 | ||
 | ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| Durango BID Releases Report | ||
| Indiana Reed | 7/21/10 | ||
| ||
| Back to the News Summaries | ||
| ||
| Results of the Durango Business Improvement District (BID) survey of district constituents are now available for review. According to Angela Atkinson of Atkinson Consulting, who conducted the survey, the final report indicates a general support of the BID’s efforts and activities, and signaled a “vote of confidence” that the organization is on the right track. “Over the past couple of years we conducted a two-phase market assessment that identified local economic and user groups, and quantified our sales ‘leakage,’ among other vital data,” said John Wells, BID presiding officer. “This third step enabled us to gather data from the property owners and leaseholders in the BID – which includes the Downtown area, but also North Main. This input was perhaps the most important we have received and has allowed us to move forward with the mill levy renewal vote in the fall.”  Based on the data, the BID board of directors has agreed to pursue renewal of the district’s mill levy. Ballots will be mailed to property and business owners, as well as residents within the district, on Oct. 1. Deadline for return of the ballots is Nov. 2. Though the ballot question will not be finalized until July 23, options expected to be posed based on the results of the constituent survey are to renew the mill levy for 10 or 20 years at the same level, 1.5 mills, or increase it by an additional .5 mills. The latter would allow BID to take its activities to a next level, as was requested by respondents in the constituent survey. The 1.5 mills, which voting members of the BID approved in 2003, has funded the BID’s activities and investments over the past seven years. Projects have ranged from small infrastructure purchases (such as the new business directories and cigarette urns), to grants for Downtown events, to “branding” of the Downtown – the “heart” of Durango – with, for example, promotional maps, merchandising bags, an informational web site and BID graphic identity. “Everything has gone forward with an eye on spurring activity, tourism and business in the BID,” said Wells. According to the constituent survey respondents, which were evenly divided between property owners and leaseholders, an actual understanding of the BID structure and its responsibilities was mixed, though most noted that the organization was strong in branding and special events and spurring “activity” Downtown. Not surprisingly, most property owners were more interested in long term investments in the district, with leaseholders hoping the BID would play a stronger role in immediate day-to-day needs such as parking and restrooms. Most respondents recognized that the BID cannot actually initiate or fund large capital projects, but constituents are looking toward the BID to have a louder advocacy voice with the city of Durango, and act as a unifying body among all pertinent entities to promote projects such as a parking structure, pedestrian corridor and economic development. Those returning the written surveys and contributing at the two organized focus groups also expressed a desire for BID to facilitate two-way dialogue between the organization and constituents. “The board sees this as certainly feasible. We want to hear from our constituents,” said Wells. “Going forward, we expect to hold town halls or timely open forums, giving constituents an opportunity to voice ideas and opinions.” The complete 35-page constituent research report prepared by Atkinson Associates, can be reviewed or downloaded from the BID’s web site. “Loaner” hard copies of the report are also available at the BID office, 1199 Main Ave., Suite 210. For further information, contact the BID office, 970.375.5067. The Durango Business Improvement District was formed in 1997 with a goal and mission to support businesses within the District by assisting with special event marketing, providing research on topics of concern to the District (facilities, special events, best practices), planning and development of new facilities, and providing capital budget for equipment that enhances business in the District. Funding is generated by a 1.5 mill levy on property owners within the district, with additional marketing dollars contributed by the City of Durango and Durango Area Tourism Office. BID Board members are John Wells, presiding officer; Bob Allen, Karen Barger, Rod Barker and Tim Wheeler. | ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| Visit the Pagosa Daily Post |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
