Lynn Hirshman, Central City. On Thursday, October 2, Central City Manager Daniel Miera was inducted into the Peak to Peak Rotary Club – only the latest step on his road to becoming part of the Peak to Peak community. He is already a Paul Harris Fellow – a member who contributes a considerable amount to his or her Club – from his previous membership in the Taos Milagro Club in New Mexico.

Daniel and his family – wife Angelica; daughter Camila, 2 1/2; son Santiago, 7 months – moved to Central City from Albuquerque late this summer so Daniel could take the City Manager’s position. He was Vice President of Business Administration for a general contractor in Albuquerque that specializes in public sector projects, but before that he was City Manager for Taos. His Master’s in Public Administration and experience teaching in the area also lent his move into the Central City position more weight.

Daniel has big plans for his tenure in Central. He’s begun by reorganizing City Hall so that his office is no longer isolated on the second floor; he doesn’t want to be “in the ivory tower,” but rather together with other City staff so that communication is better.

In the works is a plan to work more closely with the Business Improvement District; to “bring it closer into the City.” He wants to work more closely with the BID on infrastructure improvement. Further, he hopes to get a capital improvement program to improve roads, sidewalks, and public spaces.

In general, he sees a need for economic development for the City, most likely building on the City’s history and culture. He is trying to work with the owners of the many vacant storefronts in Central to bring business back into downtown, and at the moment is writing a proposal to City Council regarding some kind of lease program targeting vacant and underutilized spaces. His idea is that, if the City controls the properties, rents could be more affordable.

“I want to balance things out a little better – I’m not against casinos, but want to add another dimension to downtown business.” His first step would be to address the empty windows in the storefronts to improve downtown aesthetics.

He is also talking to hotel developers that are not attached to casinos as one way to bring family-friendly businesses to town. He also would like to increase business activity around the reservoir. While looking for revenue sources that do not involve raising taxes, he encourages ay and all ideas: “If we have 10 ideas, maybe one works – but that’s the only way we can identify any.”

As the City moves into the fall budget season, Daniel Miera hopes to continue to preserve the City’s history and, with the right incentives, bring developers to the table.