Westminster staff to negotiate downtown activation pilot with Chamber and business association

Westminster City Council study-session attendees heard on Monday that the Westminster Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Westminster Business Association (DWBA) have proposed a public–private partnership to activate Downtown Westminster with events, pop-ups and other programming aimed at increasing foot traffic and supporting local businesses.

The presenters asked council to direct staff to finish negotiating a one-year pilot agreement and to provide a recommended funding level. City staff said the pilot could be paid from downtown funds — not the city general fund — and offered two scale scenarios: a sample “better” package at about $200,000 and an expanded “best” package priced at about $3.3 million. Councilors during the study-session discussion signaled support for proceeding and several members voiced preference for a midrange pilot in the roughly $300,000 area.

City staff and the Chamber described the proposal as private‑sector‑led programming managed by the Chamber with support from the DWBA and regular coordination with city Parks, Recreation & Libraries staff. Jamie Chavez, a Chamber representative, told council the Downtown Westminster Business Association “represents the voices of the downtown businesses, and they are hungry for this activation.” The Chamber said it can bring its communications channels, volunteer capacity and sponsor relationships to the pilot.

Why it matters: council and staff framed the proposal as a catalytic investment that uses funds generated in the downtown district (TIF/URA and GID resources), intended to help the area grow into a sustainable mix of retail, housing and cultural activity. City staff emphasized the one‑year, pilot design and said they would require quarterly metrics and reporting — for example, attendance, business participation, and marketing impressions — before bringing a request for contract execution back to council.

Details of the pilot and funding

• Partnership and scope: The Chamber and the DWBA want to run a…