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Downtown Durango Partnership
The Downtown Durango Partnership (DDP) is a non-incorporated organization
comprised of legitimate stakeholder groups that have an invested interest
in the Durango Central Business District. The DDP transitioned from a
sub-committee of La Plata County¹s local economic development organization
(LEAD), into an independent council directed by an interim board of
directors. The intent of the DDP is to be an umbrella organization and
act as one voice for the Durango CBD and coordinate common long and short
term goals that achieve ongoing vitality for Durango¹s historic downtown.
Downtown Durango Partnership Organization & Activities
1. DDP should represent all stakeholders in the community.
2. DDP should represent but not replace or take over the tasks entrusted
to the existing organizations that have present and future of the CBD
as their mission.
3. DDP should develop its mission and scope for facilitating the development
and implementation of short, medium and long term plans for revitalization
of CBD. Development of an Area Plan would be the first step in revitalization
process.
4. Eventually, DDP may have Staff(s) and should fund or assist funding
of activities related to CBD revitalization.
5. DDP should develop a mechanism to ensure full support and participation
of downtown merchants and property owners in its plans and programs.
From the above one can deduce the following:
1. DDP, as its main members, will need to include representatives from
the City, County, BID, COC, LEAD, and DIDF, and La Plata County residents
and businesses.
2. In addition, DDP should include representatives from:
a. Organizations which have an ongoing stake in the downtown Durango,
such as DATO and FLC.
b. Groups with special interest in such areas as public facilities, library,
museum and river front, when such groups are needed for providing their
input.
The Interim Board was formed to deal with the following:
1.
Support & coordinate short term Central Business District initiatives
and efforts.
2. Review the RFP for Area Plan to be prepared by the City and provide
input.
3. Assist in funding the Area Plan study.
4. Assist in the setting up and facilitating the work of the focus groups.
5. When the time is appropriate, develop the mission, legal structure
and funding of the DDP permanent organization and its membership.
A short-term project was introduced, initially deemed “Clean Week”.
The intent is to assist CBD merchants and property owners with cleaning
up of their buildings and exterior spaces in preparation for the busy
summer season. It was considered a worthy cause by the group and ongoing
discussions about planning and execution were tabled to the next meetings.
Current Board Members:
Rod Barker - Business Improvement District
Patty Burkholder - Durango Chamber of Commerce
Steve Eccher - Durango Chamber of Commerce
Greg Caton - City of Durango
Bob Kunkel - City of Durango
Steve Short - Durango Industrial Development Foundation
Thomas Harrington - Fort Lewis College
Phil Bryson - La Plata Economic Development Action Partnership
Brad Cochennet - Mercy Medical Center
Michael Scannell - La Plata County
Regina Fallace - Southern Ute Tribe Growth Fund
Richard Biegel - Neighborhood
Peter Schertz - Maria's Bookshop
Bob Allen - The Appraisal Group
Brian Wagner - Durango Arts Center
Meetings & Agendas:
PO BOX 3874 Durango, CO 81302 Phone: 970-259-1700 Fax: 970-385-7884