Forward by Mary Ann Huffines, LBDC Client Manager:
Jacque Wedding-Scott, Executive Director of the LDP/DDA, will be writing downtown Loveland updates for the LBDC website on project developments, events and items of interest. We thank Jacque for taking the time to keep our readers informed.
Prior to her work at the LDP/DDA office, Jacque held the position of City Manager for the City of Centennial for close to 5 years and was also the Interim City Manager of Miami, Oklahoma.
A Brief Overview of the LDP/DDA
The Loveland Downtown Partnership (LDP), created as a 501 (c)4 nonprofit, entered into a 10-year service contract with the City of Loveland in 2015 to provide for the economic revitalization and development and redevelopment of the physical downtown Loveland. That includes the coordination of activities, projects and programs to enhance and promote the downtown and its business interests The LDP is tasked with building a coalition of both public and private resources for development and redevelopment, and for creating favorable marketing of downtown businesses.
In April 2016, the branding of the Downtown District was unveiled. To follow downtown Loveland events, follow the LDP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DowntownLoveland/. The LDP is involved with the coordination of downtown events such as Fire & Ice Festival (which had appx. 40,000 attendees in 2017), Hot Cars Cool Nights, Loveland Loves BBQ, Old Fashioned Corn Roast Festival, and the Festival of Lights. Preliminary discussions about a wine festival are in the works.
The New LDP – Business Alliance
The LDP – Business Alliance serves as a business advocacy and advisory group within the Loveland Downtown Partnership (LDP). Benefits of belonging to this group are networking events, monthly business breakfast, collaborative marketing, business advocacy, VIP offerings, website presence, education & training, and much more. Membership levels vary; for more information check out the LDP website: www.lovelandpartnership.org. The Downtown Loveland Association (DLA), formerly a downtown business advocacy group, merged into the Loveland Downtown Partnership as the Business Alliance in July of 2016.
The Loveland Downtown Development Authority (DDA)
The Loveland Downtown Development Authority was created in February 2015 under the laws of the State of Colorado. The purpose of the DDA is to halt, prevent, and correct deterioration within the geographic boundaries identified as the “district,” and to create and implement development plans for the district, utilizing tax increment financing (TIF) for the completion of authorized projects that are part of a comprehensive DDA development plan – the Plan of Development (POD).
The DDA’s POD includes such projects as:
- The Pulliam Building renovation
- The Foundry & public parking garage
- The Heartland block proposed redevelopment
- Funding for railroad quiet zones
- Underground electric power
- Beautification programs (including façade improvements)
- Pedestrian and circulation improvements
Essentially, the DDA is responsible for the “hardscape” or physical improvements of the downtown. The POD is planned out for 30 years (if revenue stream is available).
