HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-09-28 ACE MINUTES•
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ALLIANCE FOR COMMERCE IN ENGLEWOOD
September 28, 2006
I. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Alliance for Commerce in Englewood (ACE) was called to order
at 11 :42 a.m. in the City Council Conference Room of the Englewood Civic Center, Chair
McDermott presiding.
Pr ese nt: Schalk (entered at 11:ss)1 Vasilas, Panetta, Verbeck, Guinther, McDermott
Absent: Longborg
Also present: Katie Mendel, Chamber Representative
O lga Wolosyn, Mayor
Staff present: Robert Simpson, Community Development Director
Darren Hollingsworth, Economic Development Coordinator
John Voboril, Planner
Mark Graham , Plann er
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
July 13, 2006
Chair McDermott stated that the Minutes of July 13, 2006 were to be cons id ered for
approval.
Mr. Panetta moved:
Mr. Vasilas seconded: The Minutes of July 13, 2006 be app roved as written.
The motion carried unanimously.
11. ACE BUSINESS
SMALL AREA PLAN UPDATE
Mr. Voboril stated a mailing to approximate ly 5,400 area residents, businesses and property
owners had been done in August. He distributed a handout regarding the Small Area Plan .
He said the first page of the handout is a map indicating the area the mailing covered, the
seco nd page is the letter sent to the approximately 330 Registered Stakeholders in
September and the last page is the sign up sheet for upcoming meetings. Mr. Voboril stated
data has been co lle cted on housing, transportation, business and economic development,
parks and recreation, social services, urban design, infrastructure, land use and zoning. Two
Planning and Zoning Commission sess ion s have be en held with a third one scheduled for
October 17, 2006.
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Stakeholder meetings have been scheduled for October 3'c1, 4th, 101h and 11th. There will be
two different meetings, one for the Downtown District and one for the Medical District.
Three evening meetings will be held at Civic Center and two morning meetings at the
Malley Center. Mr. Voboril stated an Open House will also be held for the general public
from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 171
" at Civic Center.
Chair McDermott asked about the concern residents had regarding their homes being in
jeopardy. She asked Mr. Voboril if he had many phone calls related to that issue. He stated
he did. He said, unfortunately, some people interpreted the map to mean that the whole
area was going to be taken over by the hospital. He said through the course of his
conversations with people he felt he was able to convey to them what the Small Area Plan
was really about. Mr. Panetta asked if Mr. Voboril knew how that fear came to be. Mr.
Simpson responded that in previous years the hospital was in an acquisition mode and the
City had to step in and come to an agreement that the hospital would not extend north of
Floyd. He said that is still an issue that is uncomfortable to those area residents. Another
reason may come from the Supreme Court decision regarding Eminent Domain. Most state
governments have responded to that by eliminating that power completely, but most
people do not know that and are still in a fear mode.
Mayor Wolosyn stated her neighbor from across the alley came running over within an
hour of receiving the letter. She said she feels people do not understand what it means to
first plan something and think about changing zoning. She stated his concerns were good,
but misplaced. The real concern is how the area will be zoned to make things happen. You
want to be sure the rules are things you can live with in your community. She said when a
resident receives a letter from the City they automatically become fearful.
Chair McDermott wished Mr. Voboril good luck with all the meetings.
Mr. Voboril stated if someone wanted to attend a meeting they are welcome to do so. He
said he feels we have made arrangements to accommodate everyone who wishes to
attend.
Mr. Panetta asked if the October 1 7th open house was meant to be a wrap up session for
people who may have additional questions after they have attended one of the previous
meetings. He stated it was not. Mr. Voboril said the stakeholders have certain issues and
concerns because they live in the area. Staff also felt the need to include other people
outside of the area, anyone living or employed in the City or anyone who has an interest in
the Small Area Plans.
Chair McDermott thanked Mr. Voboril for the update.
VOID ANALYSIS
Mr. Graham stated he was going to refer to the study as a Retail Market Analysis. He said
staff has worked on the Retail Market Analysis for almost a year. He said Mr. Voboril has
been very helpful in the process. The way it was approached was to create a database that
would allow us to answer fairly specific questions for businesses that were thinking about
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expanding and for businesses we might be interested in recru1t111g into the City. The
deliverable product was a database that Mr. Voboril has the ability to manipulate. There are
several different types of queries that can be done. We have shared some samples with you
today. It is basically supply and demand. The demand was calculated on households, which
represents a fairly small part of the demand in Englewood. Mr. Graham said the commuters
and the daytime population seem to be a significant force in the community. The City
needs to be able to tell that story to people who are thinking of establishing a business in
Englewood because it is very typical to do ring studies of household demand and leave it at
that. Staff is working with Mr. Voboril on expanding on the information we have on a
consumer expenditure survey to better depict what the daytime demand is. This study did
not do that. It looked only at household demand. There is another piece to the study that
needs to come at a later date. This study told the sales based on Englewood sales tax
records, which showed the numbers far out paced the demand created by the households.
