Montrose - Daily Press

Kati O’Hare
Daily Press Writer

MONTROSE �” The Downtown Development Authority Steering Committee believes a DDA is the way to go �” as does several studies �” but the ultimate decisions falls on the voting residents, and business and property owners within the authority’s boundaries.

A DDA is a separate corporate body that is governed by state statutes. It has a board of directors approved by city council with representation from downtown property and business owners, as well as members of council. It has direct funding sources that enable its to set forth long-term visions for the authority.

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“We are one of the largest cities (in Colorado) without a DDA (or sister organization),” said Bob Brown, a member of the steering committee and downtown business owner.

Grand Junction formed a DDA about 25 years ago, and it is projected that the authority will collected about $2.2 million in 2009 from different income streams, Brown said. To read about other Colorado communities with authorities, along with other DDA information, visit www.montrosedowntown.com.

Currently, the committee is educating those within the boundaries, as well as service organizations about a DDA and its need to revive and sustain the downtown area.

Its next public meeting is Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. upstairs at the Montrose Library.

“We are looking for broader ways to communicate,” Brown said. At its next meeting, the committee will discuss how to reach all the voting entities, which includes those who live, own or lease property in the defined area (see map of proposed area).

Communication is important, as the creation of a DDA has to be approved by the voters in April, the designated area of that authority to be set sometime in January, Brown said.

There are three prongs to funding a DDA.

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Comments

a_montrose_resident wrote on Nov 15, 2009 7:09 PM:

" if exercisie my freedom of speech by using this public forum, than i will do so. if you choose to call it complaining, then you are exercising yours too. whether my comments are considered constructive, or not, i will continue to express withon my freedom in the future, as i please.. now while i'm on my soapbox, i was saying... "




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I wish wrote on Nov 14, 2009 8:37 PM:

" I wish that steering committee would steer its way to say, Nebraska. "




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Concerned wrote on Nov 12, 2009 8:27 PM:

" I think we pay enough taxes already. I know they are just trying to help, but this seems like a bad time. Maybe if economic times were better. "




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Me wrote on Nov 12, 2009 8:47 AM:

" If your conserned about a new mill levy... why don't you go to one of the DDA steering committee meetings and ask your questions there? Complaining about it on the news paper blog and not taking action is just complaining. "




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a_montrose_resident wrote on Nov 11, 2009 9:21 PM:

" i am sure that this will also be popular with residents falling into this zone. maybe i should register my house as a non profit organization to become tax exempt. "




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Confused wrote on Nov 11, 2009 7:33 AM:

" Please explain to me how higher taxes on downtown buildings will increase property values and retain renters and businesses. Higher taxes will mean higher rents which will drive out or discourage businesses from operating in the district. The city will waste a large percentage of this new tax to try to improve the downtown image, but the result will be just better looking empty storefronts. "




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You are kidding right wrote on Nov 10, 2009 10:41 PM:

" Just what Montrose needs... Another layer of government and more taxes!! I have been thinking of leaving this area and am seeing more and more reason to do so! "




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a_montrose_resident wrote on Nov 10, 2009 7:03 PM:

" looks like to me that the city is pushing to develop and grow downtown into more of a business zone. they map out a designated area for an increased tax. but, who would be volunteering to pay increased taxes as a business owner? will this attract new store fronts into the area? "




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JWeee wrote on Nov 10, 2009 2:00 PM:

" Just a point of clarification... the Mill Levy of 5 Mills will be a property tax increase on buildings within the downtown district boundaries only. This investment will help building onwers retain renters/businesses. It will easily pay for itself in increased property values and income to property onwners. "




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Joe wrote on Nov 10, 2009 10:48 AM:

" Time to start putting up VOTE NO signs. The last thing Montrose needs is more tax increses. Click on the Montrose downtown link and you will see that property tax will increase. After the last vote our sales tax went up to fix our roads and they still suck. Lets try to get that tax on a ballott to vote it away. "




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