Economic Vitality Committee Agenda and Packet 2024 02 16

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Economic Vitality Committee Meeting Minutes January 26, 2024 Page 2 of 5 Program and Property Improvement Program have $250,000 allocated in the LR's 2024 budget. 7. Discussion/Direction — Temporary Main Street Closure for 2024: Specialist Brown summarized of the Downtown Business Association's request to temporarily close Main Street in 2024. Brown also gave an overview of the City's previous Main Street closures in 2020 and 2021, background info on the efforts involved in the previous closures, and pitched an example of what a potential 2024 closure could look like. Chair Dickinson wondered what the EVC's role might be in discussing the closure. Dickinson concluded that the EVC can identify an implementation date, which would allow staff to work backwards on the closure with that date in mind. He also hoped that staff would ask any questions that they have currently identified around the closure to the EVC. City Manager Durbin added that staff may need a couple of weeks following the approval of a plan to actually implement the closure, as closing the street will involve equipment, fixtures and coordination with staff. Manager Zarate noted that she participated in a conversation with Fire regarding their requirements for access during the closure. She noted that they requested at least 20' of street with no permanent fixtures. Zarate added that the Main Street right-of-way is approximately 42'. Manager Durbin asked for clarification around the DASH bus. Staff confirmed that the bus operated on LaFarge during the previous closures in 2020 and 2021. Durbin also asked about emergency access on Front Street during special events. Brown clarified that both the Street Faire and Farmers Marker agreed to a plan in 2021 that met emergency access requirements. Director Zuccaro confirmed that staff's next steps will include meetings with stakeholders (including Fire and Police) to identify a couple of different options to determine how much equipment will be needed. Staff will also continue to discuss the closure with RTD in hopes of identifying an alternative route that works for more parties in the long-term. Staff confirmed that starting the closure in late April should be feasible. With that in mind, Councilmember Kern recommended that the closure begin on Earth Day (April 22) so that there is a reason to celebrate the closure. Manager Durbin recommended that the closure return to the EVC in February, and then advance to City Council on March 19. This schedule should give staff enough time to implement the closure in late April. Chair Dickinson confirmed that we would like to see the closure last through the first week of November. Agenda Packet P. 4