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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-11 ACE MINUTES• • • ALLIANCE FOR COMMERCE IN ENGLEWOOD October 11, 2007 I. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Alliance for Commerce in Engle wood (ACE) was called to order at 11 :42 a.m . at the Kent Place Sales Office, Chair Schalk presiding. Present: Schalk, Panetta, McDermott, Lonborg, Guinther, Vasilas, Verbeck Absent: Espinoza (alternate) Also present: Jim Woodward, Councilman Ra y Tomasso, Councilman Jill Wilson, candidate running for City Council Alexia Jennings, Micro Business Development Rob Hunsley, Sales Manager at Kent Place Staff present: Da rren Hollingsworth, Ec o nomic Developm ent Coordinator APPROVAL OF MINUTES September 13 , 2007 Chair Schalk stated that the Minutes of September 13 , 2007 were to be considered for approval . Panetta moved : Vasilas seconded: The Minutes of September 13 , 2007 be approved . The motion carried unanimously. 11. ACE BUSINESS KENT PLACE TOUR AND PROJECT OVERVIEW Mr. Rob Hunsley, Sales Manager for Kent Place, provided an update on the development of Kent Place at Hampden Avenue and South University Boulevard . He stated they are 30 % pre-leased on Phase I. A large mod el of the project was viewed. After the presentation the m embers were invited to tour a full scale model of one of th e units that is being offered. MICRO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Ms. Jennings stated she spoke to ACE several months ago and provided a brief overv ie w of that discussion. She stated they are setting up a re vo lving loan fund for the City of Englewood. She spoke to Jim Doty, the late Mayor Wolosyn 's husband, and he has given permission for her name to be used in connection with the fund. It will be known as the • Olga Wolosyn Economic Empowerment Fund. She stated Micro Business Development has talked to several businesses in the City and one business is preparing to move forward with a loan. The current interest rate is 11.25%, which is 3 points above prime . The interest rate will be reset in January . Ms . Jennings asked about working with the City to host a holiday marketplace. Mr. Woodward noted that the Malley Center holds a holiday boutique each year and suggested she speak to them about working together. Staff will provide her a contact at Malley Center. Mr. Panetta asked if Micro Business Development has a physical presence in Englewood. Ms. Jennings stated they do not at the present time, but are working with Staff to be at City Center a few hours each week. Ms . Jennings asked the ACE members what their thoughts were regarding holding a training session of some type in the future. Topics to discuss could be writing a business plan or marketing. A small fee would be charged for the session . Chair Schalk stated he liked the idea of helping people with their business plan as it can be very difficult to do. He felt that should be a priority. • Mr. Panetta asked if the Englewood Small Business Development Corporation (ESBDC) would be in competition with Micro Business Development. Mr. Hollingsworth stated he did not believe so. In fact, he felt they could work together. • Ms. Jennings asked the members if they knew of anyone who would like to be the Community Liaison for Micro Business Development to let her know. The late Mayor Wolosyn was the liaison. After ACE discussion, Ms. Jennings will contact Jeannette Espinoza to see if she is interested. Ms . McDermott asked about Micro Business Development's special event coordination for an arts festival in Englewood . Mr. Hollingsworth indicated that some merchants have expressed an interest in supporting a farmer's market downtown and perhaps Micro Business Development could be involved in making this event possible. Staff will work with Micro Business Development to understand the possibility of a downtown arts event to support local artists. Ms. Jennings stated their offices are at 7111 and Kalamath and invited everyone to stop by and take a tour. Their art gallery is also at that location . Ms. Jennings asked if there were any questions. There were none. Chair Schalk thanked her for her update . 2 • • • MARKETING STRATEGY Mr. Hollingsworth noted ACE has focused on marketing for quite some time. With Council finalizing the budget, community marketing will be a priority for 2008. Ms. Lonborg asked if anyone had been hired to help with marketing. Mr. Hollingsworth said Staff has not hired anyone yet. Director White instructed Staff to initiate interviews with consultants and take this issue forward before the end of the year. Ch air Schalk noted that the business community is part of the City, but feels the residential component is given priority. He stated businesses provide 80 % of revenues for the City. Mr. Woodward said actually 56% of sales tax is business driven. Mr. Panetta asked if anyone knew how much revenue Kent Place is expected to generate. Mr. Hollingsworth stated he had numbers from several years ago and they were substantial. 