New rent lockbox installed in laundry room, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Mapleton Hollow now has a new, more secure lock-box installed in the
laundry room. Rent checks may be left in this box. The box was
installed by industrious resident Alex Wilson. Previously, residents left their rent checks in the same room but in a less secure wooden box, the clasp and hinge to which was ripped off. This box gives residents the option of leaving their rent checks in an easily accessible spot - once again.

Design of new mobile home by CU

2005-04-08T10:03:00.000-06:00

CU_model_of_home, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Another view of the new design of the home-to-be-remodeled in Mapleton Hollow (otherwise known as the Mapleton Mobile Home Park)

Michael Hughes examines model of mobile home

2005-04-08T10:02:00.000-06:00

CU_Michael_Hughes, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Michael Hughes of the CU environmental Department looks over a student's design of the retrofit of the home in lot #81 in the Mapleton Mobile home park.

MHA board pigs out on Whole Foods Spread

2005-03-29T10:56:00.000-07:00

We submit this picture to illustrate what delightful meals volunteers
of the Mapleton Home Association are entitled to whilst discussing park
affairs. Present at the board meeting at Thistle Community Housing on
March 24, 2005, from left to right: Alex Wilson, Mark Reeder, Kabir,
Jonathan Machen, Gene Langlois, Maria Downing, Etta Habegger, Kathryn
Alexander. Photo by Nick Tamm.

MHA Management Committee Minutes, March 14, 2005

2005-03-25T00:17:00.001-07:00

Summary Management Committee Minutes, March 14, 2005. Present: Jonathan Machen, Kathryn Alexander, Kabir, Alex Wilson, Maria Downing.

MHA is going to find a solution to re-installing a secure (metal) box in the laundry room, where the old wooden box was, for rent drop-off. See above. The aim is to make it a more secure system, with bolts drilled through the wall. This will help solve several problems: an end to people bringing money to Julie (the park manager) or Enzo as well as re-establishing the convenient, and perhaps more effective, way for folks to drop their checks off. The box below costs $203. Shall we buy it?

The committee discussed the roadway with the overhanging branches that need to be removed. A decision was taken to proceed with this action out of concern for residents' cars that are a target for racing dump-truck operators who swerve to avoid the branches.

We also discussed "what to do with overflowing recycle bins" We would
like more recycle bins to be put out in areas that there are only two.
For instance, there are only two bins on the road just east of Folsom
St. At least two paper and mixed-metal bins per station seem necessary,
if not more. We will re-address guidelines like this in the next
mobilizer - For example, we would like folks not to stack recyclables
on the street; instead, just throw them away in the dumpster if the
bins are full. Since we don't have bins for cardboard recycling, people
should just throw cardboard away. It is our understanding that
cardboard can't be included in mixed paper.

Enzo plans to fix the bollard at #77 and the bike racks. We are also
hoping he will fix the retaining wall at #70.

A discussion was had about a resident who has items in storage. His
yard was messy when the city owned the park, they cleaned it up for him
after leaving numerous notes, and now there is a fee. The consensus at
the meeting was to proceed with requests for payment; if he cannot pay
the back fees, his materials should be scrapped, with the reasoning
that we cannot bail him out. He is uncommunicative, and this has led
to his current situation.

Jonathan's suggestion of getting another storage shed, to possibly
address the above item, was dropped. ("Having a shed is an invitation
to fill it up" said Alex.)

The issue was brought up about the process by which people in arrears,
who owe back rent to the MHA, will be allowed to make a credit
arrangement with the MHA that involves signing over the title of their
home in addition to making arrangements about payment. If payments are
not made faithfully, the MHA will have the option of eviction and
selling the home for the back rent. This policy is still in flux;
details still to be worked out, especially for those residents who have
never responded to any of the MHA's or Thistle's policies.

The question was raised again: Can our park, which is within the city
limits, evict people without moving their home off the grounds of the
park? In parks outside the city limits, a judge can be asked for the
right to keep the home in exchange for the arrears that one owes - with
the remainder of money going to that resident. We still wonder if this
a city law only.

