People making things HAPPEN in Downtown

Business in the BID:

People making things HAPPEN in Downtown

            Durango has never been an accidental town. From construction of the railroad and mapping out of the Downtown more than 120 years ago, to the continual Downtown evolutions today, innovative and visionary people have been making things happen. Yes, the economy has slowed business in the BID, but tourists are still coming to Durango – and much of it is because of what all of us are not only dreaming up, but doing.

            A most visible addition is the new Durango Regional Transit Center on 8^th Street, and many forward-thinking minds contributed to its funding, design and creation. The Transit Center not only solves a great deal of “clutter” and disparate public transportation efforts, it adds a dimension to Downtown Durango not necessarily seen in towns of our size. Indeed, at the grand opening event held last month, Lisa Schwantes, of Senator Michael Bennet’s local office, noted that the Transit Center gave Durango a “European” feel. If all goes as planned, the center will also be an additional model for sustainable building and qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) ranking.

            The Transit Center likely will help enhance business in the BID, as it focuses all public transportation activities right Downtown, a block and a half off Main Ave. The convenience should be felt by both locals and tourists. In theory, you can now get around town, out to Bodo and Mercy and down to Ignacio without driving. Add to that the ample bicycle parking and storage, and more than a few cars potentially will be taken off the road – and out of Downtown parking spaces.

Durango Mountain Resort is also in the mix. Its employee and student buses will utilize the Transit Center, and hope is that arrangements can be made for guest ski transport to the mountain. The BID board of directors expressed this need to City Transit representatives last month, in an effort to help Downtown Durango regain its status as a “ski town” in the eyes of potential guests who fly here. Currently, unless a ski guest has a personal vehicle, getting to and from the mountain is challenging at best. According to Downtown hoteliers, this has impacted business in the BID during ski season.

            Indeed, challenges like these inspire Durangoans to do some creative problem-solving or be proactive – and we are certainly seeing it. Just as one example, Debra Greenblatt has taken the lead on a dumpster painting program, engaging local at-risk youth to “beautify” the alleys, utilizing the dumpsters as their “canvases.” Many years ago, Downtown proponents were looking at ways to clean up Narrow Gauge – which is essentially an alley – as oftentimes, this “view” is the first (possibly only) one train riders receive of the Downtown. The decorated dumpsters should help, or at least add some intrigue and spur conversation.

            To tap an additional tourism gold mine not yet fully exploited in this town: athletic tournaments, the Business Improvement District will host a strategy session, think-tank-type meeting in coming months.    As any parent of a student athlete knows, many dollars are spent in towns across the region as they travel to that baseball, volleyball, soccer tournament, and more. Why not here? We have witnessed how the Soccer Shootout fills the town. Perhaps Durango should capitalize on the growth and popularity of La Crosse – or could we hold a successful tennis tournament? Again, people will put their heads together to make something happen for the benefit of the town.

Note: Marie, if the above doesn’t fill the available space, perhaps put a little box or something that says:

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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.