City launches $3 million initiative to support small businesses

During a recent government meeting, officials provided updates on initiatives aimed at revitalizing 16th Street, focusing on branding, marketing, and business support amid ongoing construction. The discussions highlighted a $3 million business stabilization contract approved by the council in 2022, which aims to assist small businesses affected by the construction on the 16th Street Mall. This contract, funded through general fund dollars, is set to run until the end of 2025 and has already supported 122 businesses as of June.

The Downtown Denver Partnership (DDP) has launched a dedicated website, \"Y Downtown Denver,\" designed to assist prospective retailers and property owners by offering demographic insights and information on available spaces in the area. This resource aims to facilitate business recruitment and retention as the city navigates the challenges posed by construction.

In addition to business support, the meeting showcased efforts to enhance the public experience on 16th Street. Colorful wayfinding signage has been installed to guide customers to local businesses, ensuring continued patronage during the construction phase. Furthermore, DDP is collaborating with students from CU Denver to develop four prototype vending kiosks, with the first expected to be operational by the end of summer.

The meeting also addressed the ongoing evolution of the \"Pop Up Denver\" initiative, which has successfully introduced a push cart program. DDP is in the process of selecting a vendor to create a new identity for 16th Street, aiming to establish it as an iconic pedestrian thoroughfare in the future. These initiatives reflect a concerted effort to revitalize the area and support local businesses during a transformative period.