LITTLETON'S LIGHT RAIL RIDE BACK TO THE FUTURE.

• Position: Littleton, Colorado

THE SOUTHWEST SUBURB ZOOMS INTO THE 21ST CENTURY WITH ONE EYE ON THE PAST

24woes or unexpected headaches. A second hurdle is the redevelopment of the South Santa Fe Corridor, a city project aimed at expanding the uses of a primarily industrial area.

Another unavoidable issue: the world's definition of the word "Littleton," which forever changed April 20, 1999, with the Columbine High School shootings. Although the scarring events of that day occurred outside city limits, "We all own it," South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce President Brian Vogt said. "The communities are all interwoven."

Still, "I haven't seen any effect on the economy" due to the Columbine tragedy, Vogt said, citing a stable real estate market and continued growth. "I have seen a community stand up and work together."

The impending arrival of the RTD light rail in Downtown Littleton has already catalyzed some redevelopment on historic Main Street. Business owners are hopeful but wary. "The city is working really close with downtown merchants" in dealing with light rail issues, namely potential parking problems, said Larry Wright, owner of Main Street Golf in Downtown Littleton. "Hopefully, (light rail) will open up ah opportunity for people to come from Denver into Littleton and visit some of our shops down here."

Gloria Jones, co-owner of The Welshman of Mexico, an import store a block north of the downtown station, noted that light rail construction "set us back about a month" in sales. "I think the light rail will do wonders (for retail), but we need more parking downtown."

Not all of Littleton's shop owners were so upbeat. "The majority (of riders) will want to get off the train, and go home to try and beat the rush," said Dick Valore, owner of Valore Hardware Co., a downtown Littleton retail stalwart since 1917. Valore predicted a small increase in sales due to the downtown station, but had concerns about potential parking and traffic problems.

RTD's Southwest Corridor Light Rail will run from downtown Denver south alongside Santa Fe Drive to the end of the line at Mineral Avenue, an area currently a work in progress.

"The development of the Santa Fe Corridor is a major priority for us," noted Chris Gibbons, Littleton's Business/Industry Affairs director. "It's the last major area that's undeveloped for us."

"We think that South Santa Fe area could be a real jewel for Littleton," said Mayor Susan Thornton. Businesses "tell us that the ambience, being close to the...