BID E-News 
Brought to you by the                                 Durango Business Improvement District
downtowndurango.org
Issue: # 45 02/24/10

BID re-vamps to seize opportunities and meet future challenges:

As the BID moves forward toward the November renewal of the mill levy that funds its programs, the BID board of directors has heeded the advice of the recent RRC Downtown Market Assessment and realigned its staffing to further its growth as the primary Downtown advocate and promotions organization. For improved administrative effectiveness, Pam Glasco has been named community relations coordinator and will increase her advocacy of and availability to Downtown merchants. Bob Kunkel will continue as the City's Downtown business development manager, but also will serve as the BID's part-time executive director to help streamline board functions and marketing efforts. All other existing BID activities and support staff will remain in place.

New bus service from Downtown to Mercy Medical Center:

Durango Transit has launched new express bus service to Mercy Regional Medical Center, funded by a Federal Transit Administration Job Access Reverse Commute Grant. The service will depart the Transit Center at 6:30 a.m. and run every 30 minutes.  Monday through Friday, the last bus departs Mercy at 6:20 p.m.; and on Saturday leaves Mercy at 6:15 p.m. Sunday service will run May 9 through October 3, 2010, with the final bus departing Mercy at 6:15 p.m. 

www.getarounddurango.com/downloads/Durango-T-Map.pdf

Durango receives kudos from meeting planners: 

The Durango area has gained a reputation as the "new" unique place for meetings and events. The Durango Area Tourism Office (DATO) has for the first time been named one of three finalists for "Best Destination Marketing Organization-area/city with less than 25,000 in population." Nominees for this honor are hand-picked by the meeting and event planners and suppliers who read Colorado Meetings & Events magazine. Congratulations DATO!

From the mouths of merchants:

"I'd like my fellow merchants to do a better job of keeping their employees from parking on Main Avenue." Fact: The prime reason for parking meters is to create the vehicle turnover that is key to retail activity. A single car sitting all day in a single space discourages customers, plus adds to negative feelings about parking in Downtown. Do the math...1,200 metered spaces x 10 hours per day x $5 per hour of retail spending x 30 days per month is....impressive! 

Events to enjoy:

Feb. 19, Business After Hours at Durango Party Rentals, 67 Suttle Street, BodoPark, 5-7 p.m.

Feb. 24, Lunch and Learn, "Building Customer Rapport," Call 247.0312 to sign-up.

Hospital chart bloopers:

The patient was reported to be alert and unresponsive.