DID YOU EVER WONDER: Vandalized building, mysterious people, coal trains

I have wondered what that building is at the corner of Kiowa and El Paso. It looks like it was a service station of some kind — ‘60s-era? ‘70s? At any rate, it’s all boarded up and vandalized now, but it looks like a huge lot. I’m wondering why it’s not either for sale or being developed.
— Mike

ANSWER: County Assessor Mark Lowderman said the building at 540 E. Kiowa St., was purchased from an estate in 1994 by Michael and Bonnie Bishop, who had plans in place to build condos on the large parcel of land. (see photo: http://tinyurl.com/285n475)
Bonnie Bishop said the old auto garage would have served as the condo sales office until construction was underway.

The condo plans didn’t work out and now the land is for sale. Vandals broke out windows and there are “buy drugs in our neighborhood”/gang territory/or, just a kid with good aim shoes hanging from the power lines.

What’s that tower?

What is the tall structure on the south grounds of the Deaf and the Blind School that looks like a light tower?
— Ernest Romero

A: A spokesperson at the school said it is the original ventilation smokestack to the steam plant from the time when they had coal-fired boilers.

Who are the clipboard people?

Over the past month or so I’ve seen people sitting in chairs at different intersections around town. They are in out-of-the-way places and seem to be just sitting and watching, some have what look like clipboards, ones at Union and Fillmore were behind a sign and barely visible. Another at Stetson Hills and Powers was way up on a hill under an umbrella.  Any thoughts here?
— Bill

A: We checked with City Traffic Engineering and they said when they are taking traffic counts they use the across-the-road traffic counters, count on specific days, wear safety vests and don't set up chairs and umbrellas.

We'll toss it out to our readers for an answer. Who were/are these folks?

Where our coal comes from

We are wondering about the source of the coal for all the coal trains that pass through Colorado Springs. Everyone says that it all comes from Wyoming, but we are looking for something more specific if possible. Where are the mines and the rail yards where all these trains originate? We plan to drive north one day to have a look for ourselves.
— Charles LaBlonde

A: Dave Grossman from Colorado Springs Utilities just returned from the mine which is 65 miles southeast of Gillette, Wyo.  He said it’s the North Antelope Rochelle Mine.