5 - Discussion with the City Manager of the Draft Economic Vitality Policy and Future RedevelopmentBURA
Boulder Urban Renewat Au4hority
1300 Canyon Boulevard
PO Box 791
Boulder, CO 80306
303-441-3276
303-441-4070
www.ci.doulder.co.uslbura
MEMORANDUM
August 15, 2003
TO: BiJRA Board of Commissioners
FROM: Brad Power, Executrve Director
SUBJECT: Discussion wrth the Crty Manager at the August 20`h BURA Meehng
At the July 16`h BURA meetmg, I requested that the Board consider fundmg a staff
posihon for redevelopment m 2004 from the Boulder Valley Regonal Center (BVRC)
Revolvmg Loan Fund Although the Board expressed a willmgness to constder the
option, the consensus of the group was that addrtional details regardmg the future
direction of the Crty's redevelopment efforts is needed A mohon was passed to invite
City Manager Frank Bnzno to discuss the evolvmg economic vrtality policy and
redevelopment issues wrth the Board.
Frank w~ll attend the August 20~~' BURA meetmg to review the status of the economic
vrialrty pohcy, as well as his vision for how redevelopment actrvities will fit mto future
economic strategies. As you know, the Economic Vrtahty Action Group (EVAG) has
been workmg over the course of the last s~x months to craft the vrtality pohcy Their
work is scheduled to wrap-up by the end of August One of the consistent themes
throughout the ~VAG's work has been that redevelopment capabilities and imtiatives
have the potenhal to help shape Boulder's economic fuhue and should be mcluded m the
policy
The most recent draft of the economic vitality pol~cy is attached for your review and
mformation It mcludes language that would create a redevelopment work program
coordmated by a redevelopment specialist In addihon, an adv~sory group would be
retatned to prov~de specific direction and implementation capacity for redevelopment
pro~ects Addtttonal detatls, mcludmg how the pohcy will be put mto achon w~ll be
prov~ded by Frank at the meehng
Admm/frankbrunobura82007 doc
CITY OF BOULDER
ECONOMIC VITALITY POLICY
3rd DRAFT - August 11, 2003
INTRODUCTION: WHY BOULDER NEEEDS AN ECONOMIC VITALITY POLICY
The Boulder economy has dechned dramahcally smce the year 2000 As measured m the context
of sales and use tax collechons-tax revenue to the City of Boulder has fallen by approximately
20% over the past three years This change did not occur overnight-but reflects a long-term
structural shift that has resulted m the City of Boulder no longer en~o}nng the role of regional
retail and busmess center While some pomon of this declme can be attnbuted to the ongomg
national and mternahonal recession, the greatest measure of the problem relates to Boulder's loss
of competitive posttion
New retail competition from neighbormg commumhes that has largely been unanswered from
Boulder conhnues to dram resources that had formerly funded communrty services such as open
space, affordable housmg and transrt In addition, corporate site selechon decisions have emphed
buildmgs m Boulder, and filled others m Broomfield, Louisville and Lafayette This means that
as these busmesses expand and purchase equipment they are no longer pa}nng sales and use tax
to the Crty of Boulder Thetr relocated employees are shoppmg and eating m Boulder less often,
thus further erodmg the City's ability to fund services
In dealmg with such challenges commumhes can choose simply to reduce expenditures or
reallocate resources if there is a likelihood that the economy will rebound m the short-term In
contrast, if the downtum is related to more permanent changes then an aggressive strategy to
reverse those changes ~s demanded
In Boulder's case, a tz~rnang of the sh~p is very much m order. While hononng the past and all the
achievements that have made the community a wonderfiil place to hve, work and start a
busmess, a new focus is required Boulder will now pursue a more dehberate pohcy of fostenng
economic vitahty defined by flexibility, creativrty and compromise m the best sense of the word
City policies must contmue to reflect Boulder values and promote the qualities that make it a
livable commumty, but also must illustrate a more aggressive approach to busmess development
and customer service
The City of Boulder will work to develop a strong and sustamable economic base consistent with
~mproving the quality of life and prospenty of the community Although responsibility for the
local economy does not reside solely with City govemment, the Ctty will play a key role m
advancmg the prospects of aclnevmg success m this regard through a comprehensrve, long-term
economic vitality effort This pol~cy 1nd strategy that follows should be rev~ewed m the context
of current needs and economic conditions every 2 years and shall be the responsibilrty of the City
Manager to mamtam
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STAT~MENT OF GUIDING PRINCIPLES IN PROMOTING ECONOMIC
VITALITY
Economic vitality in Boulder must be achieved by a partnership among the public, private, and
