The Nederland Downtown Development Authority (NDDA) met on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 6 p.m. to receive an update from Downtown Colorado Inc. (DCI). The business support non-profit presented their final report and “Board of Directors Management Recommendations.”

The NDDA has been working with DCI since September, 2023, specifically to help synchronize the Authority’s goals with those of the Board of Trustees (BOT), and to assess the Authority’s current priorities as well as the obstacles faced in achieving those goals and priorities.

Kat Correll of DCI led the meeting, presenting their recommendations for Board- and staff-related strategies, including establishing a work plan and updating its development plan. The recommendations also address business services and better business interaction.

Correll began by explaining the purpose of the work DCI has done in forming their recommendations. DCI intends to help the NDDA focus their time and money on projects that will yield results, rather than projects that will mostly result in discussion and deadlock.

The purpose of their recommendations is also to assist the NDDA in navigating bottlenecks within the public process by clarifying the Authority’s relationship with intergovernmental entities, communicating their own plans and processes with the community, and reducing turnover by building positivity and momentum through completing projects that Correll called “easy wins.”

The first recommendations from DCI concerned how the Authority could better align with the Town and other partners, including updating their planning for downtown development, establishing a work plan, and considering projects that would support their partners.

Correll expanded on the recommendation to “establish a work plan,” specifying that the plan would be for the immediate implementation of two to three easily achievable projects, such as increasing the Authority’s own administrative capacity, connecting with local businesses and property owners, and expanding community education as to the NDDA and its operations.

The second list of recommendations concerned Board operations, including narrowing the organization’s vision to focus on feasible outcomes, tightening the process for setting the official agenda, broadening communication and reporting to the public, and engaging with partners to align with their goals.

Regarding the NDDA’s agenda, Correll suggested that the agenda be set by administrative staff and then reviewed by the Chair for approval. It was also suggested to limit the number of discussion and action items listed on each agenda.

The final list from DCI was of staff recommendations concerning business services and interaction, building downtown habits, addressing downtown accessibility, and enhancing communication.

For business services and interaction, DCI recommended hiring more full-time administrative staff, having “on the street” conversations with business owners, increasing public engagement through hosted social events, participating in the meetings of other business-oriented organizations, and creating an E-newsletter.

As for building downtown habits, DCI recommended incentivizing regular business hours for Nederland’s downtown businesses, trying new strategies as test projects, and highlighting local businesses through wayfinding signage, a downtown map, and business and staff profiles in the E-newsletter.

In terms of how the NDDA could address downtown accessibility, DCI recommended creating a parking map, creating more available parking, and enhancing walkability.

Correll noted that it would be valuable for the Town to have a parking study conducted to determine whether Nederland truly has a parking problem or a “perception problem.” Town Administrator Miranda Fisher indicated that a parking plan is being developed within the Multimodal Transportation Plan, in addition to any parking plan being created by the NDDA.

As for how the Authority could enhance its communication, DCI recommended optimizing their website and printed materials to feature downtown businesses and attractions, and providing the community an annual report on the Authority’s progress.

Though the work DCI was hired for has been completed, Correll stated that the NDDA is a member of DCI and can therefore reach out for support or to attend some of DCI’s programs at any time.

“I want to thank you for all of your effort on this project,” NDDA Chair Ron Mitchell said to Correll. “It brings a lot of clarity to us and I think we’ll all benefit greatly from your work.”

DCI and the NDDA will be working with other communities along the Peak to Peak byway to update their corridor advantagement program to include more creative content. Correll added that DCI intends to bolster the byway becoming a creative corridor.

The Nederland Downtown Development Authority meets the second Wednesday of every month. Their next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, 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.