Commercial development is a big issue around the metro area. New areas such as Belmar in Lakewood and the new Stapleton redevelopment have piqued interest in revitalizing areas with new shops, housing and access to mass transit.

Aurora is no exception to the need for revitalization. The Nine Mile station, the new hub for light-rail, bus and other transit options in Aurora near Peoria and Dartmouth, is on the slate to be developed with new commercial properties.

The Nine Mile station serves the H and G light rail lines, as well as numerous other bus routes. It was part of the southeast line light rail expansion that recently opened in November of 2006.

The station itself is home to more than 1200 parking spots for commuters and feeds lines to downtown Denver, the southwest metro area, including Littleton, and the southeastern part of the metro area, including Centennial and Lone Tree.

The city is holding public workshops this week where you can go and discuss with public officials, members of the steering committee and other community members what you would like to see in the area.

Gabrielle Johnston, a public information officer in the city manager's office, said that the workshops wil be held as a charrette, or public-type meeting between architects and designers with the public.

Johnston also said that the designers will be providing the public with reports at the meetings outlining the progress that has been made with respect to the new development.

The workshops are taking place tonight and tomorrow night (March 14 and 15) from 6-8:30 p.m. at the KeyBank at 3000 S. Peoria St.

What do you think of the planned redevelopment of the area surrounding the Nine Mile station? What are you impressions of the areas needs and what would you like to see the city do with those properties? You can always post your own story about it on YourHub.com.

Events

Here are some things that you can do this weekend with the family or by yourself.

-The Aurora Chamber of Commerce is holding their Unsung Hero Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. March 16 at the Radisson Hotel on Parker Road and I-225. The guest speaker will be Margaret Kelly, CFO of ReMax International. Tables of ten at $300 and individual tickets are $30. Reservations can be made to the Aurora Chamber of Commerce at 303-344-1500.

-The Morrison Nature Center will hold Friday Fact or Fiction at 7 p.m. March 16 at 16002 E. Smith Road. Test your knowledge of local flora and fauna in game show fashion for free and for all ages. For more information or to register call the Morrison Nature Center at 303-739-2428.

-March 17 is St. Patrick's Day and what better way to celebrate that than by learning how to Riverdance? Visit Friendship Irish Dance Center, 1944 S. Quebec Street at 9-10:30 a.m. to take part in a class, which is open to adults and kids ages 3 and older. For more information, call 720-747-9377 or check out www.heritageirish.com.

-The Summit, at 2700 S. Havana St., will feature The Groove along with Adele Price at 9 p.m. March 16. There is also going to be dancing and dinner. For more information, call 303-751-2112.

-Tagawa Gardens will host a class about lucky bamboo from 10 a.m. to noon March 17 at 7711 S. Parker Road. Originally sold during Chinese New Year and symbolizing good luckand fortune, lucky bamboo began as a fad and is now a year-round favorite. You can also find out about many other fun and unusual houseplants, such as the Money Tree, Venus Fly Trap and other carnivorous plants during this This class is free. For more information, call 303-690-4722.

-The eighth annual Youth/Adult summit will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 17 at Grandview High School, 20500 E. Arapahoe Road. Summit 2007 is a student-led event. Youth Frontiers from Minnesota will present their vision to change how young people treat each other in the hallways, classrooms and lunch lines in every school in America. They'll be in charge of fun, entertaining and meaningful sessions throughout the day. They use music, youth/adult interaction and dancing to improve school climate and strengthen youth and adult character. For more information, call Jane at 303-741-1115 or Margie at 303-290-8443.

News

- The Aurora Sentinel has a story about ARC of Aurora's proposed changes to the state's long-term health care system for the developmentally disabled.

- CBS4Denver.com has a little more about the new co-state song, Rocky Mountain High. The bill naming it as such was introduced by a legislator from Aurora. The amendment to specify that the bill didn't condone the use of drugs was introduced by another Aurora politician.

- Finally, The Brighton Standard-Blade has a story about the proposed NASCAR track in Commerce City or Aurora.

Have a nice weekend.