DURANGO, Colo. - Though it’s been ten years since a grassroots coalition of concerned business people petitioned the Durango City Council to form a business improvement district, “The BID,” as it’s often referenced today, is still something of a mystery to many in and around Durango.

Questions such as, “What do they do?” and “Is it the City or is it the Downtown?” can be heard in spite of the many substantial efforts made by the BID.

In truth, the BID is its own quasi-governmental entity, with a board of directors appointed by the Durango City Council. At its core it exists to assist in maintaining the viability of the “District,” which is considerably larger than just the Historic Downtown, though the downtown is “tag line,” as it were, for promotional purposes.

Perhaps some confusion comes in that the BID shares an office with the City’s “Downtown” staff – and even shares the staff. Bob Kunkel, the city’s downtown events and promotions specialist, and his assistant Pam Glasco, both also consult with and support the BID.

The BID was launched back in 1997 with an overwhelming show of voter support to explore the feasibility of and find a site for a conference center. The voters within the District also passed a 1.5 mill levy on themselves, which today generates approximately $160,000 annually, to fund the BID’s activities.

The first volunteer BID board of directors – Rod Barker, Chris Vivolo, Ted Hermesman, Steve Parker and Jerry Poer – began work in January 1998. In recent years, John Wells, Karen Barger, Tim Wheeler and Bob Allen have replaced those directors who have moved on. Rod Barker is the sole original member remaining.

Business improvement districts exist throughout the country, in large cities and small, and each one has a unique scope of work. What all BIDs have in common, however, is their underlying purpose: to improve conditions for businesses in a specific area; attract and retain businesses; and enhance employment opportunities and improve the quality of life for those who use the district. It was initially, and still is generally believed, that developing a conference center would meet these criteria.

In the past decade a comprehensive conference center feasibility study was completed (2000) and recently updated (2007). Both studies reinforced the benefits Durango would realize from construction of such a facility in the Historic Downtown, as well as the downside that, as with all such centers, it would have an operational shortfall and need subsidy. The shortfall would, however, be balanced by the increased sales and lodger’s tax revenues generated, thus be a win-win for the community. In spite of the studies, the conference center remains on the proverbial back burner.

Beth Drum, Bob Kunkel, Karyn Gabaldon, Pam Glasco and Christy Scherer celebrated promoting "Downtown" at a "Block Captain" party.

Activities at the BID haven’t, however, waited for a conference center. In partnership with the City, the BID became part of the physical office located at 1199 Main Ave., Suite 210, and helped the City acquire a reserve of outdoor equipment (such as the stage, bandstand, tents and barricades) to facilitate special events in Downtown and beyond. The BID also initiated a comprehensive “branding” campaign for the Downtown, developing the Historic Downtown Durango logo and more.

Further, to pump the mill levy money back into the District, the BID established a protocol for “gifting” the dollars to new and existing special events, helping organizers to expand their marketing reach and attract visitors from outside the area to visit, enjoy and spend dollars in Durango. New – successful – events incubated by BID include the Durango Wine Experience, March Mania basketball tournament and Santa’s Workshop.

The BID, with support of the City and Durango Area Tourism Office also developed three “umbrella” marketing programs that collectively support activities in and around Downtown – Holidazzle, Spring it On! and Fall for Downtown Durango Days.

In 2006, to enhance the Downtown experience for visitors, the BID helped fund and construct, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Office and Fort Lewis College, an informational kiosk in the 700 block of Main Ave.

“Our historic downtown has always been a wonderful destination for our out-of-area guests, but the BID board of directors wanted to make it even easier for visitors to find our unique downtown businesses, galleries and restaurants,” said Rod Barker, BID board member. “Our mission is to help enhance business in the District, and we believed the Visitor’s Kiosk would further that effort, which has indeed been the case.”

BID Board Member Tim Wheeler (L) and Bob Kunkel (R) welcome singer/songwriter Greg Ryder to the Rhythms of Durango CD release party in 2006.

New promotional products launched by the BID include the free Locator Guide/map of the District (distributed at the kiosk) and Rhythms of Durango CD** (see note below), again, both developed with a focus on promoting businesses and activities.

“It’s taken some time and investment, but we’re seeing all the work pay off,” said John Wells, BID presiding officer. “And there’s more to come. The increasing sales tax numbers do indicate that maintaining the Durango Business Improvement District is beneficial for the entire town and county.”

Thought everything evolves with time, the BID has remained true to the goals it laid out before City Council and the voters a decade ago. Durango is stronger than it ever has been, with the efforts substantiated in March 2007 when the town was named one of the Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the Historic Trust for National Preservation.

“This is truly a community award,” said Barker, during the announcement reception. “Dozens and dozens of people have worked and continue to work tirelessly to sustain Durango and ensure that it remains a very special place. Congratulations Durango – you all earned this award.”

BID Board Member Rod Barker welcomed all those attending the Press Conference for the NTHP Dozen Distinctive Destinations Award. -Lisa Mackey Photo

Interestingly, the BID board is merely following in a long-standing tradition to sustain Durango. Contingents of civic-minded and entrepreneurial locals hoped to build a conference center way before this current generation emerged.

“Oh yes. We tried to do it,” said Earl Barker, patriarch of the Strater Hotel, and father of Rod, in an interview for Durango Magazine. “We had the Pepsi-cola building, that’s where the post office is now, and the parking lot. Jackson Clark (founder of Toh-Atin Gallery) had that, and we had an option to buy it. We brought in a fellow by the name of Al Barnett who was going to spearhead the thing. He was a guy who’d lived here before and everybody knew him and he was a real promoter. He tried to get the job done, and couldn’t. We had an option on the property down where the Holiday Inn is, and we thought that might work out for a convention center. When we couldn’t get that done, then we had an option to sell it to the Holiday Inn people and pay everybody else back the money they’d put in to try and get it to go. There were a lot of things we were trying to do.”

And, it appears, there is always more to be done. The Durango Business Improvement District maintains an informational web site (www.downtowndurango.org) to honor the history, as well as keep community members informed of new and on-going activities.

 * * *

 **Rhythms of Durango Vol. 2 Artists Selected

The 18 artists to be included on Rhythms of Durango Vol. 2, the promotional CD that features local musicians and singer/songwriters who perform in and around the Historic Downtown, have been selected.

Co-producers Pam Glasco and Indiana Reed are pleased to announce the line-up, which features original material from established favorites such as Lacey Black, Alison Dance, Terry Rickard and Formula 151, plus showcases new, up-and-coming artists including Annie Brooks, Daniel Rottenberg and Hounds of Purg.

The CD will be released at a festive release party – open to the public – Nov. 23, 4:00 p.m. at the Diamond Belle Saloon just prior to the “Singing with Santa” parade along Main Ave.

Wholesale orders of Rhythms CDs for resale or corporate gifts ($10 per CD with suggested $15 retail), are available from the BID office, 970.375.5067 or pamg@downtowndurango.org.