non-profit sectors The City's role m this is to provide the processes and procedures required for
site development, invest m municipal infrastructure, and consider other mihatrves on a case-by-
case basis. This effort ~s supported directly and mdirectly through the resources of vanous
entrties idenhfied below The City will seek open commumcation wrth these orgamzations and
will~om with them when appropnate to foster a positrve climate m whtch to do busmess
The City of Boulder understands that the commLmity's economic well-bemg and overall vrtality
is central to busmesses decision-makmg The pnvate sector most often cites quality of life
factors to explam site selechon and this is most apparent when the economy is good and
competihon relatively stable This typically mcludes the state of our natural environment as well
as elements not always under the control of the City such as the quality of both primary and
secondary schools, and the skills of our workforce. Addihonally, the consistent quality and value
of mumcipal services are important factors that are considered In economically challengmg
hmes however, factors such as development review time and pro~ect approval, mfrastructure
quality and costs, and housing costs become more important The Crty's economic vitality effort
must consistently address these points.
The City must first focus on those factors that are withm rts control. We will contmue to mvest
m our utility systems as well as our transit, road, and alternahve transportation systems to ensure
rel~ability and consistency of service Addirionally, municipal investment m parks, trails, and
open space and cultural programmmg will conhnue to be miportant contnbutors to the
commumty's quality oF life and public sarisfacrion Although a new, aggressive economic
posture is now required, the City will not pursue economic growth at the expense of the quahty
of life m Boulder.
Economic Vitality also depends on the availability of housmg for a vanety of mcomc levels,
mamtenance of a fair local taxation system, and attention to the development of state-of-the-art
mfrastructure Further, the City of Boulder understands the central role that the Federal Labs and
the Umversity of Colorado play in our economy The City will take an active role m efforts to
preserve the State and Federll fitndmg for these entities and will pursue mutually beneficial
partnerships that can fiirther strengthen the Communrty's economic base
In general terms, and as stated m the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan, the goals of the City
of Boulder relative to the local economy are to encourage and support econom~c opportun~ties
which provide primary~obs, self-sustaimng employment and wages that match the skills of our
population, enhnnce retail and communrty shoppmg opportunrties, mcrease pnvate mvestment
wrthm the commumty, and tmprove the qual~ty of hfe for Boulder residents
2
Achievement of these principles is pursued in part through the following
economic and business policies, including:
• An emphasis on comprehensive, effectrve mumcipal services and mfrastructure as the
City's primary contribution to Yhe community's economic vrtality effort
• Deve(opment of a focused economic vitality program to encourage business retention,
expansion and entrepreneunal activ~ties as well as the creation and mamtenance of a
posihve chmate for retail and primary busmess The program needs to reflect that
Boulder is "open for busmess" and engaged
• Inclusion m the Crty's economic vrtahty program elements that enhance the commumty's
role in the global and domeshc marketplace
• Support for a vanety of tounsm programs and services mcluding the Crty's role m the
Sustamable Tounsm Master Plan
• Support and encouragement of the further development of arts and cultural programs that
can serve as attractors for new busmess mvestment as well as enhancmg quality of life
Action items which may be used to implement the aforementioned policies
may include the foliowing:
1. The City Manager will create an Economic Vitahty Advisory Board drawmg as needed
from the community's busmess, educational and non-profit sectors to advise the Crty
Manager and City Council on a long-term basis. A subset of the Board will be appomted
by the Mayor and serve to advise and work on urban redevelopment pro~ects
2 The City Manager will hire an expenenced Economic Vitalrty Coordmator to serve as a
liaison between the City, busmesses, and other governmental a~encies
3. The City Manager will also hire an Urban Redevelopment Specialist who is skilled and
knowledgeable as to the umque challenges and tools required for successfixl
redevelopment pro~ects
4 The C~ty Manager will work with the Economic Vitality Coordmator and Urban
Redevelopment Specialist to set a multi-year work program and tdentify measures of
success and accountabilrty for economic vitality and redevelopment efforts.
