Wheat Ridge to Participate in Community Revitalization Partnership Technical Assistance Visit with Department of Local Affairs and Downtown Colorado, Inc.

December 2-3, 2009

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Downtown Colorado, Inc. (DCI) is pleased to announce the upcoming Community Revitalization Partnership (CRP) technical assistance visit in Wheat Ridge December 2-3, 2009, sponsored by the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and Wheat Ridge 2020. The CRP visit will focus on market analysis and revitalizing the 38^th Street corridor.

“We bring in a team of professionals for an intense two-day visit where we scrutinize current downtown conditions, conduct focus groups, analyze the community’s strengths and opportunities, and develop a work plan for the 38th Street commercial district to reach its goals.”

Since 2005, DOLA and DCI have teamed up to offer economic development technical assistance visits to Colorado communities involved in downtown revitalization.

“In this difficult economic climate, it is more important than ever to keep your downtown or business district thriving for the sake of the entire community,” says Katherine Correll, Executive Director of Downtown Colorado, Inc. “We bring in a team of professionals for an intense two-day visit where we scrutinize current downtown conditions, conduct focus groups, analyze the community’s strengths and opportunities, and develop a work plan for the 38^th Street commercial district to reach its goals.”

Through the CRP program, a technical assistance visit, valued at more than $19,000, is provided to accepted applicant communities for only $3,000 plus travel expenses, after DOLA’s reimbursement. A majority of the team volunteers their services and the remainder provides services at a highly discounted cost. The Wheat Ridge CRP team will be composed of urban designers, city planners, market analysis specialists, DOLA representatives, and downtown revitalization professionals.

The two-day assessment includes a detailed tour of Wheat Ridge and a full day of focus groups with local government representatives, local organization representatives, business owners, property owners, and residents. The visit will conclude with a presentation to the public providing an assessment of the community as well as action steps. Media is encouraged to attend focus groups on December 2^nd as well as the public presentation on December 3^rd.

For further details or to download an application, please visit www.downtowncoloradoinc.org. Communities interested in a 2010 CRP visit should submit applications by December 31, 2009.

Downtown Colorado, Inc.

Established in 1982 as the Colorado Community Revitalization Association, Downtown Colorado, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit membership organization that aims to build better communities by providing assistance to downtowns, commercial districts and town centers in Colorado. Organization members represent downtown organizations, local governments, development and improvement districts, consultants, individuals and others involved in downtown and community development.