OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Golden DDA Business Meeting - August 17, 2026: Project Prioritization and New Commitments

City Council & BoardsMonday, August 17, 2026
BodyGolden, Colorado
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateMonday, August 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:28:56

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Things but we are just officially recording that okay to do pilot error.

0:06

Um we had a really good discussion on August 5th about our committed projects and a discussion of some potential projects that had already been discussed before and then some new ones that were discussed that day.

0:24

As an offsite meeting, the three projects that were advanced to committed projects preliminarily would require your endorsement this evening because we are not able to take official action outside of a regular business outside of a business meeting.

0:44

It could be a special business meeting.

0:46

So what I would propose to do is we can give you some update, including some exciting update about the three that we're just adding and then get into the prioritization of other projects that you'd like the DDA and the staff members to be working on.

1:07

So some of this is redundant, but prospector alley 14th to 15th is to be scheduled for September.

1:17

The specialty paving contractor that can do it was not previously under contract with the city, and it was earlier going to go on the 11th, but I believe it's going on the 25th this month for that contract.

1:33

So sorry, uh we continue to um work planning with the 12th Street Plaza subcommittee for October 10th event, and in fact the subcommittee has a meeting tomorrow with some of the participating stakeholders.

1:52

Oh, can you send out an invite to the board for that to save it?

1:57

11 to 3 October 10th, 2026.

2:04

Over on 12th Street.

2:05

Um we have a new plan for Santa.

2:10

And Tim will be meeting with a different contractor who we think can um handle the job this week and meeting up with the shops with our street maintenance folks who know Santa and the reindeer quite quite well.

2:25

Um for the Miners Alley Lighting Project, um, we are now under contract with our master services agreement for electric work.

2:36

Who also Tim will comment on how that affects Parfa Park, and so I'm working with them.

2:42

Starting with looking to see if there are some fixtures that would work in Miners Alley between 12th and 13th that are solar, and also thinking about character of downtown.

2:57

Um I think we would want to not only talk to the neighboring stakeholders but also the board about the fixture choice.

3:06

Um the benefit of solar uh for one thing, it would be a lot easier than boring electric to seven five different poles up and down there from the middle of the block where the parking district is paying for some electrical work in that surface parking lot.

3:24

Uh but the other one is to be more sustainable, and the standards for a pedestrian light like that.

3:30

Um, you know, one of the things you think about is will it last all night on December 21st, the shortest day of the year, and that's something to think about, but personally I don't think that it really has to last from 2 a.m.

3:44

to 6 a.m.

3:45

in the middle of the winter because there are lights and the lights in the north half of the parking lot will all be operational at that time.

3:53

Promise.

3:54

It won't be as well.

3:55

That's where the electricity is coming from for the for the design of the creek corridor east of Fourth Street.

4:02

That project is underway.

4:05

Um there would be some level of update.

4:08

It's mostly a technical review of the potential to do the Tucker Gulch channel change to lay back the slopes and create the park areas.

4:18

Um there'll be an update to be later on this fall.

4:21

Um for wayfinding, we're working on the maps and some wayfinding directional wayfinding.

4:29

You're also working on two other projects with planning on wayfinding.

4:33

Yes, they're going to be updating the uh parking structure signage, um, and they'll have like an indicator of how full they are and that would be I think a really nice addition to let people know that there is almost always availability in our downtown garages, and then we are working on uh side street weight finding for businesses that are not on Washington to try to reduce um congestion and also do a better job of uh distributing our crowds uh off of off Washington.

5:02

So formally the DDA had helped with those signs in the past, and we'll be coming to you once we have like actual designs for your consideration.

5:14

Do we do we know since we'll have a digital re of availability in the garage, will there also be an online resource for that too?

5:20

There has been three years.com.

5:32

I think so.

5:34

Yep, that's it.

5:34

Park Bolton Co.

5:36

It also includes the what's called the Clear Creek Lots, the free lots up on 10th Street.

5:40

Awesome.

5:42

For Parford Park, Tim and Abdullah and the Parks folks will be meeting with our master electrical services people to last time we looked at it.

5:54

We were trying to figure out what would be the right level and product for event support if we wanted to reduce generator use, maybe not totally eliminated, but the parks folks have some other interests in upgrading electricity there.

6:10

So Tim and Abdullah are working on that one and trying to get a meeting set for soon.

6:16

For the Ford Street undergrounding, I spent a good amount of time myself and the Clayworks people and Excel working on that, but I think they're close to an estimate.

6:28

The driver for the estimate is the block from 9th to 10th where Clayworks indicates they want to build some residential.

6:38

I don't know if they'll actually start next year, but they are they're hoping to see their portion of the undergrounding by next spring.

6:47

One question for later this year will be whether this is a 20.

