The Nederland Downtown Development Authority (NDDA) met on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at 6 p.m. to discuss the next steps for the proposed outdoor performance space project.

NDDA Executive Director Kate Masingale presented a proposal from JVA, Nederland’s engineering consulting firm, on the scope of work and associated fees required for a floodplain study of the portion of Guercio Field that is proposed for the construction of an outdoor performance space.

Nederland’s current floodplain map indicates that roughly two-thirds of the proposed site for the performance space, between Guercio Field and Barker Reservoir, is within the floodplain. The Performance Space Committee, headed by Board of Trustees liaison to the NDDA Tania Corvalan and NDDA Vice Chair Andrew Dewart, requires assistance from JVA to fully understand the construction limitations with the selected site.

The proposal detailed the scope of work as involving the initial investigation of the proposed site, a floodplain analysis and investigation on potential drainage issues, and the production of design plans and schematics for the proposed performance space.

JVA has provided a quote of $5,500 for the cost of the initial investigation, hydraulic analysis, and schematic designs, and an additional $2,500 for a survey allowance, totaling $8,000. The supplemental funds for the $8,000 cost to the Town was approved by the NDDA on August 10, 2022. JVA stated in the proposal that they could begin work on this project immediately and predict four weeks to complete the promised assessments.

The NDDA approved a motion to make the discussion about the proposal from JVA into an Action Item in order for Board members to vote to approve the proposal and have JVA begin work. The proposal was then unanimously approved.

NDDA Chair Barbara Hardt addressed the group about a funding request from Town Administrator Miranda Fisher and the Town of Nederland to cover the expense of hiring crossing guards for Halloween.

Town Staff have reached out and received a quote from Peaceful Security for two traffic control personnel to assist young trick-or-treaters crossing the road into Old Town between the Visitors Center and the Carousel of Happiness. The crossing guards would cost $57.50 per hour for a four- to five-hour shift on Halloween night, Monday, October 31.

The NDDA voted to approve the motion of making the discussion on funding for Halloween traffic control into an Action Item, then voted to approve the funding needed to hire personnel from Peaceful Security.

The NDDA went over their member and committee reports. Masingale was excited to report that the Big Springs Parking Project, which involves construction of new parking spaces on Big Springs Drive in front of the Black Forest building, is near completion. Work with Xcel Energy on lowering a gas line, which is required for completion of the parking project, is expected to commence after a pre-construction meeting between Edge Construction LLC and Xcel Energy on October 19.

Dewart wished to discuss the role of the NDDA in funding the Frozen Dead Guy Days (FDGD) festival during the Other Business portion of their meeting. Hardt and Masingale noted that FDGD organizers have yet to release any public information on the future of the festival, and that the NDDA would be discussing future and past FDGD festivals as well as the funding process during their upcoming November meeting.

Board members raised concerns about the funds provided by the NDDA to festival organizers to pay vendors for specific services, such as traffic control. Fisher echoed the Board members’ concerns about needing to tighten the funding process, in regard to monitoring third-party organizers as to how and when they pay vendors with the NDDA-provided funds.

The Nederland Downtown Development Authority meets the second Wednesday of every month. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, November 9, starting 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/ government/boards-and-commissions/ downtown-development-authority