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Craig officials prepare for downtown revitalization assessment

Downtown Colorado, Inc. slated to conduct two-day study beginning March 18

Joe Moylan
In less than two weeks representatives from Downtown Colorado, Inc. will be in Craig conducting an assessment of downtown Craig. The assessment, which includes focus group meetings, is designed to help revitalize Craig's historic downtown district.
Joe Moylan

If you go...

Downtown Colorado, Inc. focus group meetings

Monday, March 18

1 to 2:15 p.m. Community services focus group meeting targeted for Craig City Council members, Moffat County commissioners and city staff

2:45 to 4 p.m. Amenities and non-municipal focus group meeting targeted for service providers, such as representatives from the Moffat County School District, the Colorado Department of Transportation, Libraries of Moffat County, local museums and nonprofits.

5:45 to 7 p.m. Property and business owners focus group targeted for those in the downtown core, but not excluding owners on the periphery or throughout town.

7:15 to 8 p.m. Community at-large focus group meeting open to all interested Craig and Moffat County residents.

All focus group meetings take place at the Center of Craig, 601 Yampa Ave.

Tuesday, March 19

6 p.m. Representatives from Downtown Colorado, Inc. will present a report on its findings and recommendations for downtown Craig improvements. All focus group participants and members of the public are invited.

The presentation will take place in Craig City Council chambers, 300 W. Fourth St.

If you go…

Downtown Colorado, Inc. focus group meetings

Monday, March 18

1 to 2:15 p.m. Community services focus group meeting targeted for Craig City Council members, Moffat County commissioners and city staff



2:45 to 4 p.m. Amenities and non-municipal focus group meeting targeted for service providers, such as representatives from the Moffat County School District, the Colorado Department of Transportation, Libraries of Moffat County, local museums and nonprofits.

5:45 to 7 p.m. Property and business owners focus group targeted for those in the downtown core, but not excluding owners on the periphery or throughout town.



7:15 to 8 p.m. Community at-large focus group meeting open to all interested Craig and Moffat County residents.

All focus group meetings take place at the Center of Craig, 601 Yampa Ave.

Tuesday, March 19

6 p.m. Representatives from Downtown Colorado, Inc. will present a report on its findings and recommendations for downtown Craig improvements. All focus group participants and members of the public are invited.

The presentation will take place in Craig City Council chambers, 300 W. Fourth St.

— Strengthening Craig’s urban core is at the heart of a two-day program sponsored by Downtown Colorado, Inc. later this month.

The technical assistance program is designed to provide downtown revitalization and economic development help to Colorado communities hoping to support small business, create partnerships and develop and sustain a viable and vibrant commercial downtown, according to a city of Craig news release. Craig is hosting DCI representatives March 18 and 19.

The motivation behind the upcoming Downtown Colorado, Inc. visit began several months ago during a workshop between the Craig City Council and Downtown Business Association members who voiced a desire to bring in an outside agency to help revitalize downtown Craig, City Manager Jim Ferree said.

“They (the Downtown Business Association) were interested in learning what other Colorado communities have done to boost occupancy and improve business downtown,” Ferree said. “City Council is interested in a strong urban core for the community, and we’re not only interested in hearing from downtown business owners and residents, but also from people all over the county.”

The visit, coordinated by Downtown Colorado, Inc. is estimated to cost $9,000. DCI values the visit at more than $19,000 but is able to keep costs lower through a collaboration of private and public sector volunteers from throughout the state, the release states.

The $9,000 fee will be shared by the city of Craig, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office.

The two-day visit will encompass a detailed tour of downtown and the community, as well as a series of meetings with focus groups, including local government officials, local organization representatives, business owners, property owners and residents.

The visit will conclude with a public presentation in Craig City Council chambers, where DCI representatives plan to provide an assessment of the community as well as action steps.

Since 2005, DCI has teamed with state and local agencies to identify how best to provide guidance and support to small businesses and other service providers that work in local business districts, the release states.

Focusing on current conditions in the downtown, a team of professionals spends two days evaluating the community and facilitating focus groups to provide valuable information about the strengths and opportunities of the downtown, as well as creating the foundation from which a work plan can be developed.

All local organization representatives, business owners, property owners and residents are invited to attend the focus group meetings.

For more information about the DCI Technical Assistance program, visit http://www.downtowncoloradoinc.org.

Joe Moylan can be reached at 875-1794 or jmoylan@craigdailypress.com.


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