NEDERLAND - The Nederland Downtown Development Authority (NDDA) discussed their Wayfinding project on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. The accessibility initiative, aiming at providing the Town with informational signage, was heavily criticized by some...
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NEDERLAND - The Nederland Downtown Development Authority (NDDA) discussed their Wayfinding project on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. The accessibility initiative, aiming at providing the Town with informational signage, was heavily criticized by some members of the public who attended the meeting.
The NDDA Wayfinding Committee has received three bids for the fabrication and installation of directional and informational signage that is intended to guide tourists to Nederland’s attractions.
Two bidders, Arapahoe Sign Arts, and Altitude Signs and Geograph Industries Inc., submitted proposals within the Authority’s desired budget of $290,000 for the project. Executive Director Kate Masingale asked Board members for approval on tentative interview dates with the two candidates.
Trustee Tania Corvalan, liaison to the NDDA, asked for a clear and up-to-date planning document that includes the total number of signs to be installed, the cost for each sign, and their locations, as she believed that several of the signs were planned for outside the Authority’s jurisdiction.
Corvalan asked specifically about the $22,000 cost for four informational kiosks she presumed were planned to be installed. She also questioned how much outreach had been done to residents and to local business owners.
Wayfinding Committee and NDDA Board Member Steve Karowe stated that the project has been an ongoing process and that the Authority and Board of Trustees have been frequently updated along the way. Karowe also specified that the plan is for only two kiosks to be installed.
Masingale noted that the latest update of the Wayfinding and Signage System Phase 1 Version 2 document, drafted by hired firm Merje, had been submitted to the Board at a recent meeting, though a specific date was not immediately included.
The fifth update of the document was included in Board members’ packets for their meeting on November 13, 2024; it includes placement guidelines, construction details, and “design intent drawings,” originally created in July of 2024, of the vehicular, residential, and parking signage, as well as two pedestrian informational kiosks, and a business directory sign.
The document can be viewed here: https://nederlandco.civicweb.net/document/116644/Nederland_CO_Documentation_V5_07.03.24.pdf?handle=B3C3D163206C468F870EE764D3EC7F48 .
Masingale explained that there was a delay in the design process in order to include the font and colors chosen for the Town’s Branding and Identity project; she added that all members of the NDDA were previously invited to walk with Merje to the proposed sites for sign installation.
Many of Corvalan’s questions echoed those asked by members of the public in emails, who also expressed their displeasure both on social media and in person at the meeting during public comment.
The comments included concerns about the cost of the project, especially in relation to the Town’s own strained budget; complaints about the lack of creativity in the uniform sign designs; suggestions of an app or physical map as opposed to kiosks; and mention of waiting for Ron Mitchell, majority property owner for downtown Nederland, to bring forward his redevelopment plan.
Another member of the public expressed confusion at attempting to locate an updated plan for the project, especially on the NDDA’s website. That commenter mentioned seeing 56 signs and three informational kiosks on a map, which shows many of the signs being located outside of the central business district.
The NDDA spent a majority of the discussion responding to the public comments, which resulted in further commenting from the public, as they pushed Karowe and Masingale to show them the most up-to-date plan, including a map, and to prove that the map’s legend does not indicate a total of three kiosks.
Karowe specified that one of the kiosks shown is a pedestrian-level sign along the trail leading from the covered bridge to Chipeta Park. He also stated that the signs on the map that are located outside of the Authority’s jurisdiction are recommended by Merje for a potential Phase Three of the Wayfinding project.
NDDA Chair Andrew Dewart recognized how the project could seem to many residents to represent an “existential shift” for the Town of Nederland, which resulted in pushback from the public. Several individuals stated that they believed the issue to be more economic than emotional.
Dewart answered the concerns over the nearly $300,000 cost for 25 signs, stating that, though construction costs are high, the initiative is expected to increase traffic to Nederland’s businesses and to bring in more sales tax revenue to the Town.
Before deciding on when to host the interviews, Board Member Everett Nielsen specified that the signs must adhere to the federal standards set by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which dictates why Merje must design their signs to be clear, concise, and uniform, as well as 80% retroreflective, to mitigate the possibility that the glare of the metal might cause fires.
Board Member Scott Papich noted that Arapahoe Sign Arts and Altitude Signs indicated on their application that their liability insurance was expired by six months. Dewart stated his opinion that the issue is not an “immediate red flag,” and could even be a clerical error.
The NDDA voted to invite a third bidder, E3 Signs, a Colorado-based business who came in $40,000 higher than the Authority’s preferred $290,000 budget. All three applicants will be interviewed on January 14.
The NDDA also voted on the two candidates for the Event Coordinator position for the 2025 Summer Concert Series.
In a repeat of last year, the two finalists for the position came down to Stephanie Andelman, as Stephnet, and Peter Fiori, this time around as Sweetwave Audio.
Fiori and his production team, Time Served, managed the first of the Authority’s Summer Concert Series last year, which was met with high praise from the community.
According to the Agenda Information Memorandum, two NDDA Board members and Executive Director Masingale formed a committee to review the applications for the position. Based on the proposals and on the committee’s scoring system, Stephnet was the candidate recommended to the Authority.
