In 2016, Main Street Central City worked with a consultant funded through the Colorado Main Street Program to complete a business and building inventory. The results revealed 7 sales between 2014 to 2017 and 6 commercial listings – a bed & breakfast, former casino, a current casino and brewery, a retail location and two development opportunities – with properties ranging from $73.65/sq. ft. to $581.61/sq. ft. and two casino development opportunities.
View the complete Building and Business Inventory Deliverables with the below links:
- 2020 Growth IGA
- 2020 Growth IGA Amendment
- Market Analysis 2020
- Scarlet's Proforma 2019
- Scarlets Commercial Property Inspection 2019
- Walker Consultants Parking Study 2019
- Walker Consultants Central City Parking In-Lieu Study 2017
- Central City Capital Improvement Plan
- Central City Downtown Connectivity and Circulation Capital Improvement Plan - 2015
- Parking Feasibility Study 2012
- Crowely Economic Impact Study 2010
- Doc Holiday Circulation Plan
The HEAL Cities & Towns Campaign of Colorado is designed to foster local government policies that improve access to healthy eating and active living (HEAL) in communities throughout Colorado. The campaign is a partnership between LiveWell Colorado, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to healthy eating and active living by removing barriers that inequitably and disproportionately affect low-income communities and people of color, and the Colorado Municipal League, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that has served and represented Colorado's cities and towns since 1923. The goal for the HEAL Cities & Towns Campaign of Colorado is to help build healthier communities and support local leaders in their commitment to address both a city’s physical and fiscal health.
For more information about LiveWell Colorado, visit their website, like LiveWell Colorado on Facebook or “follow” @livewellco on Twitter.
In fall of 2018, Central City received funding from LiveWell Colorado to conduct a food assessment. See the final deliverable below:
The City of Central prepared the Central City Trails Master Plan (Plan) paid for in part by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO). The Plan addresses potential trail development for an intra-city trail network, trail connections to neighboring networks, and outdoor recreational opportunities. The Final Trails Master Plan was approved by City Council on December 1, 2020.
Disclaimer: The City supported the students and the universities in these efforts, but does not formally support any findings represented, until further review and consideration is made by the City.
Hometown Colorado Initiative – University of Colorado Denver
During Fall 2019, Central City participated in the Hometown Colorado Initiative, an initiative to connect communities in Colorado with the wide-ranging knowledge and academic discipline of the University of Colorado Denver faculty and students to address local issues that advance community livability and quality of life. Through this partnership, there were two student projects including 1) developing a trail and 2) preservation and restoration of the Masonic Lodge.
Trail Development
The trail development project consisted of researching how to develop a trail from the downtown core, starting in the Teller Lot, connecting to William C. Russell Park.
Masonic Lodge Preservation and Restoration
The Masonic Lodge project included researching the historical background and significance of the property, producing a site plan, determining appropriate avenues for rehabilitation and/or reconstruction, and developing three complete plans for the building based on historic preservation principles.
Rural Technical Assistance Program – University of Colorado Boulder
In September 2019, Central City was accepted to participate in OEDITs Rural Technical Assistance Program (RTAP) with a focus on growing our outdoor recreation economy. This planning assistance established a partnership with students in the Master of Business Administration and Master of Environmental Studies at University of Colorado Boulder. The students explored economic opportunities related to outdoor recreation. The project included site visits, community engagement, economic exploration, and recommendations to provide an actionable outdoor recreation development plan.
Central City joined Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy program to help communities achieve energy goals and enable local residents and businesses to reduce their energy bills and carbon footprints. Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy will help Central City put its energy goals into action. On October 6, 2020, City Council adopted Resolution 20-35 approving the Energy Action Plan and authorizing execution of the Memorandum of Understanding for Phase 2 - Plan Implementation.
Our goals include both residential and commercial energy efficiency as well as providing EV charging in the downtown core.
In effort to encourage residential participation in energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, we prepared the Energy Resource Guide for Historic Residential Properties, though this may be applied to non-historic structures. Learn about programs and rebates available to homeowners and start saving today!
For commercial properties, the average Central City business spends about $2,500 annually on energy, though some businesses may pay more or less depending on size, equipment, and building efficiency meaning there are good opportunities to increase efficiencies across the board. A great first step may be participating in Xcel Energy's Business Energy Assessment and a quick review of the Commercial Resource Guide.
Technical Advisory Panels (TAPs)
Since 1947, the Urban Land Institute Technical Advisory Services program has assembled 400+ ULI-member teams to help TAP sponsors find solutions for issues including affordable housing, economic development, placemaking, healthy communities, walkability, public-private partnerships and infrastructure, among others.
Technical Advisory Panels (TAPs), composed of qualified and unbiased ULI Colorado members who volunteer their time, bring relevant expertise directly into communities to address difficult real estate and land use challenges. TAPs are designed to provide practical and actionable recommendations that produce results on the ground. They are not academic exercises, but are intended to be blueprints for positive change. TAPs help communities establish this direction and inform next steps, including targeted investments in planning, economic development and infrastructure.
In Colorado, ULI Technical Advisory Panels have provided solutions for such key sites as Five Points, the Colorado Convention Center, Coors Field, Fitzsimons, and the Denver Justice Center. Since 2003, ULI Colorado has completed more than 50 TAPs leading to positive policy changes and built projects.