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Downtown group asks Aurora council to consider $15,000 annual partnership for 2026
Summary
The Aurora Downtown Project told the council it has generated new foot traffic, murals and events and asked council to include a $15,000 annual partnership in the 2026 budget to support operations and projects; council members asked for a detailed budget and outcomes.
Vivian Bruner, a new downtown business owner, told the Aurora City Council on Sept. 23 that local volunteers and the Aurora Downtown Project helped her open a shop and have continued to support the district.
“I began to seek information about the options that might be available,” Bruner said, describing how downtown leaders encouraged and assisted her return to Aurora. The council then heard from an Aurora Downtown Project representative about two years of Main Street work that organizers say have increased activity downtown.
The Downtown Project representative said the group has installed flower pots and murals, expanded the farmers market and hosted events that helped raise nearly $8,000 through a recently doubled golf tournament. The representative asked the council to consider a $15,000 annual partnership in the 2026 city budget to support an operational budget and projects such as a pocket park and an archway sign.
“We would like to thank you and ask your trust to consider the partnership amount of $15,000 annually to our organization,” the representative said, noting some cities invest substantially more but that $15,000 is a commonly used starter figure.
Council members pressed for details. Chairman Bridal asked how the $15,000 would be used and whether the amount was tied to Main Street accreditation; the Downtown Project representative and the city manager said the number came from Main Street guidance as a starting point and that costs vary depending on whether the community remains a participating community or pursues accreditation. The representative said some operational elements—including required conference attendance, quarterly workshops and event costs—would contribute to the annual budget.
The representative described a planned pocket park project with roughly $8,000 already raised and said a complete vision could cost closer to $15,000–$20,000. Council members asked for a breakdown of past fundraising and expenditures and for a proposed 2026 budget to be provided to the council before any funding decision.
The council did not vote on funding this request at the Sept. 23 meeting; staff and the Downtown Project agreed to provide previous-year financials and a proposed budget for council review in the coming weeks.
