Lafayette Downtown Development Authority Meeting - Sept. 8, 2025

The Lafayette Downtown Development Authority (DDA) held its regular meeting on September 8, 2025, at 6:00 PM. Key agenda items included a presentation on the Lafayette Farmers Market partnership, approval of an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority (LURA), and approval of the recommended 2025-2026 DDA budget for submission to City Council. Staff provided updates on bike parking, a potential Second Fridays campaign, and the new DDA logo.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of August 11, 2025, Meeting Minutes: The board approved the minutes with a correction, passed by a voice vote without a roll call (member Jin May was not online).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public input was offered during the designated period; the chair closed public input after seeing no speakers.

Discussion Items

• Lafayette Farmers Market Partnership Presentation: Peter Keating (co-owner with his wife Margot) presented the first-year results of the Lafayette Farmers Market. The market launched in May 2025, operates Sundays 9 AM–1 PM on Public Road, and features about 75 total vendors (including 16 farmers/ranchers/dairy). Estimated weekly attendance is 1,250, with total vendor sales of $1.5–$2 million for the season. The market is grower-focused, volunteer-run, and uses 100% compostables via Color Compost, producing only two trash bags weekly. Challenges include low foot traffic compared to larger markets, high traffic control costs ($1,200 per week for police barricades), and limited SNAP/double food bucks uptake. LURA provided $25,000 for traffic control in the first year. The presentation emphasized community gathering, hospitality, and future goals of regional growth, expanded media presence, and improved food access. Board members praised the market and discussed potential support, including grants for vendor fees and deeper outreach to culturally diverse and low-income communities.
• Intergovernmental Agreement with LURA: Executive Director Keating explained the IGA framework. LURA will assign parking lot leases (11 active agreements), cover administrative costs for the first year, transfer approximately $2 million in funding (final amount pending accounting), and reassign loan repayments from two economic development projects (Foxglove/Yard Adventure: $750,000 loan, $600,000 forgivable; 210 S. Public Road: loan over 5 years). The DDA will use funds for small business support, district marketing, and maintaining amenities like holiday lights. LURA approved the IGA on August 12, 2025. The DDA voted unanimously to approve the IGA.
• Approval of 2025-2026 Budget: Keating presented the recommended budget, funded by tax increment financing (TIF) from property and sales tax, LURA transfer, and loan repayments. Revenue projections are conservative (2.5% sales tax growth). Key expenses include $50,000 for potential grant programs in 2025, and for 2026: downtown development, streetscape (holiday lights, bike racks), professional services (wayfinding design), cultural arts/community events (farmers market partnership, microgrants), and advertising/marketing. The budget also includes funds for quarterly networking events and DDA outreach. The DDA voted unanimously to approve the budget recommendation to City Council.

Staff Updates

• DDA Logo: A new logo (resembling a Google Maps pin with a sunburst) was unveiled. Next steps: brand guidelines, Spanish translation, business cards.
• Bike Parking in Old Town: A pilot bike corral is being considered near Tip Top Savory Pies, using a disused driveway cut. Sustainability Director is seeking grant funding; DDA may contribute branding or metrics support.
• Second Fridays (October–April): A community-led proposal to activate Old Town on second Fridays during the off-season. Staff suggested creating a plug-and-play marketing packet rather than DDA organizing. Board members expressed interest but noted unresolved discussions among organizers; they agreed to invite the group to a future meeting for a focused presentation.
• Agenda Lookahead: The October regular meeting is rescheduled to October 16, 2025, due to Sukkot. Topics will include 701 Pocket Park update, potential grant program introductions, annual report framework, and district marketing strategy.
• Small Business Workshops: A Workforce Boulder County workshop will be held October 8 at Lafayette Public Library; a commercial leasing workshop with the Small Business Development Center is set for October 9.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to approve the intergovernmental agreement with LURA: Passed unanimously.
• Motion to approve the recommended 2025-2026 DDA budget for City Council: Passed unanimously.
• Next Steps: Staff will bring forward grant program concepts in October, continue partnership discussions with the farmers market, and arrange a presentation on the Second Fridays concept.