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DDA update: light-pole fixes, events calendar and feasibility study delivered to council
Summary
The Rawlins Downtown Development Authority reported progress on downtown lighting, several upcoming events and a recently completed feasibility study; staff requested council work sessions to discuss the feasibility study in September and October.
Pam, representing the Rawlins Downtown Development Authority and Main Street program, reported to the City Council on Aug. 5 that contractors and staff have largely resolved electrical issues affecting decorative light poles and expect to reprogram the poles within about 30 days.
Pam said she is working with incoming businesses: Great Divide Outdoors and Mimi’s at the Blake plan a ribbon-cutting and grand opening activity set for Saturday, Sept. 27. A separate pop-up educational-toy retailer from Sheridan is expected to try a temporary retail presence for several months; Pam said she expects a further update next month.
Pam described arts and community events planned for the coming months: an ArtBeat event (first weekend in October) with live music, a quilt show and artisan vendors; a junior and high-school rodeo has coordinated schedule changes; and a “Cowboy Fest”/ArtBeat tie-in is planned. Pam reported the summer “Summer Shenanigans” series drew about 3,500 attendees across three nights.
Pam also told council the DDA has secured roughly $6 million in grants and external funding for projects and events (distinct from the DDA’s operating budget). She said the DDA was created by council to carry out downtown cleanup, event management and project work and asked the council to note the distinction between the DDA’s operating budget and the larger project/grant funds.
On facilities and planning, Pam said the Ferguson feasibility study has been received; she asked the council to schedule a work session in September and another in October to review the study and discuss next steps.
Council members asked clarifying questions about event logistics and the DDA’s role; no formal action was taken on the report.
Ending: Pam asked council members to note the calendar and to refer artisans to downtownrawlins.org for vendor applications; council did not take a vote on the DDA report but agreed to follow up on scheduling work sessions.