111. COMMENTS & EVENTS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Ms. Mendel was not present. ACE MEMBERS All the members thanked Staff for holding the meeting at Kent Place and giving them the opportunity to view the project. Mr. Panetta said ACE should feel a great sense of accomplishment regarding Kent Place. Although ACE was not involved in Kent Place , ACE was a supporter of the project and ACE has long been an advocate of more diversified housing stock within Englewood including upscale alternat ives. Chair Schalk suggested Staff bring prospective hotel developers to visit Kent Place to generate interest. He said Kent Place is the future of Englewood. Mr. Panetta asked for an update on the Masonic Lodge redevelopment. Staff stated they did not have any new information, but would provide an update at the next meeting. Mr. Woodward said he believed they had submitted their plans to the City. Mr. Panetta asked if anyone had any ideas of what can be clone to address the co ntinuin g vacancies between Hampden Avenue and Belleview Avenue. He stated he has concerns regarding that section of Broadway. Mr. Verbeck said he believes we need to define what the marketing strategy is for Englewood (i.e., restaurants, art, entertainment) before you can address the problem . Chair Schalk said he feels one problem is that the owners of those properties do not want to sell, only to lease their properties . 3 • Mr. Panetta asked for an update on the hotel study and the testimon ials from new businesses. Mr. Hollingsworth stated the hotel study was presented to City Council on October 1 st. He sa id the next step will be a discussion with Horwath, developers and the Chamber. He said the testimonials have not been obta ined to date and felt it might be better to wait until there is a marketing program in place in which to use them. Chair Schalk said he felt it was important to obtain them shortly after the businesses open. Staff will begin setting up appointments to obtain the testimonials. Suggested businesses included Sun Country, Vitamin Cottage, Kacy Fine Furniture, and Sportique Scooters. Mr. Tomasso suggested the testimonials be placed on Englewoodsites .com. Ms. McDermott said if Staff can get the commitments ACE can help with the marketing plan . Mr. Hollingsworth said he is planning to set up a meeting with a marketing company at the first of the year to work on marketing strategy . BID COMMENTS Mr. Vasilas said the banners in the District have been installed . Everyone agreed they look great. He stated he will be attending the City Council meeting next Monday night to request the City waive the fees to install two large banners across Broadway. One will be in the area of the Kaiser building and the other just north of Highway 285. The business directory is complete and is being distributed. If anyone wishes to place them in their business copies can be picked up at Sir Speedy. Mr. Tomasso suggested they be available at the candidate forum being held at Englewood Middle School tonight. • The BID met with the City Manager and with Mr. Black and Mr. Lee of the Parks and Recreation Department to discuss landscaping Broadway from Highway 285 to Yale. The first phase of the improvements will include trimming, removing and replanting of trees. • Mr. Vasilas said the BID is currently working on a marketing plan. Several meetings are planned in the near future. The BID also has funds for advertising . There will be a meeting at the Englewood Public Library next Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. to discuss. All were invited to attend. He also noted they are beginning work on a website. Mr. Vasilas announced his two businesses, Ted's Clothiers and The Breakfast Queen were both included on Channel 7's A list. The members congratulated Mr. Vasilas. STAFF CO MMENTS Mr. Hollingsworth noted Staff is working with a prospect to purchase the vacant mortuary. Mr. Woodward asked what is happening with the former Jim Paris Tire property at Highway 285 and Logan. Mr. Hollingsworth said he understands that it has been sold to a financial institution. He w i ll provide further information at the next meeting if it is available. Mr. Tomasso stated McStain homes are now doing single -family infill housing and could be a good fit for redevelopment in Englewood . 4 • • • There were no further comments . No further business was brought forth for consideration. The meeting was adjourned at 1:010 p.m . The next meeting is scheduled for November 8, 2007. Barbara Kr ec klow, ecording Se cre tary 5