This is a quick post about a trip through time for one of the many success stories in Colorado New Urbanism, Belmar. The following are aerial images of what is today known as “Belmar.” I found this feature out today through Google Earth from a colleague of mine with CNU-Colorado. Very cool tool from Google, unfortunately it is consuming way too much of my time. Enjoy the aerials of the evolution from a dead shopping mall to what is today a premier place to live, work, shop and play.
Oct. 1999- The sad and depressed Villa Italia Shopping Mall in Lakewood, CO. Note to the readers, you likely have one of these vacant eyesores near by...
Nov. 2003 - Down with the Mass, or should I say "Void".
Oct 2005 - Notice the blocks of Belmar are taking shape.
April 2007 - The urban form is so beautiful. You have to love the efficiencies of the grid.
March 2008 - Latest aerial from Google Earth, however I assure you that it has changed a lot since this even.
The following is the information Google Earth provides with the use of their aerials:
Google Earth streams the world over wired and wireless networks enabling users to virtually go anywhere on the planet and see places in photographic detail. This is not like any map you have ever seen. This is a 3D model of the real world, based on real satellite images combined with maps, guides to restaurants, hotels, entertainment, businesses and more. You can zoom from space to street level instantly and then pan or jump from place to place, city to city, even country to country.
Get Google Earth. Put the world in perspective. (http://earth.google.com)
For other photos of Belmar, you may view a previous blog post titled: Belmar: A Model for Shopping Center Retrofits