The Nederland Downtown Development Authority (NDDA) met on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 6 p.m. to choose an event coordinator for their Summer Concert Series. Board members were also presented with an update from nonprofit membership association Downtown Colorado Inc., concerning the work they have conducted to help the NDDA operate more efficiently.

On September 13, 2023, the NDDA approved contracting with Downtown Colorado Inc. (DCI) for $12,500, based on their proposal to synchronize the Authority’s goals with the Town’s, build Action Items for official approval, and establish the proper budget line items for 2024 and 2025.

DCI’s scope of work involved meetings with key stakeholders, a survey sent to NDDA members between late September and mid-October, in-person meetings and events to be conducted through to January 2024, and official recommendations to be delivered to the NDDA by February.

The Authority heard a presentation from Kat Correll of DCI, and reviewed their summary report of the last three months of work.

Correll provided an overview of what DCI felt were the most important areas of focus to come from the meetings previously conducted with the NDDA. Administration and programming were two specific areas of focus.

Discussions surrounding administrative issues involved establishing a vision for Nederland’s future, adhering to the Town’s guiding documents, and implementing better collaboration with the Town’s goals.

Discussions on programming issues involved how the NDDA can better support businesses, better provide improvements to their jurisdiction, and how the Authority can communicate better.

Correll facilitated Board members in establishing goals as to how the NDDA can better collaborate with Town officials, in an effort to prepare for a joint work session between the NDDA and the Board of Trustees (BOT).

Trustee Tania Corvalan suggested DCI provide recommended code changes in consideration of reducing blight and enforcing the Town’s specific ideals for downtown developments. Scott Papich wished to use the work session as an opportunity to establish the distinction between an NDDA project and a BOT project, in order to indicate where there is overlap and chance for collaboration.

There was a brief discussion concerning whether the joint work session with the BOT should be scheduled before or after the April 2 municipal election. As no final decision was made, the work session is tentatively scheduled for March 12, though the date may change.

On January 10, the NDDA approved a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an Event Coordinator to manage the Summer Concert Series. After the release of the RFP, there were two applicants for the position by the February 12 deadline: Stephanie Andelman and Time Served Productions Group.

The coordinator is expected to work with the NDDA in recruiting musical acts and creating a program schedule for six concerts to take place in different locations across Nederland from Saturday, May 24 to Saturday, September 21. These tentative dates have yet to be confirmed.

In addition to being the founder and organizer of Nederland Jazz & Wine Festival, Andelman has organized for, and in some cases promoted and emceed, several local events, including the Nederland Farmers Market, Frozen Dead Guy Days (FDGD), and Nederdays.

Andelman has also worked in collaboration with several local organizations, such as Eldora, Peak to Peak Endurance, and TEENS, Inc.

Peter Fiori, Danny Hackett, Silas Herman, Mandy Kneer, Danny Shafer, and Kimba Stefane are Nederland business owners and residents who have recently formed Time Served Productions Group.

Their combined experience includes music production for NedFest, FDGD, and Salmonfest, as well as concert series and events all across the Front Range. Members of Time Served have worked or are working as the office manager for Leftover Salmon, the owner and systems designer at Sweetwave Audio, and the owner and operator of The Caribou Room.

Masingale reiterated that the aim of the concert series is to determine the best location for a potential outdoor performance space. NDDA Vice Chair Andrew Dewart added that the project will also foster relationships with event coordinators and performers so that, if and when a performance space is constructed, a summer concert series can become self-sustaining without funding from the Authority.

Board members asked each applicant questions about the logistics of using particular areas around Nederland for the projected six summer concerts, from Barker Meadows to Guercio Park, Chipeta Park, and the Farmers Market lot.

There was also discussion about which applicant could provide better service with the available budget of $50,000. Andelman stated that she could successfully organize and manage four to five concerts with that budget, though she would provide much more marketing expertise. Time Served stated they could organize and manage all six concerts asked for by the NDDA, and could provide more staging and equipment without the need to rent from third-party providers.

Parks Manager Nicki Dunn asked for both applicants to consider that, regardless of who is awarded the contract, the condition of Nederland’s public parks needs to be respected and maintained. Town Administrator Miranda Fisher also reiterated that despite the NDDA having selected locations for the concerts, the hired event coordinator would need to submit plans in order to obtain Town approval on the use of the public land.

NDDA Chair Ron Mitchell and Treasurer Steve Rowntree both abstained from voting due to conflicts of interest. The Authority voted to approve Time Served Productions Group as the event coordinator for the summer concert series.

Board Members were tasked with voting on an RFP to be released for the creation of a mural on one of three buildings in Nederland. Local artists are being asked to submit samples of their work, a letter of interest, and professional references.

The Southeast and/or Southwest concrete pillars of the Kathmandu Restaurant building at 110 North Jefferson Street is one of the possible mural locations, with a projected budget of $3,050 for a 150-square foot mural. The North or Northeast walls of The Mountain-Ear’s building at 98 West 1st Street, is another possible location, with a projected budget of $4,670 for a 240-square foot mural.

The Flower Collective at 91 Big Springs Drive is another suggested location for a public art project, with the projected budget of $9,350 for a 500-square foot mural. The owners of the recommended locations have tentatively agreed to their buildings being a part of the NDDA’s public art initiative.

The RFP also included a possible timeline, stating that the artist(s) will be selected by the Authority on May 1, with preliminary designs to be delivered by June 1. The mural is expected to be completed by September 30.

Board member Barbara Hardt abstained from voting due to a conflict of interest. The RFP was officially approved.

The Authority revisited their discussion of the 2024 Beautification budget after a proposal to use $26,000 for two seasonal employees to assist with trash pickup, and a complaint from a business owner, prompted a discussion about adding a trash can to the budget.

Parks Manager Dunn specified that a new bear proof trash and recycling receptacle to match the others already stationed around Town would cost $5,000 plus the cost of concrete and the Town staff hours to pour it. Dunn noted that the cost was unnecessary with the addition of the seasonal employees to assist with trash pick up, and wanted to adhere to the philosophy of “more hands, less cans.”

Mitchell stated that he felt one more trash can was not enough to solve downtown Nederland’s trash problem, and that a better longterm plan needed to be developed and implemented. Hardt noted that such a plan should be developed and brought to the table during 2025 budget discussions.

The Nederland Downtown Development Authority meets the second Wednesday of every month. Their next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at 6 p.m. and will be held online as well as in person at the Nederland Community Center.

For more information go to: https:// townofnederland.colorado.gov/ downtown-development-authority.