Downtown Improvement and Economic Sustainability Programs Underway
The Durango Business Improvement District (BID) and City of Durango are taking leadership roles in a variety of activities and projects designed to enhance the appearance of the Historic Downtown, as well as the economic sustainability of Durango.
Main Avenue Sidewalk Design Project
Walzak Design Resources has been retained to start the process that will result in development of four or five creative options for sidewalk redesign in the Historic Downtown.
Currently, the consultants are engaged in engineering, data collection and physical survey of the existing sidewalks and properties along Main Ave. from 5th St. to 14th St., and one-half block up and down the streets on either side of Main.
The next step will include design option development – which could include everything from bulb-outs at the corner intersections for pedestrian ease/safety in crossing Main, to a European design that eliminates the sidewalk/curb/gutter concept.
Actual construction is not expected to begin until late summer 2008.
Steering meetings are open to the public, and ideas/options for renovation will be presented at public meetings designed to secure an “informed consensus” for going forward. For on-going information, visit www.durangodowntown.com\sidewalks.
Signage and Way-finding Program
The City of Durango is taking the leadership reins in development of a signage and way-finding program for the Historic Downtown. Pittsburg-based KMA Design has been retained for the task and has completed the initial research and review.
KMA is tasked with creating a unified family of signs to guide visitors from the perimeter into the heart of Downtown, and once there, help orient them. A map of potential locations has been completed, and the over-arching “look” of the signage family is being developed.
KMA will return to Durango for the Nov. 9 Community Meeting with a visual presentation. Signage installation is expected to begin in Spring 2008.
Market Assessment and Downtown Management Plan
Considered the “last piece” of the Downtown Vision and Strategic Plan, the Market Assessment and Downtown Management Plan is essentially the “business plan” for the District. The Boulder, Colorado–based RRC Associates has been retained to complete the study.
The first phase, currently underway, is the Market Assessment, which encompasses a downtown market analysis, identification of local economic trends and user groups, the segregation of local resident and tourist economic impacts, quantification of sales “leakage” and brand positioning.
The second phase will be development of a Downtown Management Plan, which, based on the findings from the market research, is intended to identify an organizational structure, financing plan and implementation plan with phasing and roles/responsibilities identification.
Funding for the plan is a public-private partnership of the BID, City of Durango, La Plata Economic Development Action Partnership (LEAD) and members of the private sector.
Conference Center Feasibility Study
To confirm the current state of the conference/meetings market and the economic viability of a Durango Conference & Events Center, the Durango Business Improvement District Board of Directors recently commissioned an update of the original feasibility study prepared back in 2000.
The 116-page 2007 update prepared by HVS International – which builds upon the 130-plus page original study prepared by Minnesota-based Convention Sports & Leisure International (CSL) – reinforces the potential economic benefits should a facility with approximately 28,000 sq. ft. of rentable space (which is considered “mid-sized”) be built.
The full HVS conference center study update is available for review.
“Buy Local”
To support economic sustainability, a “Buy Local” effort is currently in development. Representatives from numerous organizations that support or already have taken on “buy local” efforts are endeavoring to work together and launch a well-coordinated campaign. To be involved, contact Bob Kunkel, kunkelra@ci.durango.co.us.
