[{"_1":2,"_75":-5,"_76":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6638384,"mediaKeyId","2572241-36dd8ed40ae7f6e5f38b1cc7466416ee","parentId",2572241,"title","Aurora staff report retail sales tax growth since pre‑COVID but say latest data show flattening; city exploring incentives and landlord outreach","audioSeconds",1710,"startMs",101000,"endMs",1811000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2572241-36dd8ed40ae7f6e5f38b1cc7466416ee&start=101&end=1811","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2572241-36dd8ed40ae7f6e5f38b1cc7466416ee/thumbnail_101000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6638384/Aurora-City/Douglas-County/Colorado/Aurora-staff-report-retail-sales-tax-growth-since-preCOVID-but-say-latest-data-show-flattening-city-exploring-incentives-and-landlord-outreach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6638384-fb40db01e80aae1c785c98caa002e800/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206949&Signature=UbcyA15zJePpMrE9WYrZOneZn7eRCTP3DXLeRk8xfZ2REksFuVqcedp3TUbS2D2BgA7vW1o-ZQPCXvSoDYwTsz1U2Pf-Bp~RibaJccOvW7S2t8E~6znJTTj-7gILcLrASH78q3FCfhQ2J-~TE3sfOEI8Cbo76k8bFC5id1eSQXH~UwBVYCbJA8DsGn~vnxxoY-Q0PsUGBXk7H-GC01ZQ6sr-hwtnUj6XFhr4KfX8hPHGQOvJ6jkfbn6Zy9LE2sAqxhd3LkvmDQiBzi05SB0JKAUqWuB8W71ot1jvgLlXo6mg2i6DENfLtYf4c~Fy5DLSYg0l~WiIKr~Obx8i0q9jUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Aurora City, CO","date","2025-03-12T16:51:33.707Z","article","Aurora staff told the Planning and Economic Development Council on March 12 that retail sales tax receipts remain above pre‑COVID levels but are showing a flattening trend from February 2023 to February 2024, prompting discussion of incentives and proactive outreach to property owners.

\"We have been up every year that we've been tracking it, and are way north of pre COVID levels, but there is a rounding off going here,\" Bob Oliver, business development, said during the 2024 annual retail sales tax update presentation. Oliver said the city’s retail business licenses rose overall last year (four of six wards saw increases) but that only about 34% of business licenses are for retail, with the remainder in industrial, office and other non‑retail uses.

The presentation summarized performance by retail sector. Oliver described restaurants and bars as recovering after the COVID trough but flattening in the last year; discount stores saw an unexpected drop (he suggested price rollbacks at some chains as a possible reason); building materials remained strong and tracked with local construction; furniture and other durable goods fell after pandemic buying surges; and department stores have not returned to pre‑COVID levels. Oliver said electronics/computer sales rose unexpectedly and grocery stores saw a small decline in the most recent period. \"If we are going into a recession, liquor does well in a recession,\" he said when discussing beer, wine and liquor receipts.

Council members pressed staff about causes and next steps. \"What does this look like to boost retail, attract more retail?\" Council member Jurinski asked, saying the flattening numbers were \"extremely concerning to me.\" Oliver and Janine Rostad, director of planning and business development, said the city is developing a retail strategy that will include incentives and targeted outreach. Rostad said staff already have contacted some property managers; Oliver added that once the strategy is finalized, staff plan to contact landlords to discuss renovations and incentives.

Staff described national and regional retail shifts that affect Aurora. Oliver noted Burlington Stores bought 44 former Bed Bath & Beyond sites and Ollie's Bargain Outlet acquired about 40 Big Lots locations; the city hopes some of those backfill tenants will locate here. He also cited national chains closing stores — Walgreens announced a plan to separate from Boots Alliance and close about 1,200 stores; CVS announced roughly 300 closures — and said those national shifts create opportunities and challenges for local shopping centers.

Council and staff discussed internet sales and the role of e‑commerce. Tom (finance staff) and Andrew (finance/budget) said market estimates place online marketplace sales at about 17% on average, and that the city does not have a precise local split but can pull certain marketplace figures. Mayor Kauffman asked whether Aurora may have an excess of brick‑and‑mortar retail and whether some centers, particularly marginal centers, should be redeveloped as mixed use.

Council members and staff described retail vacancy pain points in specific centers. Jurinski said she owns businesses near Hampton and Chambers and reported a vacant Walgreens and Big Lots there; she highlighted concerns about crime and lighting in vacancy-affected lots and asked whether the city is engaging potential backfill tenants such as Burlington or Ollie's. Oliver said staff have approached some property owners; where owners declined assistance the city has limited ability to intervene but is preparing incentives (facade upgrades, security grants and other measures) that may be promoted once funding and program rules are finalized. Rostad added the division will be active at the ICSC retail industry conference to meet retailers and brokers.

Small business and neighborhood updates were included in the same meeting. Chance (economic development staff) said a Dave's Hot Chicken is planned as a parcel redevelopment with an expected opening timeline around 2026, and that Daiso is slated to open in early April at the Village on the Park in Southlands. He reported the Havana Street commercial area is roughly \"about 96–97% leased\" and described turnover in restaurant leases. Naomi (Aurora Chamber of Commerce) reported multiple ribbon cuttings and that the chamber will invite city staff and council members to openings.

Council and staff discussed the restaurant sector’s particular stressors. Several speakers noted restaurants operate on thin margins and face higher costs from inflation, labor and state regulatory changes. \"We're in a shakeout mode with restaurants,\" Oliver said; Chance said long‑time operators sometimes want to retire and the city and SBDC (Small Business Development Center) are exploring exit strategies to keep legacy businesses open under new ownership.

Next steps identified at the meeting included finishing the city retail strategy, direct outreach to landlords and property managers, continued coordination with SBDC on legacy business transitions, and staff attendance at ICSC to recruit retailers. The council scheduled its next meeting for April 9.

Votes and formal meeting steps: the council approved the minutes from Feb. 12 at the start of the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning and Economic Development Policy Committee - March 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Aurora staff told the Planning and Economic Development Council on March 12 that retail sales tax receipts remain above pre‑COVID levels but are showing a flattening trend from February 2023 to February 2024, prompting discussion of incentives and proactive outreach to property owners.","taxTitle","Aurora City, Douglas County, Colorado","taxId",5767,"location","headline","","shortSummary","actionData","errors"]

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Aurora staff report retail sales tax growth since pre‑COVID but say latest data show flattening; city exploring incentives and landlord outreach