The Nederland Downtown Development Authority (NDDA) completed several improvement projects for the benefit of the Central Business District (CBD) in 2023. In addition to producing public art initiatives, providing beautification, and providing special event funding and traffic control support, the Authority contracted for assistance in strategy development to enact their established five-year plan. They also continued work on the town-wide Wayfinding project.

The following is a recapitulation of what the NDDA has accomplished throughout 2023.

On January 11, 2023, the Authority began the year by approving the Beautification Committee’s budget of $30,000 and approving the 41-foot by 15-foot west-facing wall of the Mountain People’s Co-op building for a 615 square-foot mural. They also approved $8,500 in funds to cover the main attractions for the new Town festival, Nederdays, which was held in late March.

During their meeting on February 8, the NDDA authorized the budgets for all of their committees, including $30,000 for beautification, $20,000 for public art, $30,000 for traffic and safety, and $10,000 for special events. Board members also approved accepting the bid from Kape Roofing and Exteriors for $29,209.81 to repair the roof of Nederland’s covered pedestrian bridge.

The Authority also heard an update from the Wayfinding committee, the town-wide walkability and accessibility initiative, concerning the placement of signage which showcases Nederland’s points of interest and available parking.

The NDDA continued to hear updates on the progress of the Nederdays festival through February and March, and during their meeting on April 12 they received a financial overview that detailed the success and shortcomings of the first year of the festival.

Also on April 12, the Authority chose local artist Jessica Moon Bernstein to create the mural on the Mountain People’s Co-op building. They also approved $6,540 for a collaborative project between the public art committee, TEENS, Inc., and the Mountain Forum for Youth to create six decorative picnic tables.

The NDDA approved enforcing a $1,000 cap on special event funding. They agreed to provide a letter of support and the 50% match funding for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant for the replacement of the rock and sand sidewalks on Snyder Street, 2nd Street, and East Street.

Board members also approved up to $10,000 for design plans from American Ramp Company for a bicycle pump track at Chipeta Park.

On May 10, the NDDA approved special event funding for the Nederland Jazz & Wine Festival, for the Nederland Farmer’s Market Party in the Peaks, and for the 4th Fridays event series at the Caribou Village Shopping Center. The $50,000 budget for an outdoor performance space project was authorized by allowing funding of $8,000 to be allocated to JVA for a preliminary assessment of the proposed area for the performance space, north of the water treatment plant at Barker Reservoir.

During their meeting on June 14, the NDDA heard an update from the Wayfinding Committee concerning a meeting with contracted design firm Merje about the proposed signage locations, as well as an update from JVA concerning the performance space location, which indicated that the proposed area is within a floodplain.

The NDDA also approved Bernstein’s design for the Mountain People’s Co-op mural, heard a presentation on the Town of Nederland taking part in Colorado Tourism Office’s Reimagine Destinations program, and agreed to the Town managing the repaving project for the Visitors Center and North Jefferson Street, which the NDDA will fund for $139,000 and $85,000 respectively.

On July 12, before participating in a work session to identify and prioritize the focus for the Authority moving forward into 2024 and over the next five years, the NDDA appointed the positions of Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer for a one-year term.

The current NDDA roster includes Ron Mitchell serving as Chair, Andrew Dewart as Vice Chair, Steve Rowntree as Treasurer, with Danielle Crouse, Barbara Hardt, Steve Karowe, Scott Papich, and Catherine Valen all serving as board members. Trustee Tania Corvalan is the Board of Trustees liaison, and Kate Masingale is the Executive Director.

Board members continued their discussion of their five-year strategic plan during a work session on August 3. On August 9, the NDDA denied a proposal to schedule two meetings monthly, as well as a proposal to permit voting by proxy. They reached an impasse while discussing using the Authority’s $500,000 line of credit to pay their bills.

A Special Meeting was held on August 11 for Board members to hear from Troy Bernberg, a Managing Director for an investment bank based out of Minneapolis, pertaining to the appropriate uses of the NDDA’s line of credit.

On September 13, the NDDA approved special event funding for the Peak Vibes concert at Train Cars Coffee and Kava, and for the Nederland Farmers Market Harvest Festival. The Authority also approved their 2024 budget, approved using their line of credit to pay bills, and approved the Wayfinding committee moving forward into Phase Two of their project with Merje and the final proof of the signage map.

Through approval of their 2024 budget the NDDA also cemented their prioritized goals for the next five years by budgeting for “high impact, high effort” projects including the continuation of Wayfinding, the development of a summer concert series, of a River Walk along the creek, and the creation of a more comprehensive evaluation system for awarding special event funding.

In addition to approving their five-year plan, the Authority also approved contracting with Downtown Colorado Inc. (DCI) for $12,500 for the development of financial strategies for each of the NDDA’s set goals.

The discussion of the draft criteria with which the Authority would gauge applications for special event funding was continued through September and was tabled during the October 11 meeting. A discussion concerning the NDDA having hired unlicensed and unqualified traffic flaggers for the 2023 leaf peeping season was also tabled, as was a discussion regarding appointing members to a new Parking Committee.

On November 8, Board members attended a Work Session with DCI concerning their scope of work and timeline for upcoming meetings and deliverable results.

On December 13 the Authority approved using their line of credit to pay the $23,594.87 needed for the intergovernmental agreement with the Nederland Fire Protection District. They also approved special event funding for one more 4th Friday at the Caribou Village Shopping Center, and for HubNed’s upcoming funders events.

In total, for 2023 the NDDA completed the Big Springs parking project, the covered bridge roof repair, the Mountain People’s Co-op mural, the covered bridge art restoration, and the Visitors Center repaving, which the Authority funded. Additionally, the NDDA provided funds for several of Nederland’s biggest events, while continuing work on their larger capital improvement projects, such as Wayfinding.

The Nederland Downtown Development Authority meets the second Wednesday of every month. Their next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 10, 2024, 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.