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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-04-14 ACE MINUTES• ALLIANCE FOR COMMERCE IN ENGLEWOOD April 14, 2005 I. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Alliance for Commerce in Englewood (ACE) was called to order at 11 :35 a.m. in the City Council Conference Room, Vice-Chair Vasilas presiding. Present: Absent: Cook, Guinther, Lonborg, Vasilas Verbeck, Alternate Member Wolosyn, Council Liaison Woodward, City Councilmember Panetta, Schalk, McDermott (All members gave previous notice of absence) Penning, Chamber of Commerce Liaison Also present: Economic Development Coordinator Hollingsworth Senior Planner Graham II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 10, 2005 • Vice-Chair Vasilas called for consideration of the Minutes of March 10, 2005. Guinther moved: Lonborg seconded: The Minutes of March 10, 2005 be approved as written. The motion carried . III. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION Void Analysis/Primary Employer/Cluster Industry Study Mark Graham was introduced, and led discussion on implementation of the Economic Develop- ment Strategy implementation. Mr. Graham noted that City Council has questioned what steps will be taken to implement the ED Strategy. A proposed contract with Development Research Partners (DRP) has be en prepared for consideration by City Council at their meeting on April 18, 2005 . The proposed contract will address issues of "void analysis", "primary employers", and "cluster industries". Mr. Graham discussed the intent of the surveys and resulting report of the consultant. The void analysis will assist staff efforts to find businesses to fill the market "voids" in Englewood; and the primary employer and cluster industry analyses will focus on retention and recruitment of high quality, higher paying jobs in the growth industries. Mr. Graham stated that DRP will acquire information from several sources, including the Labor Bureau, and the Department of Commerce. • Members of ACE posed questions, which were answered by Mr. Graham. H:\GROUP\BOARDS\ACE\Minutes\2005\ACE 04-14-05 .doc 1 • • • Ms. Lonborg stated that she didn't want to see a strategy that focused on any specific "large" business, such as the Medical Campus; she advised Mr. Graham and the ACE membership of the firm position of Swedish Medical Center against solicitation of employees within the medical campus by anyone for any purpose. If any "marketing" strategies are undertaken, she urged that those strategies as they may relate to the medical campus be in an "external forum" rather than an "internal forum". Mr. Graham responded that staff and DRP are aware of the many differ- ences Swedish employees have from a typical business employee -very limited lunch breaks, long work hours, odd shift-hours -which make it difficult for the employees to take advantage of shopping opportunities in the downtown area. He stated that staff and DRP would like to know, however, what the SMC employees would like to see in shopping opportunities in down- town Englewood that are not now available. Mr. Woodward agreed on the importance of learn- ing what SMC employees are interested in that is lacking in the Englewood retail sector, such as maybe 24-hour restaurants, or medical uniform outlets. Ms. Lonborg noted that many SMC em- ployees are using light rail and the shuttle, and like this convenience. She reiterated that "mar- keting within the hospital won't happen." Discussion ensued. Mr. Graham noted that organizations such as the SMC and Sports Authority serve as "magnets", and many magnet businesses attract complementary businesses. Consensus of the ACE membership is that the proposed consultant contract is a good first step in implementing the Strategic Plan, and that the ACE support shall be transmitted to City Council. IV. BUSINESS WORKSHOP SERIES Mr. Hollingsworth discussed proposed business workshop series. He noted that he and Ms. Pen- ning of the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce have discussed a possible workshop se- ries -the workshops could address issues such as starting up a business, to window display de- sign, and other issues for merchants to enhance their place of business and presentation of their merchandise. He stated that he and Ms . Penning met with one prospective workshop leader, but the presentation seemed to be oriented toward use of the City and Chamber names in support of his "business", and not benefits to the local merchant. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that he has also been contacted by the Small Business Development Center of the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce; they are interested in doing a series of retail seminars throughout the spring, summer and fall months in various localities in the south metro area. A workshop/seminar is proposed for the Englewood Civic Center on September 13. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that this seminar series will be marketed heavily. He asked the ACE membership if this is the type of educational workshops they had in mind when it was initially discussed a month or two ago. Ms. Wolosyn excused herself from the meeting. Mr. Vasilas stated that the workshop series is a good idea, and asked how they will be advertised. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that the workshops will be advertised by the sponsors noted on the flyer, and also via e-mail, and mailings . Ms . Lonborg discussed the necessity of knowing who the presenter is, their "track record" of success in such seminar/workshops, and whether they are qualified to lead such workshops. Mr. H:\GROUP\BOARDS\ACE\M inutes\2005\ACE 04-14-05 .doc 2 • • • Hollingsworth stated that he has discussed the SBDC seminars with Ms. Selma Crystal of the South Metro Chamber, and the leader/teacher is "good". Further discussion ensued. Mr. Hollingsworth was asked to further check the qualifications and get biographical information on the proposed "teacher" prior to endorsement of the workshops by ACE. Ms. Lonborg stated that she likes the "panel" format for workshops. She stated it would be in- teresting to see a syllabus of previous presentations by the workshop leader, if possible. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that another topic that has been raised for consideration is that of store window display/design . Some businesses in the downtown area have very attractive displays; others are unattractive and generate negative comments. He commented that there are also sev- eral vacant store fronts that might be used for displays of art or something of interest while a new tenant search is conducted. