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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcclc.minutes.02042004COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 4~ 2004 Chairperson, Bill Dinsmoor called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Commissioners in attendance: Charles Kennedy, Andrew Kole, Marc Breslin, Mark Goodman and John Starr. Excused were Eric Cohen and Terry Butler. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Steve Barwick, Julie Ann Woods, Jeff Woods, Stan Clauson, Andy Modell Were present to discuss the BID and Aspen Downtown Catalyst position. Steve Barwick, City Manager gave an over view of a BID (Business Improvement District) which was brought up at a worksession with city council. A boundary would need to be drawn up and a certain percentage of the property owners would have to petition the city to set it up the BID. They would be self-assessed. Andrew said the BID becomes a funding mechanism to accomplish all the things we want to do to vitalize Aspen. Andrew mentioned that there are approximately eight property owners in town that would be involve on the vote. Those eight people own most of the buildings in town. John said his concern is getting to. the BID. Business owners and property owners have to get the proper information etc. and possibly a committee called Friends of BID could be established to get out among the different businesses. Andy Model said he operates with a five-year plan and accomplishments for that plan. BID is a mechanism to get to vitality in downtown. Rock bands down town do not generate business. The Friday FAC bands did not generate business. Retailers want business downtown. Stores should not shut down at five o'clock. Stan Clausen said the Sustainability committee recommended a downtown manager to organize the retail community and Provide sustained leadership. There were four headings: Design, organization, promotion, economic restructuring. Downtown catalyst discussion: COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 4, 20i}4 Stan Clanson: The first step Would be to organize and obtain common goals and then decide how to achieve them. Steve Barwick agreed. Mark said we need to empower the catalyst enough to accomplish what they need. We need to be very specific. They need a specific time period and a reporting period that can be measurable. John said we need to work with the property owners to find out what their needs are and he doesn't see that the same person can handle the businesses etc. and property owners. Andy Modell said that catalyst person should not be on a tight leash. We need someone who has Professional knowledge and someone who will be respected by all. They also have to have enough experience to handle a four or five year project. If we have to monitor that person we are hiring the wrong person. Andrew said the first job is to organize the landlords and merchants. Stan said this person has to get out there and meet all businesses etc. and then figure out the distribution of work. You are going to need the catalyst, staff and a technical person to work out the issues. The Catalyst person works with the business people. Barwick said selling the idea to businesses will take at least six months. An ordinance is all that is required to get the BID going. Andy said the retailers bought into everything of Henry Beer and Ford Frick report. John said there is more than retail involved with this vision, this also involves community values. Steve Barwick said we have short-term goals and long-term goals. Short term goals are building fire pits throughout the core, kiosks and tables down the center of the mall. Long-term goal Hire a person to meet with business owners. COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 4; 2004 Figure out how we can merchandise in public areas. Andrew said we need a summer program so that the town is open on the weekend. Bill Dinsmoor said he would work with the Parks Department on the fire pits. Jeff Woods relayed that Blair Elliott will be the staff contact from the Parks Department. Saturday Market Jack D'Orio and the CCLC discussed what applicants would qualify in the market regarding prepared foods to take off site. Staff is working with the Electric Dept. to figure out how we can keep the electric from shorting out dUring the market. The CCLC determined that two previous vendors and two prominent citizens at large would review the applications. Only the CCLC board members would vote. Meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m. Kathleen J. Strickland, Chief Deputy Clerk