We did agree that some people need to see what will happen if one
doesn't follow the rules and regs. The City was far too lax in
enforcement of the basic rules, hence, people have lived without fear
of ramification for their actions - in some cases, some residents are
thousands of dollars behind in their rent. Unfortunately, we don't have
a way of dealing with people who don't, or can't, initiate social
services to help themselves. This is something Hast has told us many
times. One of the management committee followed up on that by calling
someone in social services:

> Just spoke with a few people at Boulder County Social Services.
> Basically the only way that they can help is if the person in need
> calls them. If the person is over 55, or has children or is
> receiving disability they can offer assistance. They encouraged us to
> refer anyone however. They declined attending a meeting saying that
> unless the individual asks for assistance their is really nothing they
> can do. She said that the homeless shelter on N Broadway could be an
> option.
>

The MHA is formulating a letter to a resident who has challenged
Mapleton LLC's rental structure and who also gave a comprehensive
presentation to members of the management committee and the Thistle
board earlier this month. The process now is to receive from Thistle
their recommendation, a 'response' if you will, to this resident's
presentation. Once we have that info, and have reviewed it, the
Management committee will direct Hast to craft a letter to the resident
via certified mail. The letter will reflect the extent to which MHA
can influence the agreements that were made over the period of 5 years
with Thistle and the City.

It looks like, at this time, all expenses for maintaining the new home
in spot #81 will fall under MHA's books. We are going to be talking
more to CU About this, but it seems clear that we should track expenses
for this project on MHA's books. We are hoping for grant money on this
project.

Jonathan has asked Roger of Mobile Maintenance to give us a bid on
temporary tie-downs for home #81. As of this writing, he has been asked
twice, but with no results. Another person may be chosen to help us
out.

Devising parking tags for the parks residents is now on our priority
list. Two stickers per household, and a guest tag that will hang from
the rear-view mirror.

submitted by Jonathan Machen, MHA management committee chair

Paige Wild and sunset in Mapleton Hollow

2005-03-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

Another brilliant show of light in the Mapleton Mobile Home Park!
February, 2005

Sunset over Mapleton Hollow

2005-03-14T17:56:00.000-07:00

mapleton_sunset, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

A view of the dramatic light that sometimes envelops the Mapleton Mobile Home Park in Boulder. Looking south. Bear Peak in the distance

New experimental home 1

2005-02-25T08:20:00.000-07:00

New experimental home 1, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Our new (old) home in lot 81, moved February 24, 2005. This home was previously in the Table Mesa Village in south Boulder and was acquired for free in order to give CU architecture students (and teacher Michael Hughes) an opportunity to do a strawbale 'strawbale wrap/retrofit'. Many details remain about progressing with this project; however, this is a good first step.

New experimental home 2

2005-02-25T08:19:00.000-07:00

New experimental home 2, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

An alternate view of the same home.

joe_gonzales_1

2005-02-17T21:32:00.000-07:00

joe_gonzales_1, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Joe Gonzales shares with us the four great stages of learning in any activity, They are:

Unconscious Incompetence -
Conscious Incompetence
Conscious Competence
Unconscious Competence

Mapleton Home Association Logo

2005-02-17T21:17:00.000-07:00

Mapleton Home Association Logo, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

This logo was drawn back in 1995 by Jonathan Machen in response to a need for a logo for the residents of Mapleton Mobile Home Park in Boulder, Colorado. Done in 1996

MHA to acquire free home for architecture project

2005-02-09T20:11:00.000-07:00

An update on the acquisition of the the free
mobile home and its transfer to lot #81: The CU architecture department is proposing a straw-bale retrofit of the exterior as a test project. When done, the home will be sold by the MHA to an interested person. The head of the project reports:

1) We just went to look at it in person and it seems
perfect for our project. It isn't pretty on the
inside, but we plan to rip all that out anyway.

2) Laura, the manager at Table Mesa Village Mobile
Home Park, has the signed title ready to give to MHA.

3) Laura said the current owner of the unit is getting
the "Authentication Form" today. This form is
required to move the unit and confirms that all the
taxes have been paid.

4) Mark and Jonathan confirmed yesterday that we
don't need any permits from the City except a transit
permit.

5) I will be contacting the mover, Dennis of Mays
Maintenance, regarding the schedule and time of the
move, the transit permit, and the scope of work.

6) Unfortunately, I will be out of town from Friday
to Sunday and the tentative schedule calls for the
unit to be moved on Friday. Is it possible for a
representative of M.H.A. to coordinate the onsite
arrival of the unit with Dennis? Jonathan?

7) The students are VERY excited and ready to start
the demo.

