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Woodland Park DDA discusses $250,000–$450,000 in budget priorities for downtown beautification and grants
Summary
At a DDA meeting, staff and board members reviewed current fund balances and discussed proposed line items including beautification, a greenhouse pilot, a repeat microgrant program and allocations for Bergstrom Park and alley walkability; the board set an October 7 deadline to vote on a proposed budget.
At a meeting of the Woodland Park Downtown Development Authority, staff and board members reviewed the DDA’s year‑end projections and discussed proposed budget line items for 2026, including $200,000–$250,000 for downtown beautification, a proposed greenhouse pilot, a $150,000 microgrant program and separate funding for Bergstrom Park and alley walkability improvements.
The discussion matters because the DDA must decide how to use its tax increment and other revenues to catalyze downtown improvements. Aaron (DDA staff) presented year‑end figures and multiple options for the board to consider.
“We’re looking to start next year with about $1,800,000 fund balance,” Aaron said, summarizing the projection after this year’s operating expenses and debt payments. He told the board projected TIF revenues of slightly more than $1 million would leave the DDA with an estimated $2,200,000 ending balance in a baseline 2026 scenario unless the board adopts new spending.
Board members discussed priority areas. Several members said they want a dedicated beautification line that could pay for floral programs, light‑pole planters and maintenance; one board member suggested paying for contracted maintenance rather than relying solely on volunteers. The board discussed a greenhouse pilot with an estimated construction cost of $80,000–$100,000 and recurring maintenance and staffing costs; Kelly, who has floriculture experience, noted Colorado Springs grows many of its own municipal flowers and recommended consulting that operation.
Ross (city staff) cautioned that DDA funds should be used to improve the downtown area rather than simply accumulate: “The purpose of the DDA isn’t to act as a savings account,” he said. Board members discussed using a portion of the beautification line this year to buy flowers or contract services as a stopgap if a greenhouse cannot be built before the coming season.
Specific budget figures discussed included a staff suggestion to increase beautification to $250,000, keep the microgrant program at $150,000 (30 grants at $5,000 each), and allocate $50,000–$75,000 for alleyway/walkability improvements and a smaller planning study (staff mentioned a potential $25,000 match for a walkability study). Combined asks discussed in the meeting ranged from roughly $400,000 to $450,000 in new line‑item requests for 2026.
Aaron confirmed that the DDA will present a proposed budget for formal vote at the board’s October 7 meeting and that staff will provide updated revenue projections at that time. Aaron said the DDA can amend its budget later if necessary and that city council would review any budget changes.
Board members asked staff to return with clearer line items, potential grant or contracting approaches for greenhouse operations and a detailed plan for the proposed repeat microgrant program before the October 7 vote. The board did not take a final budget vote at this meeting.
For next steps, staff will prepare a draft budget that captures the line items discussed—beautification, the microgrant program, Bergstrom Park funding and alley/walkability allocations—and present revenue projections at the October 7 DDA meeting for a formal vote.
