The Westside may be the best side. But that will get you an argument.
There are few neighborhoods in Colorado Springs, however, as well-documented for historic value than the Westside, otherwise known as Old Colorado City.
True, the Old North End is right up there, along with the Weber-Wahsatch historic area.
But imagine this: Westsiders spent $4,000 to photograph all 3,600 homes. Then dozens of volunteers spent years studying the photos, cataloguing each house, its architectural style, unique characteristics, its El Paso County Assessor’s property number and more to create a database.
Now, based on that research, the city has issued a 127-page document, the Historic Westside Design Guidelines.
It is part history book, part architectural text and a how-to manual for anyone remodeling a house built before about 1955.
There is page after page of photos showing how to enlarge a house and stay true to the historic nature of the neighborhood. It shows tips on reroofing historic houses. Or adding gables. Or porches. You get the idea.
Dave Hughes in a 2007 file photo.
Kudos for the document go to Dave Hughes and Old Colorado City Historical Society 
.
Also, Kristine Van Wert and the Organization of Westside Neighbors.
I’ve written several Side Streets columns about the effort. Here’s a link to my first column on the subject in 2004.
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Well, the publicity our Historical Society and Bill Vogrin has generated over the release of the Westside Guidelines is beginning to pay off, as westsiders have been coming into our History Center and asking to see, then take, copies.
While there were 300 copies of the 127 page illustrated book, together with an enclosed 33 page spread sheet printed, the ‘three public meetings’ required by the State for its supporting grant to distribute the book was pretty much a bust. Even though the Principal Author of the work, Steve Obering, architect for the YOW architectural firm had a slide show to educate those attending, less than 25 total people showed up, in groups of 6, 10, and 4. And were handed the book.
The WHOLE POINT of doing the Guidelines for about $40,000 city and state Money plus all the staff work, was to educate Westsiders who owned potentially ‘historic’ homes as to what they can, and should do or not do during inevitable remodeling.
So we, the OCCHS (after rattling the cage) got the city to deliver more than 50 copies to our History Center, where people, especially new homeowners, come to learn about their old properties. And we got Steve Obering to agree to come to the Center at 11AM, Saturday, April 3d, to make his presentation again. This time we can expect 50 to 70 westsiders to show up after our brand of publicity, together with an announcement in our April (end of March) West Word newsletter that is mailed to 300 of our members.
And when the copies run out even after the City gives us the last ones, we have three copies on the shelf of our small research library, where westsiders can do their own research.
Already I have encountered at the Center individuals who PLAN to remodel, and are perusing copies at our Center and asking questions. And I am getting email from others trying to find good information and architectural tips.
So the word is getting out, in spite of the lackluster efforts before we got into it.