Niwot Moves Towards Revitalization

BY KIM GLASSCOCK
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Niwot’s economic vitality received a shot of funding from Local Improvement District advisory board members when the group okayed two proposals targeting the revitalizing of the town’s business and retail areas.

At the Sept. 7 meeting, LID members approved a proposal from the Niwot Business Association to allocate $10,000 toward hiring a consultant to work with Niwot business and commercial landlords to attract retailers and businesses to the town. The group also approved a second request to send representatives to a conference in Denver focusing on small town challenges and solutions.

The consultant proposal grew from a facilitated meeting in late July with Niwot landlords.

Niwot has a 25 to 30 percent commercial space vacancy rate, according to an informal survey done by LID member Harris Faberman. At the July meeting, several Niwot commercial property landlords expressed concerns about the vacancy rate, and the group agreed to move forward with a consultant to create a strategic plan for revitalization. The landlords are expected to contribute an additional $6,500 toward the effort, Faberman said.

Niwot landlord John Lockwood told LID members that he supports the effort. “This town doesn’t have a direction any more,” he said. “We used to be known for antiques, and had busloads of people come to town. That has changed, and we need to bring people back to town.”

Dana Crawford of Urban Neighborhoods, who facilitated the meeting with the landlords, told LID members that once the town and the landlords have consensus on an identity for the retail areas of the town, work can begin to attract a strong tenant mix.

“You can use the law of cumulative attraction,” Crawford said. “When there is a vision for what everyone wants and agreement within the community, you can bring people into the spaces.”

But, she added, the town needs to move quickly on the proposal to take advantage of the momentum already being generated.

Spending $10,000 of LID funds is a large commitment, pointed out LID co-chair Carrie Wise. “How sure are we that spending all this funding will bring businesses to our spaces?” she asked.

Concerns also were expressed about the Boulder County requirement that the LID must go through a bid process to hire a consultant because the amount being spent is above $5,000.

“This is a chicken and egg issue,” said LID member Bruce Warren. “We don’t react as quickly as we would like because of the process we must follow, but I think we have to move forward on this issue. We should approve this proposal for funding and move this town forward.”

Megan Davis, Niwot LID liaison from the Boulder County Board of Commissioners, told LID members that once a job description is written for the consultant, it should take about two weeks for the county purchasing department to conduct the bid process. “You could be ready to move by the end of September,” she said.

“I think it is important to approve this proposal,” said LID member Jim Eastman. “We need to invest money and energy into revitalization. People will come if we make this a destination town.”

 “This is what the LID is here for – to grow this town and get it to be the best that it can be,” LID member Ann May agreed.

Community Matters Conference

LID members also supported a second proposal for revitalizing Niwot when they approved $1,000 to send five representatives to the Community Matters conference Oct. 5 - 8 in Denver. The conference is presented by the Orton Family Foundation, a non-profit foundation that grants funds for revitalization projects for towns with populations of 25,000 or less.

The conference will sponsor sessions about smart town planning for the future, preserving small-town character, mobile/social media innovation for small towns and ways to engage citizens in building a stronger community. Niwot’s representatives will be Allstate Insurance owner Mimi Bell, who established First Fridays with a grant from Allstate; community volunteer Tasnim Chaudry, who coordinates the Niwot Cruisers Ride and volunteers at Rotary International events; Sew Fresh Studio owner Nora McCray who is spearheading the push for resolution of Niwot zip code issues; Niwot social media marketing coordinator Heather Morgan; and Niwot Tavern owner Tony Santelli, president of the NBA.

“This is an excellent way to promote Niwot and also learn what other small towns are doing to keep their communities vital,” Morgan said. “It will also give us a chance to learn about the foundation’s grant program and meet Orton founder Lymon Orton and CEO William Roper.”

In response to a question from LID member Robin Abb, Morgan said the foundation can grant up to $100,000 to a community for revitalization. However, the average grant is about $25,000, she said.

“This conference is something that this LID should be funding,” said LID member Bruce Warren. “This also is a larger effort on behalf of this town, which is something this LID should support.”

Community Garden

Mari Gibb of Niwot told LID members that she is exploring the concept of creating an organic community garden in the town.

“Community gardens are a wonderful way to bring people together,” she said. “I am working with the homeowners associations and anybody else who is interested to explore finding a place for a garden.”

Niwot residents interested in working to start a community garden can contact Gibb at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call 303-652-1173.
 
In other business, Davis said that county attorneys are drafting language for proposed legislation which would allow properties to be added to local improvement districts. The current statute does not include a way to add properties after the initial LID boundaries are set and approved by voters. LID members have asked that county officials look into a process for adding properties to Niwot’s LID.

“Once the legislation is drafted, it is up to the Boulder County Board of Commissioners to decide whether they will propose it to the Colorado General Assembly,” Davis said.

Niwot Business Association

Niwot Business Association members met at the Milestone Family Medicine office on Sept. 14. Dr. Lynn Walker talked about her family practice work at the clinic, which is part of the Longmont United Hospital network.

Some of the Boulder County residents displaced by the recent Fourmile fire have been looking for rental homes in Niwot, NBA member Karlynn Spreder of Colorado Landmark Realtors told the group. “They are looking for three-to-six month rentals, and some are looking for a year-long rental while they rebuild,” she said.

Collections at Nostalgia Days events for the firefighters who lost their homes while fighting the fire netted more than $700, said Robin Abb of Rockin’ Robin’s Retro and Resale. “We have a wonderful community,” she said.

The funds are being donated to the Boulder County Firefighters Association, which is distributing the money to firefighters who lost their homes and to fire departments which lost stations. A $10 donation can also be made through mobile phones by texting FIRE to 27722.
Abb told the group that Nostalgia Day was very successful, and said an album of photos from the event has been posted on Niwot’s Facebook page.

Tim Wise reported that the Niwot Cultural Arts Association has been able to have Whistle Stop Park designated as a tax-exempt property. “That’s a relief,” Wise said.

Wise added that the NBA is very grateful to the Cottonwood Homeowners Association for working with the town to host the tree carvings and dedication ceremonies.

ColoradoTown.com CEO John Brooks updated members about recent filming his company had done in Niwot during Nostalgia Day. The company is producing a video about Niwot for its series of videos about small towns in Colorado.

Brooks told NBA members that he plans to do additional interviews in the last part of September, and that the video should be completed and posted on the Coloradotown.com website by late October or early November. He said Niwot businesses have been very supportive of the project. A banner advertising the completed video will be posted on the NBA’s website.

Bert Steele of the Niwot Market told NBA members that he is installing a new produce department display area in October.

“Some guys my age might have bought a Corvette,” he joked. “I bought a new produce department!”