It also showed several categories where there are not enough options available in the City.
Those are generally the first categories we would encourage somebody to expand into
carrying those products and services or go looking for someone to provide those products
and services in our market. Those categories include women's clothing, shoes, children
under two and baby's clothes. Mr. Graham reviewed a chart of how households in
Englewood spend their money. Food, transportation, household supplies, and
entertainment comprise the largest part. Mr. Graham reviewed information regarding
spending habits of residents. Several expenditure subcategories were also reviewed, such as
food away from home. Mr. Graham stated the numbers shown included people outside the
boundaries of the City of Englewood.
Mr. Graham defined what block groups are. A census tract is made up of a series of block
groups. A census tract has approximately 4,000 to 8,000 people in it. Mr. Voboril said there
are usually three or four block groups in a census tract. Mr. Graham stated it is the smallest
geography that consumer census data is available on . Several charts were reviewed and
discussed. A table comparing retail sales, local demand and the void in Englewood of
numerous expenditure subcategories was reviewed. Mr. Simpson stated staff is actively
pursuing stores that can meet that demand. For example, staff has most recently started
pursuing the idea of having Kohl's in the community, which would meet some of the
categories where there is currently a void.
Mr. Panetta asked how staff goes about determining the best use for a space. Mr. Simpson
stated it is partly market. Mayor Wolosyn asked if showing numbers to companies like
Kohl's is useful to them. Mr. Simpson stated they are. It is not just about local demand; it is
about the regional demand. Mayor Wolosyn said she feels Englewood does not shine its
light enough. She referred to a past retail analysis that was done a few years ago and said
she felt nothing came of it. Mr. Simpson said that analysis was done in a more standard
way. The current analysis has been looked at in numerous perspectives. Mr. Graham said
the first report stopped well short of the current report. He stated the first report answered
two questions, what businesses people leave Englewood to patronize and it calculated that
leakage rate. It was very limited in scope. The current report has the ability to look at all of
the standard consumer expenditure survey categories. Mr. Graham stated you have to look
at the daytime population, the commuters and the visitors in Englewood, not just the
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residents. If a company stops at a standard analysis looking at household demand they will
not understand the Englewood market and they might not enter it.
Ms. Guinther sa id she feels there shou ld be some newspaper coverage stati n g we are a
regional draw and to educate the genera l public that Englewood b u sinesses are not just
re lying on local residents. Mr. Graham said staff has met and discussed what is put out for
people to understand . He said staff would like to do something like that. Ms. Guinther said
maybe general meetings, such as at the Chamber, local newspaper/business journals would
be good places. Mr. Simpson sa id thank you ... he appreciated hearing that. Mr. Simpson
said staff would work on how to get the information out to the public.
Mr. Vasi las offered some reasons he believes some categories do not locate in Eng lewood .
• Women are afraid to come to Englewood to shop
• Englewood is known as a rough area
• A lot of work has been pushed aside
• Procrastinate to solve problems, such as drunks, bars, etc.
• After the smoking ban went into effect the 3400 b lock of Broadway became
a block of homeless and drunks. At 5:00 people get off work and head to
one of three bars in the block. Since they cannot smoke in sid e the bars they
go outside to party and smoke.
• Foul language on Broadway
• Drug paraphernalia between and in back of the stores
• Drug deals on the street in broad daylight
• Open space used for drug deals in stead of for recreation. They need to be
cleaned up every day.
• Police called at 3:30 in the afternoon after Ted's son witnessed a drug deal
go in g down across the street. To their knowledge the po li ce never
responded.
• Security prob lems
• City cleaning schedule needs to be more frequent
• Police need to be seen o n a frequent basis
• Reputation on street needs to change
• Need better pol ice and community support
• Image of City needs to change
He stated the City is spending thousands of dollars to do reports and come up with
answers, but until those people are chased away ~rom Englewood nothing will cha n ge . He
sa id the first time he saw the City cleaning the si dewalks, park in g lots and the park areas
was befo re the car show. That should happen at least every two or th ree months, not just
before an event. The Committee agreed that all the good informatio n was worthless if the
pub li c relation image does not improve. Chair McDermott said the way she looks at the
report is Englewood has so much more potential for reta il sa les if the comm uni ty improved
a few th in gs. Mr. Vasilas agreed and said they are doab le. Chair McDermott sa id there is
backing for the BID. The retailers are so interested in making im provements they are will in g
to spend their money to make the im provements themselves. Chair McDermott suggested
the City may need to look into having a policeman patro l the downtown area on foot.