5 The C~ty Manager and City Council will review the Economic Vitality and
Redevelopment Work Program and achievements every 2 years and ad~ust as necessary
to meet changtng economic necds
6 The City will asstst m thc retention and expansion of existm~ busmesses as well as the
targeted recruitment of additional busmesses that make sense for Boulder
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7 The City will provtde assistance to business and mdustry with regards to City process and
procedures, mcludmg penodic land use code and process simpltficahon consistent with
regulatary requirements and with an emphls~s on excellence m customer care
8 The City will contmue to mamtam and enhance utility and technological mfrastruchire
and stnve to provide consistently reliable and efficient service, at the best value possible
9 The City will work with the University of Colorado, the Federal Labs and other
government agencies located m and ad~acent to Boulder to develop a fiber optic network,
as well as other resources that may be available m the firture, providmg both mternal and
external hnkages to other firms, research mstitutions, and support serv~ces
10 The City will stnve to mamtam a municipal tax and fee structure which is both
reasonable and equitable m companson to similar commumties m the region
11 The City will contmue to encourage and support the development of housmg for a vanety
of mcome levels and lifestyle needs
12. The City will develop partnerships wrth other pubhc and pnvate enhhes to encourage
entrepreneunal achvity and busmess mcubarion mcludmg the Boulder Chamber of
Commerce, Boulder Economic Counctl, Umversity of Colorado, CTEK, Small Busmess
Development Center, Workforce Investment Center, and Federal and State agencies.
13. The City will afford new and existmg busmesses and mdustnes the opportumty to seek
specific assistance pursuant to City Council-adopted ordmances and other programs
enabled by state and federal legslahon
14 The Crty will evaluate all programs and pohcies that are suggested for City Coimcil
cons~derahon to determme if there are unmtended economic or other impacts on the
commumty
15 The City will work to promote the Downtown and University Hill distncts through the
Downtown and Uruversity Htll Management Division (DUHMD), as well as other
shoppmg areas m the Boulder communrty, providmg quahty servtces related to
programmmg, parkmg, enforcement, maintenance, and alternahve transportahon modes
16 The City will parttcipate m a Cl~ent Cure outreach effort to proactively meet with area
bustnesses to assist with their current needs and ident~fy problems or opportunities Ucfore
crises arise The Claent Care program is a team approach that includes the Boulder
Chamber of Commerce, Boulder Economic Council, Downtown Bou]der Busmess
Improvement Distnct, the Untversity of Colorado and as well as members of the
Econamic Vital~ty Action Board (EVAB).
17 The Crty will consider use of specific tools such as a Busrness Use Tax Rebate to promotc
corpor~te remvestment m the commumty
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18 The City will support creation of a conference center to mcrease the opportumty for more
conferences, meetmgs, banquets, cultural and commumty events The City will work
closely w~th the Convenrion & Visrtors Bureau, the Umversity of Colorado, hotels and
other local groups to mcrease tounst vis~ts and overnight stays m the commumty
19. In concert wrth local enhhes the Crty will support and expand arts, cultural, athletic
events and other programs that mcrease economic flows to the City
20. The City will seek the advice of its Boards and Commissions and extemal organizahons
on additronal effechve economic vitahty tools
COOPERATION WITH OUTSIDE ENTTTIES
The efforts of the City and the private sector to enhance the economic prospenty of the
commumty are directly and indirectly supported by several orgamzations and entities. This
includes the Universrty of Colorado, Downtown Boulder Inc , Boulder Convenhon and Visitors
Bureau, CTEK, the Bouider Valley School Distnct, and other busmess associations Though
each has an independent focus, their work contnbutes to the overall qualrty of hfe and prospenty
en~oyed withm the community.
This effort requires the support of the ent~hes referenced below, as well as local banks, financial
mstituhons, commumty groups and exishng busmess and mdustry.
