Hope Jordan, Executive Director. The Nederland Downtown Development Authority (NDDA) is a special district entity authorized by Colorado State Statute Title 31 to benefit the economic vitality of the downtown area. In 2005, the Town of Nederland Board of Trustees formalized the NDDA in Ordnance 599, citing:  

The Board of Trustees of the Town of Nederland, Colorado, believes that it is prudent and necessary to establish a Downtown Development Authority for the public health, safety, prosperity, security, and welfare in order to halt or prevent deterioration of property values or structures within the downtown area, and to assist in the planning, development, and redevelopment of the downtown area, and that the establishment of the Downtown Development Authority will be of special benefit to the property within the boundaries of the authority. 

The final version of the NDDA Master Plan was adopted in 2017 after an extensive review by the district members, the public, and town boards. The Plan focuses on policy direction established by the Town of Nederland 2013 Comprehensive Plan update, and aligns with the Board of Trustees’ goals and the previously approved Nederland Vision 2020 plan. 

It is organized into two categories -- Capital Projects and District Programs. Capital Projects focus on improvements to the NDDA district’s physical environment, including street/sidewalk improvements, building improvements, parking and traffic flow projects, construction of public venues and amenities, and new commercial development and redevelopment. District Programs contribute to the vibrancy of downtown by focusing on areas such as circulation, beautification, events and programming, and business services.

The NDDA Board of Directors met in October of 2020 to strategically plan project priorities funded through the November 2017 voter approved Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Entering 2021, the NDDA is partnering with Merje Design to create essential wayfinding signage, funding the rehabilitation of Jefferson Street and the Visitor Center parking lot, engaging design and engineering plans for parking on Big Springs Drive, enhancing beautification in the district, supporting special events, developing business incentives, creating an NDDA Financial Policy, and updating the NDDA website and business directory.

For grant year 2020, the NDDA’s Tourism and Recreation Program (TARP) received Boulder County Economic Development funding of $11,475 to continue to foster economic development in the western portions of Boulder County and to support micro and small businesses with technical assistance, trainings, networking, and information and resources dissemination. Deliverables include providing funds to the Nederland Farmers Market, supporting tourism and communication at The Old Gallery in Allenspark, providing support for Discover Nederland, supporting the monthly Women’s Entrepreneurial Group, and providing funds during Covid to the Ned-to-Go website. The NDDA hopes to receive further funding in 2021 to continue assisting Peak to Peak businesses.

(Originally published in the January 7, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)