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City hires PUMA to lead fast-paced improvement-district analysis for Boulder commercial areas
Summary
City staff introduced Progressive Urban Management Associates (PUMA) as consultants for a near-term improvement-district analysis covering Boulder’s four General Improvement Districts, including both Boulder Junction districts. Consultants said they will deliver preliminary recommendations to City Council in April and a final report by midyear.
City staff and consultants introduced Progressive Urban Management Associates (PUMA) to the Boulder Junction commissions on Jan. 22 as the firm contracted to complete a near-term improvement-district analysis covering the city’s four General Improvement Districts (GIDs), including the Boulder Junction parking and TDM districts.
PUMA principals Brad Siegel and Amanda Kennard outlined the scope and an aggressive timeline. "This project... the tagline on it is fast and furious because it is is a fairly aggressive timeline here," Kennard said, describing plans to present preliminary impressions and recommendations to City Council in April and to complete the analysis by June or July.
Why it matters: the analysis will examine near-term priorities, potential efficiencies, governance options and revenue/expense balances for each GID. Staff said the work will inform City Council as it sets midterm priorities and will connect with the ongoing Boulder Valley comprehensive plan update.
What consultants will do
PUMA said it will: review existing plans and prior studies for the city’s commercial areas; interview stakeholders; assess district functions and governance structures; and propose near-term moves to improve efficiency and delivery of services. "We're looking at the actual functions of what y'all do," Siegel told commissioners, "...and getting into the nuances of how these improvement districts operate."
Timeline and engagement
- Consultants will draft preliminary recommendations for council in April and expect to finish the project by June or July. - Staff said PUMA will work closely with commissions and departments and will return to the BJAD commissions for detailed discussion at the March meeting.
Staff and commissioners noted this analysis is intended to create tools for near-term priorities rather than to replace longer-term planning work, which the city will address later through a separate Boulder Commercial Areas Blueprint.
Ending
Commissioners were invited to provide input between now and March; staff asked commissioners to watch their email for potential targeted follow-ups and stakeholder outreach.