Boulder Chamber of Commerce
A dynamic organization composed of more than 2,000 busmesses that help to shape the
economy, promote commumty awareness, and set the pace for the future of Boulder County and
beyond
www boulderchamber com/chamber/default aso
Boulder Economic Council
This group of nearly two dozen busmess leaders ~s commrtted to the long-term sustamabihty of
our area's economic vitalrty and quality of life Their prionties lie m the areas of work force
recnutment and retenhon, technology and transportahon.
www boulderchamber.com/chamber/bec asp
Business Improvement District/Downtown Boulder Inc.
Founded m 2000 by the City of Boulder and active property owners, the Downtown Boulder
Business Improvement Distnct (BID, DBI) coordmates markehng and operations programmmg
to strengthen the Uusiness distnct The Busmess Improvement Distnct ~s governed by a board
representmg downtown busmesses Its ma~ar actrvit~es mclude markehng, mamtenance and
spectal events as well as prov~dmg downtown busmesses a voice m City govemment The BID
works collaboratrvely with Downtown Boulder Inc , 11oca1 non-profit or~antzation that serves as
an advocacy group for downtown
www boulderdowntown com
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CTEK
A commumty-based busmess catalyst helpmg entrepreneurs with mnovative technologies to
develop and grow profitlble, sustamable busmesses. CTEK boasts the largest group of volunteer
mentors and advisors m the consultmg world
www ctek.btz
Soulder Convention and Visitor's Bureau (CVB)
The Boulder CVB offers mformation about the city for visrtors as well as orgamzed groups
lookmg for conference and/or convenhon sites The websrte contams mformation about lodgmg,
restaurants, special events, mcettng and convenhon facilities, area attract~ons, kids' happemngs,
and much more
www.bouldercoloradousa com
University of Colorado
A ma~ar comprehensive research university with its flagship campus located m Boulder, servmg
over 28,000 students In addition to teachmg, the Umversity has a strong reseaich and
technology program that helps generate additional economic opportumttes for the community.
www colorado edu
Front Range Community College (Boulder Campus)
Along with the status of being FRCC, the largest commumty college m Colorado, is a
comprehensive, two-year, state-supported mstitution that has long been served to educate
students and tram employees.
www.fronYranee edu/
State of Colorado
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OED&IT) works with
compames startmg, expandmg or relocatmg m Colorado. OED&IT offers a wide range of
services to assist new and existmg busmesses oF every size Their mission is to fostei a positive
busmess chmate that encourages quahty economic development through financial and techmcal
assistance for local and regional act~vities throughout the State of Colorado
www state co us/oed/mdex cfm
Boulder County
Through Workforce Boulder County, Pro~ect Self-Sufficiency, the Cotmty Housmg Authority
and other programs, Boulder County provides safety net, ~ob placement and trammg services for
low mcome Boulder County res~dents
www.co boulder.co us
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
A ~omt venhire between the Boulder Chamber of Commerce and the U.5 Small Business
Admmtstrahon, SBDC provides entrepreneurs wrth access to a w~de airay of resources to help
them start, grow and thrtve The SBDC focuses on three areas of support for the small busmess
trainmg (short- and long-term), counselmg, and access to valuable resources
www boulderchambei com/c(iambet/sbde asp
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Colorado International Trade Office (CITO)
A dtvision of the Governors Office of Economic Development and Internahonal Trade, CITO
provides research and analysis of foreign markets, education on operational aspects of foreign
trade, trade shows and trade missions and nsk management mformahon
www state co us/oed/ito
World Trade Center-Denver
The World Trade Center provides educational semmars, market research services, networkmg
opportunities, and the WTC Denver Intemational Trade Library.
www wtcdn com
U.S. Export Assistance Center
This is a service provided by the U.S Small Busmess Admmistration Office of Internahonal
Trade This provides a contact to the regional SBA officer The SBA offers export assistance,
trade counsehng, trammg, legal assistance and lrterature. The SBA ~s for small to medium sized
busmesses.
www sba.QOV/oidexport/useac
University Hill Alliance
Umte$ the retail, residenrial and commercial and professional mterests of the Umversity Hill
area, for the purpose of furthering the growth, development and economic well bemg of
Umversity Hill busmesses and not-for-profits
www thehillboulder com
Admm/econpoimy3 081103
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