Lafayette Downtown Development Authority Regular Meeting - August 11, 2025

The Lafayette Downtown Development Authority (DDA) held its regular meeting on August 11, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The agenda included presentations on a new DDA logo and an update on the Old Town Lafayette marketing campaign, as well as introductions to the draft 2025–2026 work plan and budget. The meeting also covered staff updates and commissioner reports.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes of the July 17, 2025 meeting were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke.

Presentation: Lafayette DDA Logo Options

• Graphic designer Emmy Hall presented four logo concepts. The designs were inspired by elements such as the Festival Plaza sun sails, the iconic balloon sculpture, and a paintbrush/stroke motif. Key principles included working with existing city and Old Town color palettes, legibility in black and white, and versatility across horizontal and vertical formats. Commissioners provided feedback, noting the need for a logo that balances fun and professionalism and is distinct when used without text. No selection was made; a survey will be sent to commissioners.

Presentation: Old Town Lafayette Marketing Campaign

• Lisa and CJ from Cone Marketing presented an overview of the marketing efforts since 2021, originally launched under the Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority (LURA). Key results included:
  • Website: 8,000 total users (January–July 2025), 55% of traffic from organic search, 755,000 organic impressions.
  • Social media: Over 4,000 followers on Instagram (grown from zero), engagement rate of 6.12% (benchmark 2–6%).
  • Newsletter: 1,215 subscribers, 46% open rate (industry average 21–25%), 6.7% click-through rate (industry average 2–2.5%).
  • Project Hopscotch: Raised $1,600 for art scholarships, had 3,000 landing page visitors in four weeks.
  • Blog: 993 users, 50% of organic search traffic.
• Commissioners discussed the need for better communication with businesses, more frequent on-the-ground presence, and a refresh of the marketing plan to reflect current conditions. Commissioners also raised the possibility of targeting visitors to major events (e.g., Peach Festival) and exploring paid advertising. The presentation confirmed that the current contract is month-to-month, and that Cone was hired under LURA; a new contract with the DDA would be negotiated.

Discussion: Draft 2025–2026 DDA Work Plan

• Executive Director Bridget Keating introduced the draft work plan, organized around six priority areas from the action plan plus governance/communications. Key proposed initiatives included:
  • Business support: maintain business directory, explore small business grant program, host quarterly networking events, and develop a small business toolkit with advising.
  • Land use: property owner outreach, GIS-based district property inventory, support for redevelopment of key vacant sites (Chase Bank, Avon Retail, former Lafayette Florist), and creating a redevelopment funding toolkit.
  • Marketing: review Cone campaign ROI, finalize district marketing approach (consultant vs. staff), and evaluate banner program.
  • Creativity and culture: microgrant program to support events, arts, and cultural programming (e.g., Lafayette Music Festival, vacant storefront activations).
  • Public space: partnership with Farmers Market, wayfinding update plan, explore parklet program, continue holiday lights.
  • Connectivity: advocate for multimodal transportation investments, audit parking lot leases, assess alley conditions.
  • Governance: finalize DDA branding, launch communication strategy, provide annual report and progress dashboard.
• Commissioners emphasized the importance of boots-on-the-ground engagement and ensuring marketing maintains an authentic, hometown feel. Commissioner suggested adding an annual board self-assessment to governance.

Discussion: Draft 2025–2026 DDA Budget

• Executive Director Keating presented the draft two-year budget. Revenue sources include:
  • Tax increment financing (property and sales tax): projected $21,000 from property tax and $43,000 from sales tax in 2026 (conservative 2.5% growth assumption).
  • LURA startup funding: approximately $2 million over five years to cover administrative fees, parking lot program, small business support, and district support.
  • Interest and miscellaneous: $52,000 interest on fund balance and $29,000 in loan repayments.
• Key 2026 expenditures:
  • Administrative fee (reduced, ~8% of budget): $37,000.
  • Holiday lights: $56,000.
  • Wayfinding design consultant: first phase of a two-year project.
  • District marketing: $100,000 (current Cone contract).
  • Downtown development (small business grants, ownership pathways): $150,000.
  • Farmers market partnership: $25,000.
  • Creativity and culture microgrant: $15,000.
• Commissioners discussed the need to audit existing parking lot leases and incorporate bike parking improvements. A full parking analysis is underway by Fox Tuttle. The budget will be revised based on feedback and a recommended version will be brought to the September meeting for approval and submission to City Council.

Staff Updates and New Business

• Executive Director Keating reported a positive initial meeting with Colorado Enterprise Fund regarding a potential down payment assistance program for business ownership (pathways to ownership). Further fact-finding will continue.
• Upcoming September meeting agenda will include the Farmers Market presentation, the LURA intergovernmental agreement, budget approval, and logo selection. The marketing discussion may be moved to October.
• Meeting adjourned at 8:33 PM.