6:51

Excel generally wants the money way up front.

6:54

So whether this is a 26 contribution or 27, and you've not formally agreed to do it until you see the cost, of course.

7:03

Um Trash Recycling Pilot Project, I don't think we have any update from two months ago when we spoke to you.

7:10

Teresa Worsham and her staff are working on that.

7:14

58 gateway continued discussions.

7:17

Um we decided to keep that last time.

7:22

But there's there's not a ton going on with that, although we did contract with the same landscaper who did the big cleanup last year to do a cleanup this probably by the end of the month, so it'll be good till next spring with keep the growth down.

7:40

And then the new ones.

7:42

So Public Works has agreed that they have the capacity and desire to manage the I should have worded this differently.

7:54

So it's not 11th and Jackson Streetscape Early Project, it's um 11th from Prospector Alley to Jackson Street.

8:04

Um the fast track would be designed this year and build um either spring or fall of next year.

8:12

The slow track would be designed next year and build next year.

8:15

So that'll be part of our budgeting process.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████████████20%
Parks and Recreation█████████████████17%
Community Engagement█████████████████17%
Transportation Safety████████████12%
Procedural████████████12%
Strategic Planning████████8%
Economic Development█████5%
Public Engagement████4%
Historic Preservation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Golden DDA Business Meeting - August 17, 2026: Project Prioritization and New Commitments

The Golden Downtown Development Authority met on August 17, 2026, at 5:30 PM at 911 Tenth Street. The board discussed and voted on project priorities from an August 5 strategic meeting, approved three new committed projects, and identified four additional priority efforts. Commissioners also provided updates on recent events, subcommittee work, and upcoming activities.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of the July 20, 2026, Business Meeting Minutes: Motion by Ball, seconded by Miller, all commissioners present agreed.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made during the meeting.

Discussion Items

  • DDA Strategic Meeting Recap and Project Prioritization: Executive Director Steve Glueck presented outcomes from the August 5 strategic meeting. The board was asked to formally endorse three new committed projects: 11th Street from Prospector Alley to Jackson Street sidewalk and streetscape project, active participation in the Goosetown Neighborhood Study, and planning/planting of big legacy shade trees. After discussion, the board considered a prioritization spreadsheet with short-, medium-, and long-term projects. Commissioners voted individually on potential projects, leading to consensus on four additional priority efforts: Ford Street underpass design, commuter rail advocacy, Red Rocks event shuttle, and catalyzing redevelopment of the wire transfer block and Wells Fargo block on both sides of 13th at Ford (combined due to same developer). Commissioner Ball moved to adopt the priorities as outlined by staff; seconded by Brad Miller; all in favor. The motion included the three committed projects and the four additional priority efforts.
  • Cozy 101.1 Radio Holiday Sponsorship: Staff presented a partnership opportunity with Cozy 101.1 for a live broadcast event in November, costing $35,000 total, with $7,500 requested from DDA, Visit Golden, and Golden Hotel each. Commissioners requested more information and noted it was not on the agenda; board indicated general favorability but deferred formal decision to next meeting.
  • Commissioners' Comments: Brad Miller and others provided positive feedback on the first Golden Hour event (rain did not deter turnout, many locals attended). Tim Gerhold raised concerns about an increase in transient/unhoused individuals causing safety issues downtown; other commissioners echoed concerns and noted interest in consistent police presence. Chief Wagner is expected to attend the September DDA meeting to discuss trends.

Subcommittee and Liaison Updates

  • Development Subcommittee: Will meet soon.
  • Grants Subcommittee: No updates; a grant proposal may be considered next month.
  • Special Events Review Committee: Jerry reported new leadership and restructuring grant applications into quarterly batches for easier processing.
  • 12th Street Plaza Ad Hoc Committee: Meeting scheduled for October 10, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., to host a block party positioning the DDA to educate the community about its role. Committee is also exploring historical significance of the site with the Golden History Museum.

Staff Report

  • 2026 Budget Tracker: Property tax projections were accurate; sales tax increment data for Q2 is forthcoming; grant expenditures have slowed; budget appears on track.
  • Project Updates: Paver work on Washington Avenue crosswalks is progressing; brick crosswalk work expected to start next week on 10th and Washington, then move south. Streets team has received positive feedback from businesses. Other updates: Demolition underway for 817 14th Street affordable housing; Clayworks Building 1 tenant finish continues; Miners Alley lighting project under contract; Ford Street undergrounding estimate pending; Trash/recycling pilot still under investigation; 58 Gateway cleanup contracted.
  • Police Visit Scheduled: Chief Wagner or special operations unit will attend September DDA meeting to discuss downtown issues.

