Seemingly “little” things reap big rewards for Downtown

Business in the BID…

Seemingly “little” things reap big rewards for Downtown

It’s often the little things that make a difference, and while your Durango Business Improvement District board of directors and staff consultants are keeping their eyes on the “bigger picture” issues to sustain the health of Downtown, they’re also maintaining existing and initiating new “smaller” efforts designed to do the same.

As discussed previously, to help quell the cigarette butt problem, 25 upscale “Landmark Smokers Urns” were purchased by the BID and have been installed around Downtown. That appears to have been the easy part, as behavior is not quite as simple to alter. While merchants report that the urns are indeed being used, they still must clean up butts on the sidewalk and dig them out of flower barrels placed only a few feet from the urn.

For some years, much discussion has swirled around the Downtown sidewalks and the imminent need for their repair or replacement. Time has come, and the multi-year effort will begin in October 2009, starting at 5^th and Main and working north. Work will continue in April 2010 and in subsequent shoulder seasons until repairs are complete.

Because barricades and other accoutrements of construction can inhibit pedestrians and thus customers to the affected businesses (as was seen during the rebuilding of the fire-destroyed buildings in the 700 block), the BID has invested in “bow” flags – 16-ft. tall vertical banners – that will help inform Downtown visitors that the businesses are indeed open. The bow flags have already been seen around town at various events and activities, and will be displayed in their full glory during the opening of the new Transit Center, August 14.

(As a note, the replacement of the sidewalks on West 7^th and 8^th Streets was not part of the aforementioned sidewalk project, rather redone in conjunction with the Transit Center, and scheduled accordingly. The City does realize that these past several months are not a “shoulder season.”)

Ever since the City began to develop the signage and way-finding program (an effort to clarify and unify the signage in and around Downtown), the BID board members, as a part of the effort, have felt it appropriate for the BID to invest in some type of business directory. The prototype will be rolled out in coming months.

To be constructed out of metal and painted the same “Philadelphia green” as the historic benches, flower barrels and trash receptacles, the prototype directory will showcase an enhanced and dramatically enlarged map of the District as seen in the Visitor Locator Guide, another successful project of the BID. A listing of businesses will be set below the map.

While the metal frame and stand is permanent, the map and directory are designed to be changed out annually. As of press time a final location for the prototype Downtown Directory had not confirmed, though it will likely be located in the 500 block of Main Ave., near the D&SNG Railroad Depot.

Work has also begun on the fourth “Rhythms of Durango” – the CD designed to encourage attendance Downtown by promoting local musicians, and by extension, the venues in which they play. For 2009, the project will be “HOLiDAZZLE” (or selection of holiday songs). The CD release party will be held at the Henry Strater Theatre on November 27.

The BID endeavors to keep its constituents informed of activities – large and small – and does mail out the “BID Biz Beat,” a hard-copy quarterly newsletter. Recently the team added the electronic BID E-News, a weekly informational piece designed to be a quick read with news you can use immediately.

If you already receive the BID E-News, forward it to a friend and encourage them to opt in to receive as we;;. If you aren’t yet on the quarterly newsletter mailing list or the BID E-News distribution list, alert Pam Glasco in the BID office (375.5067 or pamg@downtowndurango.org).

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.