Mapleton Home Association/Thistle retreat

2005-02-01T23:32:00.000-07:00

mha_thistle_meeting1, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Representatives of the Mapleton Home Association met with Thistle Community Housing on January 30 in a 'retreat' to discuss the future of the park. The main challenge now is integrating financing of the bonds that paid for the land, with payment for new infrastructure as well as discussing MHA's transition from lowly residents to lowly resident managers. Seated: (backs to us - Roger Lewis, Aaron Miripol); Gene Langlois, Barbara Navin, Kathryn Alexander, Mark Reeder, Bill Windsor.

Site Committee report, 1-16-05

2005-02-01T23:20:00.000-07:00

Mapleton Mobile Home Park is gearing up for some major infrastructure changes.
This is the first in a series of reports that will track the progress of this project.

In attendance; Todd Greff of Twin Peaks Excavating, Tim Kane of Wyatt
Construction, Leslie Ewy of Drexel Burrell, Bill Windsor of Thistle, Mark Reeder and Kurt Bischoff of MHA.

The following was discussed:

The phasing of the Sewer lines and Water lines

Todd, Tim and Leslie are cognizant of slope requirements and the tight
margin of slope in the park for Sewer drainage to Mapleton Ave.

New sewer and water will connect to the front of each trailer under
skirting; this will include a hose bib.

Hose bib needs to be upfront instead on the side of each trailer due to
cost constraints. One item brought up but not resolved is the issue of
a curb stop and its location. MHA is hoping for the curb stop in order
to facilitate the addition of water meters to each trailer in the
future, at a reasonable cost if done during construction. Bill Windsor
indicated that the curb stop would add significant cost to the project.
Mark Redder confirmed that the shutoff valves now are located
under the trailers that a curbside shut off may provide a better a better
access for the future, when new homes are brought as long as the
homeowners who often repair themselves, can easily access the water shut off.

Todd and Tim concur that the project needs to be done in phases in
order to minimize the inconvience (sp) to the park residences.

In accordance to phasing, area's where discussed as "staging areas"
including but not limited to the concrete by the laundry room, the
parking area in the northeast entrance to the park and the empty lots
and Mapleton entrance.

The following are tentative phases (Mark I need trailer's**)

1) The VALMONT Northwest entrance to Goose Creek ROAD B

2) The VALMONT northeast entrance to Goose Creek ROAD A

3) Mapleton Ave to the manhole and cul-de-sac ROAD C

4) From manhole of phase three to Goose Creek ROAD C

5) SEWER LINE FROM EXISTING WASHOUSE TO MANHOLE OF PHASE THREE

6) Laundry room to Folsom ROAD D

7) Washhouse to Goose Creek ROAD D

8) Behind washhouse to Goose Creek ROAD E

9) Top row along Folsom ROAD F

Todd's preliminary estimation is for each segment to be 2-3 weeks for
sewer and water.

Ceramic mobile home with tornado

2005-02-01T22:54:00.000-07:00

hurricane_trailer2, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Here is a depiction of a tornado tearing through a mobile home, with the frantic residents clutching their pets (in this case, rats) as they try to escape. A possible prototype of a future set of commemerative plaques? Ceramic art by Mimi Wild.

C.U. architecture students examine MMHP site plan

2005-02-01T22:50:00.000-07:00

students_examine_site, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Bill Windsor of Thistle Community Housing shows University of Colorado architecture students the site plan for Mapleton Mobile Home Park on January 31. The students are proposing a strawbale retrofit of a mobile home on the Mapleton Mobile home site as a test bed for creating a prototype affordable and efficient home 'wraps' that would both insulate an existing mobile home and possibly allow the footprint to be expanded. (Although this last item would not be possible at Mapleton). Bill Windsor of Thistle looks at the future Challenges of a project like this:

Hurtle #1 is the requirement that Mobile Home units cannot have foundations and/or be permanently attached to one. This can be addressed either through design engineering or negotiation. In both cases, the students should
contact the City of Boulder to get hold of the exact terms of the code.

Hurtle #2 is $$$ - it looks like there are some grant opportunities to address costs. MHA may have a 'free' unit to use as a skeleton.

Upcoming meetings for MHA

2005-01-26T22:48:00.000-07:00

Two meetings coming up: First, there will be a retreat with TCH on Sunday,
January 30th from 8 - Noon. The retreat is to look at the financials of the Park and Park Management.

Also, a reminder that the next Steering Committee meeting will be held at Mark Reeder's home, February 1, Tuesday at 5:30.

Agenda:
1. Discussion of fund raising and discussion of Silvia notes on Marketing
2. Discussion of back rents owed to MHA by residents
3. Upcoming elections
4. Debrief of Retreat with Thistle Community Housing
5. Hiring of Bookkeeper for MHA

A success! Click on pictures to see more...