Key Outcomes

  • Motion to adopt project priorities: Unanimously approved. The three new committed projects (11th Street streetscape, Goosetown study, legacy shade trees) and four additional priority efforts (Ford Street underpass design, commuter rail advocacy, Red Rocks event shuttle, catalyzing wire transfer/Wells Fargo redevelopment) are now board-directed.
  • Consent agenda approved: July 20, 2026, minutes approved.
  • Cozy radio sponsorship: Deferred; board expressed openness but will revisit at next meeting.
  • Next steps: Staff to develop action plans for priorities; Development Subcommittee to meet on redevelopment strategy; 12th Street Plaza event planning continues; Police department to present in September.

Meeting Transcript

Things but we are just officially recording that okay to do pilot error. Um we had a really good discussion on August 5th about our committed projects and a discussion of some potential projects that had already been discussed before and then some new ones that were discussed that day. As an offsite meeting, the three projects that were advanced to committed projects preliminarily would require your endorsement this evening because we are not able to take official action outside of a regular business outside of a business meeting. It could be a special business meeting. So what I would propose to do is we can give you some update, including some exciting update about the three that we're just adding and then get into the prioritization of other projects that you'd like the DDA and the staff members to be working on. So some of this is redundant, but prospector alley 14th to 15th is to be scheduled for September. The specialty paving contractor that can do it was not previously under contract with the city, and it was earlier going to go on the 11th, but I believe it's going on the 25th this month for that contract. So sorry, uh we continue to um work planning with the 12th Street Plaza subcommittee for October 10th event, and in fact the subcommittee has a meeting tomorrow with some of the participating stakeholders. Oh, can you send out an invite to the board for that to save it? 11 to 3 October 10th, 2026. Over on 12th Street. Um we have a new plan for Santa. And Tim will be meeting with a different contractor who we think can um handle the job this week and meeting up with the shops with our street maintenance folks who know Santa and the reindeer quite quite well. Um for the Miners Alley Lighting Project, um, we are now under contract with our master services agreement for electric work. Who also Tim will comment on how that affects Parfa Park, and so I'm working with them. Starting with looking to see if there are some fixtures that would work in Miners Alley between 12th and 13th that are solar, and also thinking about character of downtown. Um I think we would want to not only talk to the neighboring stakeholders but also the board about the fixture choice. Um the benefit of solar uh for one thing, it would be a lot easier than boring electric to seven five different poles up and down there from the middle of the block where the parking district is paying for some electrical work in that surface parking lot. Uh but the other one is to be more sustainable, and the standards for a pedestrian light like that. Um, you know, one of the things you think about is will it last all night on December 21st, the shortest day of the year, and that's something to think about, but personally I don't think that it really has to last from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. in the middle of the winter because there are lights and the lights in the north half of the parking lot will all be operational at that time. Promise. It won't be as well. That's where the electricity is coming from for the for the design of the creek corridor east of Fourth Street. That project is underway. Um there would be some level of update. It's mostly a technical review of the potential to do the Tucker Gulch channel change to lay back the slopes and create the park areas. Um there'll be an update to be later on this fall. Um for wayfinding, we're working on the maps and some wayfinding directional wayfinding. You're also working on two other projects with planning on wayfinding. Yes, they're going to be updating the uh parking structure signage, um, and they'll have like an indicator of how full they are and that would be I think a really nice addition to let people know that there is almost always availability in our downtown garages, and then we are working on uh side street weight finding for businesses that are not on Washington to try to reduce um congestion and also do a better job of uh distributing our crowds uh off of off Washington. So formally the DDA had helped with those signs in the past, and we'll be coming to you once we have like actual designs for your consideration. Do we do we know since we'll have a digital re of availability in the garage, will there also be an online resource for that too? There has been three years.com. I think so. Yep, that's it. Park Bolton Co. It also includes the what's called the Clear Creek Lots, the free lots up on 10th Street. Awesome. For Parford Park, Tim and Abdullah and the Parks folks will be meeting with our master electrical services people to last time we looked at it. We were trying to figure out what would be the right level and product for event support if we wanted to reduce generator use, maybe not totally eliminated, but the parks folks have some other interests in upgrading electricity there. So Tim and Abdullah are working on that one and trying to get a meeting set for soon. For the Ford Street undergrounding, I spent a good amount of time myself and the Clayworks people and Excel working on that, but I think they're close to an estimate. The driver for the estimate is the block from 9th to 10th where Clayworks indicates they want to build some residential. I don't know if they'll actually start next year, but they are they're hoping to see their portion of the undergrounding by next spring. One question for later this year will be whether this is a 20. Excel generally wants the money way up front. So whether this is a 26 contribution or 27, and you've not formally agreed to do it until you see the cost, of course. Um Trash Recycling Pilot Project, I don't think we have any update from two months ago when we spoke to you.

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