A YEAR OF UNPRECEDENTED INVESTMENT
Downtown Glenwood Springs is stronger than ever.
In 2024, we broke ground on three critical public improvement projects to continue downtown's upward trajectory: 6th Street, North Landing, and Downtown Alleys.
2024 was the year these critical projects came to fruition thanks to strong partnerships. In previous years high construction costs may have halted these investments, but we showed resilience by dedicating unprecedented amounts of DDA funds, working with City staff to win critical grants, and getting creative with project design.
Investing in downtown is true economic development. The DDA and its partners are committed to ensuring our downtown remains the community's economic engine and a source of pride for everyone. With every improvement, we are building a memorable experience for shoppers, diners, spa-goers and culture-seekers.
Together, we are championing a downtown that’s the heartbeat of a thriving community. We are striving to create a safe, connected and walkable downtown. We are fostering a place that is welcoming to residents, entrepreneurs and businesses - a place that is a magnet for investment and innovation. We are telling our community’s story through art and events.
As we take stock of our past year's achievements, we hope what is reflected throughout this report is the DDA’s comprehensive and nimble approach to improving downtown – from small projects to big, long-term investments.
In 2024, we successfully granted more money to our downtown business and property owners than ever before. We launched a new grant program to encourage evening activity downtown. We nearly quadrupled farmers market participation of folks utilizing food assistance programs. We brightened downtown’s famous Butterfly Wings with fresh paint and finish. We installed a bunch of security cameras in spaces where lots of vandalism occurs. We added beautiful handrail lights to the pedestrian bridge in Two Rivers Park. And that's just scratching the surface.
Our future is bright with you beside us as we strive to ensure Downtown Glenwood Springs serves as the economic, civic and cultural heart of our community for generations to come. Thank you for your continued support and investment in our downtown.
- Jillian Sutherland, Executive Director & Chad Lee, Board Chair
WHO WE ARE
The Glenwood Springs Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is a tax-funded district established in 2001. Revenues to the DDA are earmarked and used exclusively for the purposes of downtown revitalization. The DDA’s mission is to create vitality for the downtown; strengthening the downtown as the retail, entertainment, office, government, and tourist hub of the area - ensuring access for all.
The DDA district includes the area north and south of the Colorado River, east of the Roaring Fork River and west as far as Blake Avenue, with an emphasis on the commercial core of the city.
The DDA is governed by a seven-member volunteer citizen board and reports to the Glenwood Springs City Council with its recommendations.
WHAT WE DO
The DDA works closely with property owners, business leaders, municipal elected officials and staff, and community members to guide investment choices downtown. The proof of our success is when businesses choose to locate and expand here, where entrepreneurs can thrive in a creative and supportive environment. Vibrancy and safety are enhanced by the presence of locals and visitors in our clean and well-designed public spaces and streets.
Our work is guided by the DDA’s Plan of Development, updated and adopted by the City Council in 2020. The DDA’s role is to ensure the Plan of Development is an actionable, future-focused document. The ongoing work and projects noted throughout the Plan are realized through direct initiatives detailed within our Strategic Plan.
As our downtown grows and changes, the DDA’s advocacy work is focused on economic development, local business success, mobility, connectivity, community safety, and fostering vibrant public spaces and streets.
2024 Downtown By the Numbers
$5,400,000: Amount of DDA funding committed to public space improvements in 2024
11: Number of businesses and organizations that were provided grants offered through the DDA
$115,000: Value of grants awarded through the DDA to small businesses
9: Pairs of Butterfly Wings repainted and refinished
9: Security cameras installed downtown
14: Downtown events sponsored by the DDA
28: Local vendors featured at the Market on 7th
36: Local musicians hired to perform at the Market on 7th
2400+: Social media followers clued into downtown events
“The Downtown Development Authority is essential in maintaining what we all treasure about this community." - Marco Dehm, Mayor Pro Tem
EVENTS & ART ACTIVATION
Market on 7th
The DDA leads Glenwood’s Market on 7th, our downtown farmers market that enlivens 7th Street for a 12-week season every summer. This year, with generous support from FirstBank, the Financial Advisory Board, SGM, Glenwood Structural & Civil and DWC CPA & Advisors, the Market was able to run with no additional financial support from the DDA.
