The Durango Business Improvement District (BID), in cooperation with the City of Durango, La Plata Economic Development Action Partnership (LEAD) and members of the private sector, has selected Boulder-based RRC Associates to complete a comprehensive Market Assessment and Downtown Management Plan.
The BID solicited RFPs from throughout the country before ultimately selecting RRC Associates. A market research and planning firm, RRC is nationally recognized for its extensive experience in research, land use and economic planning and public facilitation. Durango’s project will be managed by Nolan Rosall and Angela Atkinson.
 “We received no local response to our request for proposals,” said Jasper Welch, BID coordinator. “The good news is that this is a Colorado-based firm, plus Senior Research Analyst Angela Atkinson lives in Pagosa Springs and sits on the Town Council and Planning Commission there. Nolan Rosall is the former director of planning for the City of Boulder.”
An outgrowth of the Downtown Vision and Strategic Plan adopted by City Council in 2006, the market assessment and management plan is intended as part of the effort to help sustain the economic viability of the Business Improvement District, which includes North Main in addition to the Historic Downtown. A primary objective will be identifying short and long term sustainable business strategies and action-oriented tactics.
According to the BID, the study will be completed in two phases. The first phase, currently underway, is the Market Assessment, which encompasses a downtown market analysis, identification of local economic trends and user groups, the segregation of local resident and tourist economic impacts, quantification of sales “leakage” and brand positioning.
“A combination of surveys, stakeholder meetings and economic analysis will provide the data necessary to complete this first phase of work,” said Atkinson. “For the survey portion, we will have trained individuals, or ‘Ambassadors,’ out on the street talking to both locals and guests. The method we employ will enable us to secure a quality ‘snapshot’ of the entire population.”
Over the coming six months, some 600 surveys will be conducted randomly at different times and locations. The Ambassadors will be highly visible, wearing Downtown hats and shirts, as well as nametags. Approximately 100 surveys are expected to be conducted over Spring Break while skiers are still in town. Questions regarding the Downtown fire will also be included.
The second phase of the project will be development of a Downtown Management Plan, which, based on the findings from the market research, is intended to identify an organizational structure, financing plan and implementation plan with phasing and roles/responsibilities identification.
“A market analysis helps existing businesses understand their market area, consumers and opportunities,” said John Wells, BID presiding officer. “The analysis should help describe the economic potential of the Downtown and North Main, and allow the independent businesses and property owners to come together, share data and work collectively to improve the business environment. The assessment will be designed to be a roadmap for now and well into the future.”
For further information regarding the project, or to view ongoing updates, visit the BID website or contact Atkinson, 970-946-5261. |