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 cafés 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 cafés. 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 Nicole.zimbelman@colorado.edu.
