Business Retention and Development Committee Agenda and Packet 2015 11 02

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Business Retention & Development Committee Meeting Minutes October 5, 2015 Page 2 of 3 None were scheduled. Economic Development Director DeJong reports that Moxie is doing well. Concrete work is affecting downtown businesses. Council member Jeff Lipton asked if BRaD should initiate some visits before the holidays. Commissioner Angell said the Chamber will be doing a Shop Local campaign. Angell said local clothing and gift shops (downtown) are struggling. Those businesses feel the City is focused on restaurants. They need more daytime traffic. Commissioner Menaker feels there is a misperception that downtown is doing great. Council member Lipton said after the election perhaps BRaD can put together a focus group to look at retail. Commissioner Angell said BRaD can't just focus on downtown retail. Commissioner Menaker said BraD members need to look at past discussions and turn that into policy discussion. Council member Loo said it comes down to more rooftops and residents don't want that. Council member Lipton said DELO and Superior will provide rooftops. CTC should also provide traffic. City Manager Fleming said there are some capital projects we can do to activate the McCaslin area. Commissioner Pritchard said the Small Area Plan is moving forward. Small businesses are tough. BRaD needs a commitment from Council on the direction of the town and we need the Mayor to advertise "Shop Louisville." Council member Lipton said we need to set goals to move things forward. Commissioner Menaker asked about the feasibility of an Economic Development budget. Council member Lipton said asking for a budget place holder without detail will be hard. City Manager Fleming said the City of Golden is advertising in DIA. Commissioner Angell said the City of Lafayette and Superior sent coupon booklets to neighboring municipalities — she will ask about effectiveness. COUNTY ROAD BRIDGE UPDATE: DeJong said Engineer Joliette Woodson reported the City is waiting for federal environmental approval. CDOT will then do final approval. City Manager Fleming said the City has been making the case with the congressional delegation and the federal government that not having the bridge is a safety issue. The bridge should be completed in 9 months. Expecting approvals in two months. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE: 550 S. McCaslin Urban Renewal plan has been approved by Council. Now in LRC hands to develop a project description. Steve Fisher and Alex Gorsevski are working with DeJong to develop the project description. The RFP will be approved by Council. DeJong hopes the result will be a lot of proposals and creative ideas. McCaslin Marketplace has new tenants. Additional tenants will be announced soon. 3