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2 16 WELTON CORRIDOR PROPERTY OWNERS PONDER A BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
John clears snow from his small greenhouse to allow the sun to shine on his winter spinach. PHOTO BY JEFF HERSCH By J. Patrick O’Lear Five Points Business District will decide whether to ask property owners of the Welton Street Corridor to help form a Business or General Improvement District in early March, once it finishes interviewing and surveying stakeholders about their needs, wants and support. “We’re literally in phase one,” said FPBD Executive Director Tracy Winchester. “We’re asking, ‘What’s the appetite here?’… ‘Would you support it if we were able to put this together?’” Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and General Im-
DENVER CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH
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provement Districts (GIDs) are government-like organizations formed by property owners to enhance the environment of a business district or neighborhood with services and improvements. The services and improvements are in addition to, and do not replace, existing city services. BIDs can provide capital improvements, marketing, maintenance, economic development, public safety, planning, special events and parking management, and are funded through assessments on commercial property. GIDs finance capital improvements and maintenance, but can levy assessments on residential as well as com-
By Jason McKinney Denver has a strong, important presence when it comes to racial diversity and not only is that reflected each year with the MLK, Jr. Memorial Marade in January, but in February for Black History Month as well. There are many events in Denver that commemorate the role of Black Americans in the settling of the American West and the nation as a whole. Many of the places that are locations for these events are places of learning that can and should be visited year-round, not just during the shortest month of the year. People’s Presbyterian Church, 2780 York, will be hosting a Black History Film Series for the entire month and admission to all films is free, show time is 12 noon. Titles include: Amistad – Feb. 6 Black and White – Feb. 13 Remember the Titans– Feb. 20
@DenverLifeNews facebook.com/ mercial property. #NeighborhoodLens neighborhoodlife Winchester said state law requires approval of those owning a majority (“50 percent plus 1”) of the total acreage and total value of property within the boundaries of the proposed district. Existing BIDs in Denver include the Santa Fe Arts District, Downtown Denver, RiNo Arts District, East and West Colfax and Cherry Creek North. GIDs have been established on 14th Street in Downtown Denver and the RiNo neighborhood. Last year FPBD hired Progressive Urban Management Associates (PUMA) to perform a feasibility study on forming a BID in the Welton corridor – the commercial strip of Welton from 20th to 30th and Downing – although the proposed boundaries have not been determined yet. “We started the process in 2009, came up with a vision plan and strategic plan as well,” explained Winchester. “Frankly what we’ve been saying all along is we just want to be able to execute the vision plan for the neighborhood.” Five Points Business District is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed in 2009, focusing on business development, cultural promotion & preservation, and “the greater good” in the Welton corridor, but it is not a BID. And although its official title is the Five Points Historic District, the city’s historic district designation covering the stretch of Welton between 24th and 30th is not related. “Now we have development, and we want to be sure things continue and to provide amenities or services people want. In order to make that happen, you need to have a well-organized group of people come together” – usually a BID or GID, she said. FPBD has neither the funds nor mission to provide services or make improvements. To that end, FPBD introduced PUMA to local busicontinued on page 7
War Room – Feb. 27 All films take place on Saturdays at noon and are followed by a short discussion. For more information, go to peoplespres.org. The Blair-Caldwell and African-American Research Library, 2401 Welton, has several options celebrating Black American History, which include the following: • The Colorado Women’s Hall Of Fame Presents: Legacies As Tall As Mountains, on display from Feb. 1-29. This exhibit honors Colorado’s African American female Trailblazers (19852015). Inductees featured in the exhibit include: Clara Brown, Lauren Young Casteel, Oleta Lawanda Crain, Evie Dennis, EdD, Fannie Mae Duncan, Justina Ford, MD, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Hattie McDaniels, Reynelda Muse, Rachel Bassette Noel, Cleo Parker Robinson, Pauline Short Robinson, Gloria Travis Tanner, continued on page 2
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