Be selfish when it comes to protecting Downtown Durango

Business in the BID

Be selfish when it comes to protecting Downtown Durango

            It may be counter-intuitive to parental advice, but the Business Improvement District board of directors is deliberately being selfish – about Downtown Durango, that is.

            Long ago city fathers recognized that if Downtown Durango is economically viable, so is Durango in general. Thus, maintaining the health and well-being of Downtown has been, and remains, an underlying purpose of the Business Improvement District since its initial formation in 1997. Indeed, if a mantra emerged from the BID board’s recent strategic planning session it is “The BID protects Downtown.”

But everything evolves, and no single economic development or tourism tool maintains its effectiveness indefinitely. And while its structure and those efforts in which the BID is currently engaged have been successful, the board is taking a proactive stance for the future. Some change may be in the air.

The community got a taste of a BID with “sharper teeth” with the advocacy campaign launched to keep the County offices – specifically the County Clerk – in Downtown. Studies have proven and examples are seen all across the country that the exodus of municipal services from a downtown is tantamount to that downtown’s death. So call the BID board selfish – it doesn’t want Downtown Durango to die.

Going forward the BID hopes to get out ahead of such issues and advocate accordingly. Presently, the board is pushing for increased residential units and infill in Downtown. A Washington-based economic development firm recently released a study that indicates between 1 and 3 percent of a city’s residents are willing to live in a downtown, as long as quality housing is available. In Durango this would equate to a potential Downtown resident population of 480 people who will shop, eat, recreate and more within walking or biking distance. Working with the City to help property owners remodel or add residential units to existing buildings is a BID priority.

The BID plans also to enhance its communication with the City to identify those gaps in services and be a voice at the table with the Capital Improvement Project fund planning, with an eye for Downtown. For example, the City may budget for curb painting in Downtown, but not schedule it until fall. Wouldn’t it make more sense for Downtown to “spruce up” in spring, prior to high tourist season? Further, the City is moving ahead with the streetscape project, but where can the BID fit in when it comes to helping with enhancements?

The recent Downtown Market Assessment revealed some confusion from survey responders regarding the leadership in the BID. The BID is a volunteer board of directors, with staff consultants handling various aspects of day-to-day business – but no single “go to” person exists. Plus, the board members all have businesses of their own to manage, and increased advocacy, meetings and projects will require time they do not have. Thus the board is exploring various options for hiring a BID executive director, independent of the City, in late 2010.

The BID and its support staff have managed to accomplish a great deal in 10 years on the limited budget funded by the 1.5 mills levied on property owners in the district. Growth and expansion of services, and most certainly a focused BID director, will provide more benefits to Downtown Durango constituents, but they also will require additional resources.

One idea is to expand the BID, for example welcoming in those commercial properties along College. Another option is for the entire BID constituency to vote to increase the mill levy.

            Suggestions? Ideas? Email them to info@downtowndurango.org. The BID may be at something of a crossroads, but the future is promising for Downtown along any of those roads that lie ahead.

The Durango Business Improvement District was formed in 1997 with a goal and mission to support businesses within the District by assisting with special event marketing, providing research on topics of concern to the District (facilities, special events, best practices), planning and development of new facilities, and providing capital budget for equipment that enhances business in the District. Funding is generated by a 1.5 mill levy on property owners within the district, with additional marketing dollars contributed by the City of Durango and Durango Area Tourism Office. BID Board members are John Wells, presiding officer; Bob Allen, Karen Barger, Rod Barker and Tim Wheeler.