2005-01-26T01:27:00.000-07:00

A success!, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

John Pollak of Housing and Human Services, City of Boulder; Mark Reeder, president of the MHA, and Aaron Miripol, Director of Thistle Community Housing, together in an embrace, representing the unique collaboration between the City, Mapleton residents, and Thistle. Click on the photo to see more from the party.

Tom Hast and Loretta Milcarek

2005-01-25T23:28:00.000-07:00

Tom Hast and Loretta Milcarek, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Tom Hast, left, and Loretta Milcarek from Hast Management company. Loretta has been in charge of the day-to-day park operations for for many years under the watchful eye of the City of Boulder. She will now transition to working for the Mapleton Home Association in the same capacity. See the complete set of party photos by clicking on the photos.

MHA Party

2005-01-25T23:23:00.000-07:00

Kathryn and Susan, originally uploaded by elfhaiku.

Kathryn Alexander, Mapleton's Community coordinator, talking with Susan Andre, grant writer and lawyer. Click on the picture to see more photos from the party.

1st post for MHA

2005-01-22T09:36:00.000-07:00

The newest Mapleton Mobilizer and minutes to the management committee meetings have been posted at the main site.

From the Denver Post, Thursday, January 13, 2005

Boulder - Mark Reeder sipped a cup of tea and looked out his back window, where just a few feet away three deer made their way across a small brook and stepped past snowy trees on a cold Wednesday morning.

Reeder lives in Boulder, all right. But he's not in a posh cabin next to Chautauqua Park or a sprawling mansion on a golf course.

He lives in a mobile home park with neighbors who make about 30 percent of what a typical Boulder resident does. And thanks to unique cooperation among neighbors, the city and a nonprofit group, the park will remain affordable for low-income residents for at least the next 99 years.

"There is no place in Boulder - there's no place in the country, as a matter of fact - which designates this amount of affordable housing for that 30 percent (average mean income) group," Reeder said of Mapleton Mobile Home Park. "It's just kind of this beautiful piece of Eden in the middle of Boulder."

Mapleton became the first permanently affordable mobile home park in the state - and one of just a few in the country - last month when the city closed on a land deal with Thistle Community Housing, a private, nonprofit affordable- housing provider.

The Mapleton Homeowners Association worked toward the goal for eight years, and affordable financing was acquired by Thistle. City officials put up a good price, and Boulder acquired the park's 120 units, which will soon receive a $2 million infrastructure upgrade.

"We expect that the community will be (a model)," said Jeff Yegian with Boulder's Housing and Human Services. "And we already have provided information to other communities facing similar issues."

Yegian said the park is a "significant contribution" to the city's goal of having 4,500 affordable homes by 2010.

"The point was this park has, over the years, served a very large percentage of the population who are extremely low income," Yegian said. "We didn't want to lose that."

Under the deal, Thistle owns the land, but residents control the management as part of a 99-year lease agreement.

"You've got a community here that was extremely well-organized," Thistle executive director Aaron Miripol said. "They actually approached us about getting involved in this."

The park's homeowners association had been interested in buying the land when the previous owner put it up for sale in 1996, but it was too expensive.

That's when Boulder housing planner Cindy Pieropan recognized a unique opportunity. Flood mitigation and affordable housing had been named as goals a year earlier in the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan.

"It just seemed to be an opportunity to combine both goals," Pieropan said.

The city bought the land and upgraded a major drainage though the property along Goose Creek. When that project was finished in 2003, city officials worked with Thistle and Mapleton residents to sell the land back to them.

The deal closed Dec. 9.

"It was a long and difficult but very rewarding process," Pieropan said. "A big part of what made it difficult was there was not a model."

John Davis with Burlington Associates in Community Development, a Vermont-based consulting cooperative promoting community land trusts, said Thistle's arrangement is"one of the flagship community land trusts in the country."

"It is precisely those affluent communities like Boulder that are seeing interest in these kinds of developments," Davis said. "There will be many areas watching the success of this project."

Miripol said the value of affordable housing goes beyond any altruistic factors.

"You want to have a workforce in this community that provides your basic service industry, teaching - really kind of the folks that otherwise would not have an opportunity to be able to afford to live in this community," he said. "That is what Mapleton had done and what it will now do permanently."

Staff writer George Merritt can be reached at 303-247-9948 or gmerritt@denverpost.com.