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Wolosyn said Council is going to hear about the Void Analysis and she said she would
bring up the issues as part of that discussion. She said she also appreciated hearing the
comments.
Ms. Mendel asked whose responsibility it is to clean the common areas between buildings.
Mr. Simpson said Public Works does street sweeping and the areas between the buildings
are maintenanced by Parks and Recreation. Unfortunately, sidewalks do not ever get
addressed.
Mr. Schalk said he feels the City needs to see another Sport Authority type of movement.
How do we get the twenty-somethings to Englewood? How can we get a restaurant that
will attract those people? He said he would rather see an incentive deal given to a Wahoo
Fish Tacos to locate in Englewood than to spend money on more security. He stated he
feels we're missing the boat.
Mr. Simpson said he appreciated Mr. Schalk's visioning. He stated he would provide an
update on some things that are happening in the downtown area later in the meeting. He
said economic development is truly for all of us an exercise in patience. Englewood has
come a long way thanks to the ACE members. He stated ACE is doing a lot of good things
today. Chair McDermott and Mr. Schalk stated Englewood has indeed come a long way,
• but has further to go.
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Mr. Panetta had several questions he wanted to ask with the answers to come at a later
date. He feels the data presented at the meeting tells us where there are some needs. We
have available space .... how do we match the space with the needs? The old cliche, the
highest and best use of the property that is available. Also, the old saying "build it and they
will come". How can we take this data and get some good bang for the buck and not just
have a study? Englewood has always had the reputation of being behind the times and not
meeting the needs of the people.
Mr. Schalk stated he is concerned about the Hampden/South Broadway project. He wants
the City and Council to look at the safe moves that have been made in the past and maybe
be a little more aggressive in the future.
Chair McDermott asked Mark if he had a few comments to wrap up the discussion. Mr.
Graham asked all members to call him if they have further questions or want more specific
information about one of the consumer spending areas that affects them. The information
presented gave them some id ea of the kinds of reports that staff is able to run. He stated
staff will work with each of them to come up with data that will be useful to them.
PROPOSED HOTEL STUDY
Mr. Hollingsworth stated one of the target businesses in the economic development
strategy is bringing a hotel to Englewood. He stated staff has seen some opportunities on
the horizon recently with some changes along the 285 corridor, specifically the closing of
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• Flood Middle School. Mr. Hollingsworth distributed an article regarding the closing of Flood
Middle School that appeared in The Englewood Herald. Staff has been approached by a
group called Hospitality Real Estate Counselors. They are a local group out of Greenwood
Village that does international hotel studies and came highly recommended . He asked ACE
if they would support a demand analysis for a hotel study. It would answer the basic
question of "is there demand given the current number of rooms in the area to serve a
hotel along the 285 corridor". The type of hotel would not be defined at this time. If you
want to get further down the line as to what kind of hotel, how many rooms, etc. that
would be another phase that possibly a hotelier would conduct. Mr. Hollingsworth stated
the cost of the study is approximately $12,500 and would take about six to eight weeks to
complete. He stated the hotel study will be taken to City Council on October 16, 2006. It is
City policy that any contract over $10,000 goes to City Council for approval. He said
recently a prospe c t came to Community Development inquirin ~ about building a hotel in
Englewood.
Chair McDermott asked Mr. Hollingsworth is he wanted the members to support the idea
of moving forward with the study in order for him to t ake that to City Council. He said that
was correct.
Chair McDermott asked for discussion. Mr. Vasilas stated he firmly believes there is a n ee d
for a hotel in the area and retail and restaurants will follow. Mr. Schalk said it would be nice
to define the hotel. ... he would like an upscale hotel versus a Days Inn. Mr. Simpson said the
• focus of the study could be on the boutique hotel category.
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Chair McDermott asked if everyone agreed that ACE should ask Darren to present the
hotel study idea to City Council with ACE's indication they are interested in having the
study move forward with the co ndition it is an upscale/boutique hotel.
All members responded in the affirmative.
EXCELLENCE IN RETAIL
Mr. Hollingsworth stated since ACE last met a retail workshop has been launched in
partnership with the South Metro Small Business Development Center. They have an active
business training seminar for retailers and were looking to develop a pilot program.
Englewood stepped forward and helped shape the agenda. He stated twelve businesses
have signed up. Ultimately there will be three meetings covering three different topics. The
first meeting was held in September, the second is coming up in October. At the
conclusion there will be a graduation held where all the retailers will be recognized.
He stated in November staff is launching the website training sessions. Two seminars will
be held on November 161h and 171
h in the Community Room at Civic Center. There will be
about 40 people in attendance. They will learn how to optimize their website to suite th eir
business needs. There is a basic course and a more advanced course. The workshops are
free to Englewood businesses. He stated he was quite pleased Englewood was chosen for
the pilot program. Once the workshop goes on the road to other jurisdictions there will be
a charge.
