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City hires PUMA to review improvement districts; consultants to report preliminary recommendations in March
Summary
The commission heard an introduction from Progressive Urban Management Associates (PUMA), the consultant hired to analyze Boulder’s general improvement districts and recommend near-term and long-term governance and financing changes.
Reagan, staff member, introduced Progressive Urban Management Associates (PUMA) on Jan. 14 as the selected consultant to perform a general improvement district (GID) and business improvement analysis for downtown, the Hill and Boulder Junction. PUMA representatives Brad and Amanda described the scope and a tight schedule: a fast-paced review of existing conditions, governance tools and financial strategies, with preliminary recommendations due in March and a Council briefing planned for April 24.
PUMA said the analysis will assess the existing GID and other district tools, explore near-term operational improvements and examine longer-term options such as a downtown development authority (DDA). Brad noted PUMA helped advise Denver on a recent DDA expansion and that the firm has national experience forming and evaluating improvement districts.
Why it matters: the analysis could lead to new governance or finance tools that change how downtown services are funded and how programs such as ambassadors, marketing and maintenance are managed. Staff told the commission Puma will solicit commission feedback and meet again in person in March to review preliminary recommendations before a Council briefing in April.
Next steps: PUMA will hold the kickoff meeting, conduct outreach, and return with preliminary recommendations in March; staff and consultants requested that commissioners review the background materials and act as local subject-matter experts in the process.
