Disruptions caused by routine maintenance, capital projects and unforeseen mishaps are a fact of life for businesses in Durango – as in most municipalities. But businesses shouldn’t have to bear the burden of adverse impacts without any recourse, City Councilor Kip Koso said.
Koso is again pushing for remedial measures for businesses impacted by city operations, an effort he first pursued near the start of the year. The majority of other councilors supported his request for a study session later this year to explore the idea in more detail, with Councilor Gilda Yazzie being the sole opposer.
Still, Koso said support for a business impact fund and a business remediation fund is “mediocre,” but he drew attention from the Durango Business Improvement District and other groups. He highlighted businesses that have been adversely impacted by city projects.
That includes WeFill, whose owner last year said her business was flooded by sewage during city work on utilities; Botanical Concepts Garden Center, whose owner closed in March after 10 years in business because of what she called “hostile” and restrictive traffic control over the city’s and La Plata County’s yearslong joint County Road 250 and 251 project; and significant impacts to Yoga Durango on Florida Road.
The idea behind a business remediation fund is to have earmarked funds saved over time for unforeseen events caused by city operations that are “rare but significant that happen to businesses,” Koso said in an interview on Thursday.
“Not very often, but when we’re in the process of doing our routine maintenance on sewer and water lines, or electrical upgrades, there are at times businesses have been massively affected by that,” he said.
The business impact fund would be geared toward supporting businesses through planned projects such as the proposed Camino Crossing underpass slated for construction sometime in 2029.
Koso said his general intent is making sure businesses that exist at the beginning of a project continue to exist and thrive after a project impacting them.
That doesn’t necessarily mean just giving businesses money, he said. He envisions partnering with nonprofits and business entities in the city to support businesses hit by planned city projects.
That could mean increased signage drawing prospective customers to business shops that appear inaccessible due to construction, the temporary suspension of sales tax dues during an ongoing project and other ways to solicit business to stores and shops.
He said it would be important for the city to work with local banks and the Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado to provide zero percent loans to businesses to endure a long, hampering construction project.
In a joint letter from Ashley Christie, Local First Foundation executive director, Jeff Dupont, Durango Chamber of Commerce CEO, and Tim Walsworth, BID executive director, the organizations said they support more “exploration of a Resiliency and Recovery Fund for businesses.”
The leaders said they are “ready and willing” to work with the city to make a proposal fit for City Council’s review.
“We believe the concept has merit and will prevent business closures and a loss of jobs and services,” the letter said.
The letter concludes saying the BID, the chamber and Local First look forward to making a plan for a fund that helps businesses undergoing “significant hardship from an unforeseen emergency.”
For potential critics who might be wary about the city spending tax dollars to help businesses impacted by city projects, Koso said it’s all about an equitable playing field.
“If we do a bunch of construction in front of one of the outdoor retailers, or in the course of maintenance we bust a sewer pipe or ruin their inventory, it’s just no longer an even playing field, right?” he said.
He said small businesses don’t plan for random city accidents or municipal capital improvement projects.
“Equity here is what I’m looking at,” he said.
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