A group of concert-goers gathers outside the Fox Theatre in Boulder, Colo. after the sold-out Yonder Mountain String Band concert on Aug. 27, 2009. (CU Independent file/Adam Milner)
Everyone likes the Hill for a multitude of reasons, whether it is the countless number of parties on the surrounding streets, eating at one the many restaurants or watching a concert at the Fox Theatre. As much as they love it, students say�there are ways to make the Hill a more enjoyable place.
Amara Seng, a 21-year-old junior, said the Hill is unique but could be a little more affordable.
�There are a variety of foods and it�s all nicely priced,� said Seng, an MCD biology major. �The boutiques could be cheaper, but they�re really cute.�
The delicious foods and low costs seem to be the main lure, a perfect combination for college kids on a budget, students say.
Amanda Woods, an 18-year-old freshman philosophy major, said the restaurants are nice, but more outdoor caf�s would be good.
�For lunch there are a lot of different choices where you can eat pretty cheap and it�s all real close together,� Woods said. �I like Half Fast and Cheba Hut. I wish there were more outside chilling caf�s. A lot of places here don�t have a lot of outside seating.�
The Hill also features a lot of exclusive and Boulder-esque restaurants and shops making it, like most things in Boulder, a one-of-a-kind place. This local feel and lack of major chains on the Hill are what give it character, students say.
Evelyn Maguire, an 18-year-old freshman chemical and biological engineering major, said the Hill is great for dining late at night.
�The best part [about the Hill] is cheap Chinese food at three in the morning,� Maguire said.
Laura McConnaughy, a 20-year-old junior integrative physiology major, said one of her favorite things about the Hill was that it was small and personal. McConnaughy also said despite the problems, it�s the�charm of the Hill that keeps her coming back.
The beloved Hill takes a pretty hard beating every weekend as thousands of students romp through the streets, and many feel say the area could use a little improvement.
Scott Serafin, a 19-year-old sophomore environmental design major, said making the Hill a pedestrian-only area, like Pearl Street, would be a good idea.
�It�d be cooler if there wasn�t any traffic that could go through it,� Serafin said.
Mary Theis, a 22-year-old senior anthropology major, said Boulder has a�severe lack of parking. Theis said there should be more parking on the Hill and maybe even free parking.
Theis also�said�the Hill wasn’t maintained well.
�[The city should] clean it,� Theis said. �There�s glass everywhere�It has a lot of potential.�
Many young female students consider the Hill a more dangerous place during late-night hours due to the attacks on women which occurred last year.
Despite the problems concerning Boulder�s beloved Hill, students say its charm keeps them coming back.
�It is scary at night,� McConnaughy said. �It should be well-lit. All in all, even though the Hill could use a small makeover, it will continue to remain a prime hangout spot, a defining characteristic of Boulder and a coveted housing location.�
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Nicole Zimbelman at [email protected].
