Bayfield is one of four local communities that will share a state grant for consulting services to implement downtown development plans. The question is how to use it.
The towns - Bayfield, Ignacio, Pagosa, and Silverton - each will get $45,000 over two years to implement action items from previously completed downtown assessments, Town Manager Chris La May told town trustees on Aug. 18. Bayfield's assessment by Downtown Colorado Inc. was done early this year. It included participation by individuals and groups identified as key community stakeholders.
One of the action steps from that was to build the foundation for branding and niche development.
La May suggested using the money for that. He also suggested re-convening the stakeholders group.
Mayor Rick Smith commented, "When we first started this process, one of the first things was the brand for Bayfield, what do we want to be when we grow up? What do we want to be known for?" He suggested hiring someone to be in charge of this, to take the load off town staff.
Trustee Michelle Nelson said, "I'd like to see something concrete instead of tons of paperwork and tons of meetings. Come up with a plan that says this is what you need to do next."
Trustee Ed Morlan added, "It's a great program (Downtown Colorado), but somebody in the town has to be responsible. Maybe a community organization."
La May suggested creating a downtown advisory board to make recommendations to the town board. Whatever happens will be tied to available funds, he said. "I think DOLA (which is providing the grant) and Downtown Colorado Inc. recognize that we don't want another document that just sits on a shelf," he said.
"I think it's really critical to have key stakeholders involved," trustee Rachel Davenport said. "The first one is the Chamber (of Commerce). I think getting everyone back together is a good idea."
Smith asked La May to set up a meeting. "I hear people say they want to be involved, but they don't know how, and staff is trying to get people involved," he said.
The grant from the State Department of Local Affairs will go through the Southwest Colorado Council of Governments for the four towns. The CoG will take 10 percent to administer the grant. Grant money to each town ($25,000 minus the 10 percent) will be provided for each of two years with a 25 percent local match the first year ($6,250) and 50 percent ($12,500) the second year, La May said in his staff report.