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CAR SHOW UPDATE
Ms. Mendel stated as far as she co uld tell the Car Show went very smoothly. Ev eryo ne was
happy with the o utco m e and it brought peop le to the are a. For th e Chamber the Ta ste of
Eng lewood was a transitional year. She sa id they didn't bring in th e numb er of vendors they
would hav e lik ed or get the sales they wanted. She said n ex t year as lo n g as it ca n be
guara nteed to be in close proximity to the Car Show th ey will be able to get the food
vendors back in vo lve d and hopefully offer beer and wi ne . She said the co mmittee raised a
lot of mon ey. Some of the m oney w ill be give n to the Posit ivel y Englewood gro up . She
stated the co mmittee is planning on having a holiday party at the Gothic to get more
people involved for n ext year.
Mr. Vasilas thanked Mr. Schalk for his generous donation in providing the in suranc e for the
Car Show. It saved the committee $1,000. Mr. Vasilas sa id he spoke to seve ral merchants in
the area of the Car Show before coming to today's meeting. The y sta ted th e ir business was
way down that day due to parking issues. Restaurants were the exceptio n, where reve nu es
were up. Th e two hour parking limit along Broadway was not e nforced that day. Also, the
all ey was blocked so people wanting to shop co uld not get to the parking spaces. Ms.
Mendel sa id that issu e had alr eady been brought up to the co mmittee .
Chair McDermott said some of the recommendations for next year would be to plan better
for parking, post signs, or have a temporary parking lot w ith directions on how to get there.
Discussion was held regarding combi nin g Englewood Fun Fest and th e Car Show. Mayor
Wolosyn stated that has come up before, but Englewood Fun Fest is on Belleview and the
Car Show is on Broadway. She sa id it is hard for the police department to patrol both areas.
She sta t ed Mr. Woodward has also suggested Homeco ming be combined with a City
event. It was agreed a co mbin ed effort would bring more people to the City.
BID UPDATE
Mr. Vasilas stated the final phase of the BID is co min g up, which is the election in
November. H e distributed a copy of the final wording of the ballot. A meetin g was he ld last
month to elect the seve n-m embe r Board. Mr. Vasilas was e le cted Chairperson. Th e ballots
go o ut the end of October with a week to return them. Th ey must be m ail ed to an
atto rn ey's office in downtown D e nver .
111. COMMENTS & EVENTS
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Ms. Mendel stated the n ext Business After H ou rs wi ll be he ld ne xt Wednesday. The serv ice
club luncheon w ill be held in early N ove mb er. Th e holiday party is D ecember 14th at The
A lexa n. The ga la is tentatively schedu led for January 25th at the Gothic. She stated the
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Women in Business program is being revamped. The Chamber is going to be doing a three-
card mass mailing to businesses that are not members starting in the next month or so.
ACE MEMBERS
There were no further comments
STAFF COMMENTS
Mr. Simpson reminded everyone the October 12th meeting has a full agenda. He stated
from October 1 t 11 through the 21 st the Urban Land Institute is holding their national
conference in Denver. Approximately 15,000 people will be attending. On Tuesday,
October 17th they will be looking at Englewood. He said if anyone is interested in attending
ACE may have the ability to send one person. Mr. Verbeck stated he would like to attend.
Mr. Simpson said a reporter from the San Francisco Chronicle is coming to town next week
to see the new Denver Art Museum addition and they want to see the CityCenter project.
He stated staff has been looking at several areas in Englewood:
• Englewood Marketplace. Staff has been trying to encourage ownership to
take a harder look at the center and see what they might be able to do with
the property. Staff met with them last week and for the first time there is
some interest. Staff is pursuing possibly several department store type
retailers that focus on clothing, women's wear and children's goods. It may
mean some buildings are scraped and some tenants are rearranged in the
existing space.
• Acoma Project. The retail component continues to be strong and interested
in moving forward. We anticipate the housing portion of the project may be
changed due to the downturn in the housing market. When the market
changes you have to be flexible and we are very aware of that. There are
some backfills that are going in pretty quickly that we think are very good.
Staff will be discussing that with Council on October gth after more details are
firmed up.
• Broadway and Old Hampden. Mr. Simpson will be talking with the broker of
Broadway and Old Hampden to get that redevelopment going.
Interest in Englewood continues to be very strong.
Mr. Vasilas stated he hopes the housing component of the Acoma project does not drop
off. That will help the area more than anything.
No further business was brought forth for consideration. The meeting was adjourned at
1 :20 p.m .
Barbara Krecklow, Recording Secretary
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• UPCOMING ITEMS
• Small Area Plan Update
• Cluster Analysis/Employer Study
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