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Brighton staff pushes ahead on Downtown Development Authority; plan of development and November ballot targeted
Summary
Urban Renewal and consultant team briefed council on a proposed Downtown Development Authority (DDA), summary plan of development, stakeholder engagement and a timeline that targets a July ordinance and a November ballot to create a DDA and authorize tax‑increment financing (TIF).
Officials leading Brighton’s downtown revitalization told the Brighton City Council on June 10 that they are preparing to ask voters this November whether to form a Downtown Development Authority and authorize tax‑increment financing to continue funding downtown projects after the urban renewal area expires.
Aaron Herrera, executive director of urban renewal, introduced consultants and the project team and said the DDA is intended to replace the expiring urban renewal area and serve as a steward for economic vitality downtown. “The DDA…is enabled by state legislation in the state of Colorado,” the presentation noted, and the consultants said the entity does not carry urban renewal powers such as eminent domain.
Consultants reported robust engagement: Amanda (consultant with Puma) said the team had nearly 600 attendees at pop‑up events and almost 200 online survey responses; Brad (Puma) and the team also reported a cumulative “about 850 inputs” from community engagement to date. The engagement findings showed residents and downtown users prioritize restaurants and events, activation of vacant storefronts and more pedestrian‑friendly streets. Amanda summarized the plan of development’s five topic areas—economic development, connectivity and accessibility, downtown experience, arts and culture, and a complete neighborhood—and said priority goals include filling vacant spaces, improving pedestrian access and protecting historic character.
The DDA boundary map presented is smaller than the current downtown urban‑renewal area but larger than the public‑realm study area; staff said the boundary is draft and remains open to adjustment based on council input and stakeholder feedback. Several council members urged boundary refinements to balance who benefits and who votes on the measure: some urged limiting inclusion of transient rental residents while others supported including nearby apartment properties on the grounds that more downtown residents generate customers for local businesses.
On financing and the ballot, Brad told council there will be at least two required ballot questions: (1) form the DDA, and (2) authorize tax‑increment financing. The team said a third question — authorization of an optional mill levy — might be included but that their current recommendation was to prioritize the two TIF questions given economic uncertainty. The team said it hopes to bring an ordinance for first reading on July 15 to put the matter on the November ballot.
If voters approve the DDA and TIF, council would appoint a 5‑ to 11‑member board (statute requires at least one district resident, property owner or business owner on the board; council may appoint a councilmember to serve), the consultants said. Legal counsel Tom George will work with staff on required ballot language; presenters noted that TABOR‑related ballot language can affect voter perceptions and that the team will craft language with that in mind.
Councilmembers expressed differing priorities and strategic views: some urged rapid timing to capitalize on momentum from downtown stakeholders and Burra (the urban‑renewal authority) while others cautioned that ballot language referencing taxes can trigger opposition and suggested careful boundary design to improve the odds of voter approval. Staff said they will continue stakeholder meetings, finalize the draft plan of development, refine the boundary and return with ordinance language and a more detailed public‑engagement plan before bringing the ordinance to council in July.
