EDITOR’S NOTE: A previous version of this story did not make clear the meeting is a community meeting, and not an official meeting of the Downtown Development Authority.
AURORA | An informational meeting about the new Downtown Development Authority on East Colfax, held by the Original Aurora Neighbors, is slated for Saturday.
“There is no doubt that this will fundamentally impact the Colfax corridor, as well as the area for decades to come,” Ward I Councilmember Gianina Horton said in a statement on social media.
Voters approved the new improvement district in November, along with a Tax Increment Financing district, which will take future increases in sales and property tax revenue to stimulate economic growth and revitalize the area through infrastructure improvements.
“This does cause concerns about displacement and gentrification,” Horton said in the statement. “We have an obligation to make sure that we are prioritizing current residents and small businesses that have contributed greatly to this area over the years.”
The future board for the Downtown Development Authority or DDA, yet to be created, will decide how the funding is spent starting next year, which can include everything from updating light fixtures to creating incentives for workforce housing, security improvements, and incentivizing companies to move into vacant locations. The board will have 11 members and will be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by a majority of city council.
City officials say they will soon announce the calendar for the next steps, including the opening date for the application process.
The meeting on Saturday will allow residents, business owners and anyone else interested to ask questions, voice concerns, learn how to get involved, and give them an idea of the next steps and the timeline.
The meeting on Saturday will allow the public to ask local officials and stakeholders questions for clarity and help people get information on how to get involved.
The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Jan. 10 at the Dayton Street Opportunity Center, 1445 Dayton St. Everyone is allowed to attend, even those who do not live within the boundaries of the DDA, which roughly runs from East 14th Avenue to East 16th Avenue and from Yosemite to Peoria streets.
Expected to attend the meeting are Reid Hettich from Original Aurora Neighborhoods, Mayor Mike Coffman, City Manager Jason Batchelor and council members Alison Coombs and Horton.
Other groups planning to attend include the Dayton Street Day Laborers, the Center for Community Wealth and the Aurora Police Department.