Community Table
To celebrate the closing of market season, the DDA also sponsored the first ever “Community Table” event alongside the Glenwood Branch Library, the City and the Rotary Club. Community tables were full in Bethel Plaza and folks were invited to bring their own picnics and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Find Your Wings Renovation Project
The Butterfly Wings are some of the most beloved art in downtown, and as such, they experience some wear and tear! The DDA hired local artist and brainchild behind the project, Chrissy Lee-Manes, to restore all 9 sets of wings to their original glory. Both the signs and the wings were all treated to some TLC and a fresh coat of paint and sealant. Which one is your favorite?
Public Capital Improvements
One of the key ways that the DDA supports downtown economic development is through capital investment and improvements to public amenities. This year, the DDA committed more funds than ever to these projects. Across all, $5.4M of DDA funds are being invested in public space improvements across downtown.
Special heartfelt thanks are extended to the City of Glenwood Springs staff - our most crucial partner in moving all this work forward - and to the amazing businesses that are impacted by these projects. Your resilience and enthusiasm are our inspiration.
2024 Capital Improvement Projects included:
6th Street & North Landing Improvement Projects
The community-driven 6th Street Corridor Master Plan (2017) envisioned 6th Street as a natural extension of Glenwood's strong downtown core north of the river, creating a more welcoming space for all. Both the street improvements and the transformation of North Landing are critical pieces of this plan. This year, we broke ground on both!
This project will convert the existing 5 vehicular travel lane footprint leftover from the days when 6th Street was a highway into a beautiful downtown street. North Landing, the former "landing strip" of the old Grand Avenue Bridge, will be transformed into a gathering space for North Glenwood residents and visitors.
Pictured: Old Grand Avenue Bridge & Highway 6
Underground utility work began in late summer.
Both the street improvements & North Landing will be completed in 2025.
Alley Revitalization
The DDA and City are constructing an alley enhancement project, improving all of the alleys between Grand Avenue, Blake Avenue, 7th Street and 8th Street. In 2024, “Block 45” which are the alleys along and behind the Hotel Maxwell Anderson, was completed and we broke ground on “Block 44,” or the alleys behind Juicy Lucy’s. This block will be completed in Spring 2025, afterwhich we will be hanging beautiful string lighting in both of the east-west alleys.
Beyond improvements to the traditional infrastructure and service-oriented aspects of the alleys, this project will move forward a long-held vision of creating a pedestrian-only pathway between the County Courthouse and the Hotel Maxwell Anderson (formerly Hotel Denver). Additional benefits include encouraging outdoor activities and business opportunities on adjacent private property in a critical part of downtown.
After: the utility and surface improvements to the alleys were completed. String lighting will follow in 2025.
The City & DDA began meeting weekly with the businesses that utilize the next alley being renovated - the alley between Grand Avenue & Cooper, 7th Street & 8th Street. This alley will be completed in 2025.
Two Rivers Park Pedestrian Bridge Lighting
The DDA worked with the Parks & Recreation Department to install handrail lights along the pedestrian bridge that connects 7th Street to downtown's largest park.
Cooper Avenue
Work started on the engineering designs for Cooper Avenue between 7th Street and 8th Street. When completed, the street will offer abundant street trees and landscaping, space for outdoor dining, gateway art and a beautiful, well-lit mid-block crossing at intersection of the alleyways. Plans will be completed in 2025 leaving the DDA and City with a “shovel ready” project that we can work on getting funded.
SEE YOU DOWNTOWN IN 2025!
P.S. As 6th Street and the North Landing will be under construction for most of 2025, please patronize our amazing local businesses which will remain open year-round. While storefront parking may be temporarily impacted, pedestrian access will be maintained! Please walk or bike to 6th Street, and be aware there are still plenty of places to park in the area. You can find abundant parking by visiting this map link which will be regularly updated.
DDA Board Members: Chad Lee, Chair; Charlie Willman, Vice Chair; Shelley LaDue Fishbein; Kevin Brady; Kevin Flohr; Chris Lehrman; Paula Gorra
City Council Liaisons: Marco Dehm and Mitchell Weimer
Executive Director: Jillian Sutherland
Thanks for reading! For additional questions about the work of the Glenwood Springs Downtown Development Authority please reach out to Jillian Sutherland, Executive Director at director@glenwoodspringsdda.com
Credits:
Glenwood Springs Downtown Development Authority; Joe Van Wyk and the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association