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that part of the proposal under considera- tion is the possibility of the City participating in the cost for a merchant if they want to meet with the consultant on window display/design issues. Discussion ensued . Again, the ACE membership felt this_idea should be pursued, with the same caveat previously cited -verify the qualifications of the design/display consultant. V. GIS SOFTWARE Mr. Hollingsworth provided a brief demonstration of a software package that will be accessed from the City web page . This software will be provided for brokers to list properties for lease or sale ; individual commercial/industrial property owners can also list their properties for lease or sale. Anyone interested in what is available will be able to view the information, determine the zone classification, ownership of the site, etc. The brokers will be responsible for keeping the information up-to-date . Discussion ensued . Mr. Graham noted that aerials used as the base for the software is less than one year old. Mr. Woodward asked if other metro jurisdictions were using this software. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that about 80 jurisdictions nation-wide are using the software. Englewood is the first jurisdiction in Colorado to use this powerful web-based program. VI. SWEDISH MEDICAL CENTER Anniversary Activities Ms. Lonborg apologized that she did not have an anniversary activity report for the membership. VII. VISITATION PROGRAM Mr. Vasilas asked if all members had received forms for use in "visits". He stated that he and Mr. Hollingsworth had visited seven businesses on April l21h. The primary concern voiced by all the merchants was maintenance of a safe environment for their customers; second, they want more people (shoppers) brought into the area; and third, they want to see more quality businesses and improvement of the merchandise in existing stores to attract more up-scale shoppers . Mr. Hollingsworth agreed with Mr. Vasilas' report, and noted that the merchants also mentioned the convenience of the art shuttle. They are very interested in safety and cleanliness of the H:\GROUP\B OARDS \ACE\M inutes\2005\ACE 04-14-05 .d oc 3 • • • downtown area; vagrancy is still a problem for some merchants . Mr. Hollingsworth stated that he wants to see the visitation program branch out to other areas of the City -not just along the Broadway corridor. Mr. Hollingsworth noted that responses from the recent visits have been in- corporated in the data base spread-sheet begun during the 2004 visits; this information must re- main confidential at this time. When a final report is issued, names of responding businesses will be eliminated, but responses will be included. Ms. Guinther commented on the escalation of crime, and the increasing violence of the criminal activity. She noted that she has had to call the police department several times in recent months regarding criminal activity in the immediate vicinity of her business. Mr. Cook noted that the mailboxes at his business have been broken into four times since the first of the year; checks have been stolen, modified, and cashed. Ms. Lonborg noted that Englewood is a "first-ring" suburb to a major city, and if the criminal element is being forced out of Denver, first-ring sub- urbs will experience an increase in crime. Mr. Woodward stated that he wanted to get more in- formation from the Safety Services Department regarding increase of criminal activity, and the violence factor. He stated he wanted to discuss this issue at City Council, also. Mr. Woodward noted that in the interest of increasing school enrollment, Englewood Schools has allowed youngsters that have been "kicked out" of other school districts to enroll here . It is possible that some of the youngsters that hav e transferred to the Englewood School District are involved in the increase in crime . Mr. Woodw ard stated that he wanted to talk to School Board members regarding this . VIII. COMMENTS AND EVENTS Mr. Vasilas noted that a small business in the 3400 block of South Broadway has painted the front of the store a "bright red" -totally out of keeping with the character of the rest of the block. He asked whether the City had any rules similar to a Homeowner 's Association that would gov- ern exterior treatment of structures in the business district. Mr. Graham stated that the City does not; he noted that the property owners/business owners could "covenant themselves" to establish such restrictions or guidelines, but that it would be very difficult to get a consensus of the various owners. Mr. Verbeck stated that some cities do have Master Plans and design guidelines that have color palettes; Englewood apparently does not. Ms . Guinther asked if the Catalyst Program might serve as a beginning for a design guideline program. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that this businessman was approached about participation in the Catalyst Program, but chose not to follow through. Discussion ensued. Mr. Graham suggested merchants might want to consider a Business Im- provement District (BID); such an entity would establish guidelines and restrictions on exterior improvements. Enforcement would be by the private entity (BID), not by the City. The BID can include not only restrictions on exterior improvements , but also address issues such as parking prov1s1ons . Ms . Lonborg commented that a BID is in place in the Cherry Creek retail district, and has seemed to work quite well . Mr. Vasilas stated that he has purchased the "Breakfast Queen" restaurant in the 3400 block of South Broadway. He invited all members to visit the Breakfast Queen for a good breakfast. H:\GRO UP\B OARDS\AC E\M in utes\2005\ACE 04-14-0 5 .doc 4 • • • Mr. Woodward noted that Doug Cohn, a downtown merchant, had attended the City Council study session on April 11 , to discuss the upcoming car show and sidewalk sale. Mr. Woodward also reported that a banner location will be av ailable for two weeks just before the car sale. No further business was brought forth for discussion. The meeting was declared adjourned. AGENDA ITEMS • Continue Visitation Program • Further discussion of BID for downtown area. ACTION ITEMS • Hollingsworth to veri fy qual i fic ations and get biographical information on SBDC work- shop "leader". • Supported ide a o f w indo w desi gn/display workshop . • Supported use of GIS Software for property availability . • Voiced concern regarding increase in criminal acti vit y and v iolence in Englewood. • Discussed desi gn guidelines or possible BID for downtown area . H:\GRO UP\BOA RD S\ACE\M in utes \2 005\ACE 04 -1 4-05 .doc 5