Rick Langenberg
After months of discussion, the city of Cripple Creek is making another hefty wager in its ongoing push to generate more economic development and tourism activity: becoming a Main Street community.
In its most recent session, the council unanimously agreed to start the process of gaining state approval as a Main Street community candidate. More specifically, the council okayed a resolution for formally submitting an application to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to become a Main Street city program candidate. Ultimately, city leaders see the Main Street effort as a way to get more grants and assist local businesses and even city areas that need a helping hand; along with playing its potential tourism card in a bolder fashion.
With this action, the stage is set for the city to operate now with a forthcoming Main Street manager and establish a board, mostly comprised of representatives of the business community. A strategic plan would then be compiled in September.
The city will probably learn later in the year if the state views its application favorably.
The list of Main Street communities and completed projects is quite impressive, with Victor serving as one of the real success stories. The city of Woodland Park explored the Main Street program for a number of years, but tension reportedly occurred between Main Street leaders and the city administration. A Main Street effort was proposed previously in Cripple Creek, but it never gained much support. At the time, the Main Street program operated differently and had more of historic preservation focus. It never really got off the ground in the gaming community.
But with the new changes in Cripple Creek, and a stronger interest in making a bid as a tourist destination area, this isn’t the case any longer.
The council has readily supported the concept, but has raised some questions about the specifics, such as the board formation and the timing. Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Brown questioned officials if a chamber board would suffice, as currently active efforts are in the works for forming a regional chamber of commerce group.
City officials, though, say the success of the program really hinges on have an active Main Street board and a Main Street coordinator.
City Administrator Frank Salvato heavily praised the effort, noting that this program worked well in several of the municipalities he was involved with in Texas.
“We have had a good buy-in about creating a Main Street program. This is the first step,” noted Salvato in describing the formal submittal to DOLA and approval of a supportive resolution.
Mayor Annie Durham agreed and cited much interest in the Cripple Creek’s possible emergence as a Main Street community. She has actively talked with local business operators about the program and expressed much optimism about forming a board. “I see this as a good opportunity,” said Durham.
A few council members questioned if any negatives existed with the program, citing some correspondence they had received.
Salvato, though, didn’t see any major problems, and cited the program as good way to spruce up more activity in the downtown. He said initially the effort would not pose any financial burdens on the city. According to Salvato, the city had allocated funds for an administrative assistant in its planning department, a position that is currently vacant. Now, this position would be transformed into a Main Street manager.
Both the city council and area businesses have been briefed about the program in detail by Gayle Langley, who heads the Colorado Main Street Program, under the direction of DOLA.
Under the new Main Steet plans, the city needs to select board, consisting of five to seven people, and compile a strategic Main Street plan in September, with the help of a consultant, okayed by Langley. After the plan is submitted, a DOLA advisory board would give the thumbs up or down by the end of the year regarding Cripple Creek’s Main Street candidate application.
The only really challenges, according to government insiders, involves the time commitment. Besides the Main Street effort, the gaming community is pursuing other future economic development planning projects. Cripple Creek is currently exploring the possibility of becoming a home-rule city and is in the process of doing its first real comprehensive master plan since 2009.
New Managers Receive Warm Welcome
In other city government news, the council was introduced to the new general manager of the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mine, Bjorn Meyer, who has an extensive and diverse background in the industry. He cited a definite interest in staying heavily engaged with the community and continuing the safety track record achieved by Newmont Mining. Meyer also noted that under the new operators of CC&V, the Denver-based SSR Mining, the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining operation will play a more strategic role. CC&V will actually become one of SSR’s larger gold mining producers in the U.S. This could pave the way for more ownership stability. With past owners, CC&V always has the reputation of being one of their smaller producers, which often put CC&V on the sales block.
And as far as other presentations, the council got a short introduction from Brandon Lenssen, the new vice-president and general manager of the Chamonix Casino & Hotel. Lenssen, who sports three decades of experience in the industry, had worked more recently with the Isle Casino Black Hawk as senior director of casino operations. He originally hails from Canada.
The council enthusiastically greeted both respective managers.