As the score cards were not included in the meeting packet, Karowe asked for clarification on the scoring committee’s desired structure for the proposals and for the marketing plan. Masingale answered that the proposals and marketing plan were scored on their thoroughness and on whether they met the requirements specified in the Request for Proposal, which the Authority approved in November.
Both candidates for the position were present for the meeting, and Board members had questions regarding marketing, the possibility of alcohol sales, and the percentage of the budget that each candidate intends to spend on talent.
Fiori stated that he intends to spend close to 80% on “talent and production” for the 2025 series, though he added that those numbers are often verified for certain acts at the last minute. Fiori added that he could implement some of the “great marketing ideas” that were presented in Andelman’s proposal.
Before the next question was asked, Town Administrator Jonathan Cain expressed that he was uncomfortable with the Authority not asking Andelman the same question.
Andelman answered that 38% of the total $60,000 budget will go to talent, with another 29% going to production, 25% going to “concert series management,” which includes administrative work, and 8% for marketing. Andelman also noted that she may not have been asked the same question because she answered it initially in her proposal.
Fiori stated that, due to the success of the first series, he expected to be awarded the event coordinator position again automatically.
“We probably were stupid and jumped the gun and we kinda thought we were going to get it again; that being said, we’ve got some really great artists on the hook,” Fiori said.
Fiori wished to give a presentation in addition to the proposal that the NDDA had already requested. Board members agreed to allow each candidate to give a presentation after the impromptu interview.
Board Member Danielle Crouse asked each candidate if there was anything the NDDA could ask of the event coordinator that would be considered a “deal breaker.”
Fiori expressed his certainty that there would not be any deal breakers for Sweetwave Audio, and that his team would do whatever the Authority asked, within reason, specifying that if Board members asked them to book Bob Dylan, they would express the improbability of meeting that request.
Andelman answered that there could be factors imposed by the NDDA resulting in a deal breaker, especially in terms of how the event’s success is measured and perceived.
“The conversations can occur about specifics, like the level of talent, the budget allocation, and the required reporting, the alcohol or no alcohol sales, and those could all factor into it not working out to be successful for either side,” Andelman said.
“This is about bringing fun, free events and helping the downtown businesses, and if I can’t accomplish that because of certain requirements from the NDDA then I would back out.”
Masingale asked if each candidate was expecting to return to the NDDA with a request for an additional $1,000 in funding. Andelman stated in her proposal that her team would be requesting the extra funds. Fiori and Masingale ended up disagreeing over the amount that Time Served received last year, with Fiori stating that they only received $3,000 from the Authority because they “ran out of money.”
Masingale stated that Time Served received $6,000 in extra funds for the 2024 Summer Concert Series. Neither party was able to verify their accounts during the meeting.
As per Fiori’s request, each candidate gave a five minute presentation, starting with Andelman, who introduced a representative from Peak Performances as a member of her team, who specified much of the equipment Peak Performances owns and will source for the series.
Fiori’s prepared presentation consisted of comparing his own equipment to that which was listed by Andelman’s team, calling their equipment “not up to snuff.”
Fiori followed that by passionately emphasizing that Sweetwave Audio is a Nederland brick and mortar business that pays taxes to the Town and employs Town residents.
The same members of the public who commented about the Wayfinding project sent in emails and made more in-person comments either promoting Fiori because of his successes, or because of being opposed to Andelman personally.
After the NDDA voted unanimously to approve Sweewave Audio as the Event Coordinator for the 2025 Summer Concert Series, the meeting was delayed due to “a lot of noise in the room.” Online viewers and voting members of the Board waited until Chair Dewart resumed the meeting.
During the “other business” portion of the meeting, Papich addressed what he considered a major issue regarding public engagement at the Authority’s most recent Nederland Economic Vitality Meeting.
“I’m going to suggest to this group that we implement a three-minute rule on comments at that meeting,” Papich said. “The meeting was overrun by a very few number of people and it precluded people who were there for a constructive reason; it was disruptive and kind of chaotic and wasn’t really productive.”
Both Crouse and Masingale agreed with Papich’s assessment of the meeting, stating their personal feeling that the community should be “mindful and respectful” when addressing issues directly with those serving them. Masingale added that, though a more structured approach was attempted, the meeting still “went off the rails” quickly.
Town Administrator Cain reiterated his belief, from ten years of experience running similar outreach, that these more formal meetings will run more smoothly if those with “deep-set issues” are allowed to express their dissatisfaction. Cain also recommended a local mediator to attend meetings and help assure everyone is heard and that no one is monopolizing the meeting disingenuously.
The final business of the meeting was from NDDA Vice Chair Barbara Hardt, who submitted her letter of resignation.
“After careful consideration of many personal issues happening in my life right now, I have decided I need to resign from the Nederland Downtown Development Authority. I have enjoyed the time I have spent on the DDA and feel we made progress on some projects in and around town. I am optimistic you will find someone with more time available than I currently can commit to.
“I thank each of you for your continued contributions to the board, the Town of Nederland, and the greater Peak to Peak community.”
Board members thanked Hardt for her service on the Authority.
“Thanks for all your efforts and time over the years,” Karowe said. “I’ve really valued your input on the board.”
The Nederland Downtown Development Authority meets the second Wednesday of every month. Their next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 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.