There are big plans in the works for Greeley’s downtown. Here’s the roadmap to some major changes.

By Kelly Ragan

This time of year, we like to think about our goals, only in January we call them “resolutions.” The City of Greeley and the Downtown Development Authority are no different.

The plan, called Downtown 2023 – The Path Forward, tackles everything from walkability, to public safety, to the economy.

The City of Greeley commissioned a study conducted by Progressive Urban Management Associates in Denver to help craft the plan, which included a market analysis, capital improvement, assessments and more. The DDA consulted with the same group back in 2011 for the now-completed Downtown Greeley Investment Strategy.

City council will hold a public hearing and vote on the plan this week. 

The report identified a number of opportunities, including:

• A robust demand for housing

• Low cost for office space

• Underutilized connections with the University of Northern Colorado

• Capital investments needed in areas downtown such as basic sidewalks

• Disproportionate amount of land dedicated to cars, including surface parking lots

• Areas that could be more bike-friendly

• Appealing to UNC students and younger Latinos

That’s all well and good, but how do we actually get there?

You can read the entire plan here, but here’s a cross-section of highlights.

Downtown’s economy

1. Explore opportunities to bolster UNC’s Entrepreneurial Challenge to attract UNC student or graduate businesses downtown, such as creating a local investment fund financed by downtown businesses or investors. 

The Entrepreneurial Challenge, now in its 12th year according to UNC, is a competition in which participants  pitch business ideas and get feedback from industry leaders “Shark Tank” style. They then have the chance to network with other entrepreneurs and win prize money.

There are two divisions in this challenge.

The Open Division appeals to all Colorado-based entrepreneurs with a pre-launch or early-stage startup. The Collegiate Division appeals to students at the University of Northern Colorado or community colleges in the state.

For more information about the challenge, how to enter and how to learn about finalists, go to https://mcb.unco.edu/e-challenge/.

2. Facilitate housing for varying incomes and lifestyles. One of the major goals here would be to tailor housing strategies to respective sub-areas in downtown, including the newly designated University Uptown, Railway District and Central Downtown. 

 This would mean higher density housing, such as apartments, condominiums and other types in central downtown, utilizing lots and buildings in need of tenants.  

For the University Uptown, this would mean expanding ownership opportunities such as townhomes, condominiums, single-family homes and du/tri/quadplexes. The plan described this as “thoughtful infill with gentle density.”

This may include facilitating Accessory Dwelling Units (think granny flats or mother-in-law suites -- detached, separate housing on a property you can rent out), something the city recently voted to expand in a development code update.

3. Explore expanding the G-HOPE program to UNC seniors or recent UNC graduates. 

G-HOPE, established in 2015, encourages folks to buy homes and live in their community by offering some down payment assistance. The program aims to promote home ownership in Greeley’s Redevelopment District and around the University of Northern Colorado campus. The loans are interest-free, and the G-HOPE program forgives them at a rate of 20% per year they live in the house. The program also has no income requirement.

The idea is to encourage recent graduates and young professionals to stay in Greeley. The plan hasn’t yet specified if there’s an age limit or if it would have to be a buyer’s first home. 

4. Work with major regional employers in growing industries, including knowledge sector jobs (think engineers, architects, lawyers, editors, academics, etc whose job is essentially to think for a living), to identify new opportunities to establish a presence downtown. The goal here is to diversify the economy and bring in higher-paying jobs.

5. Engage business owners – existing and prospective – from Greeley’s diverse populations to promote multicultural entrepreneurship. This could include a contract with the Immigrant and Refugee Center of Northern Colorado to provide business resources and services in multiple languages or creating a bilingual business coordinator position at the city.  

Downtown’s environment 

1. Invest in streetscape improvements along 10th Street east of 8th Avenue) and  9th Avenue (north of 7th Street) that focus on improving  pedestrian experience, bicycle facilities, and signs connecting downtown to the Poudre River.

2. Consider adding amenities along the Poudre River south of Island Grove as the Poudre River Trail is extended and connections are enhanced.

3. Create more kid-friendly activities and amenities in downtown neighborhoods. This could include adding a collection of small playgrounds, potential water features (think splash pads) and other play elements.

4. Identify locations and amenities for destination public spaces in University Uptown and Railway District areas. This could then lead to the planning, designing and implementing of two new destination public spaces.  

5. Explore feasibility of creating a 9th Avenue Promenade that serves as an open space amenity running through downtown to UNC. Promenades typically include a wide, paved path for walking.  

Downtown’s experience 

1. Work with property owners to offer vacant storefronts in the short-term at low or no cost to local artists as studio and gallery space.

2. Support and adopt a holistic approach to addressing real and perceived downtown safety concerns. 

This comes as some downtown residents and business owners have been vocal about safety concerns regarding people experiencing homelessness and crime.

Part of the DDA’s plan includes connecting the homeless with resources, mental health support, employment training and other supportive services, according to the plan. This effort would include the City of Greeley, the DDA, Greeley Police Department, North Range Behavioral Services, Frontier House and Lutheran Family Services.

3. Increase the frequency and variety of live music events and festivals, as well as partnering with local institutions and organizations to increase the diversity of entertainment offerings.

4. Continue working to develop events that appeal to college students, such as runs, bike rides, music, and celebrations for UNC sports and other activities. The goal here is partly to encourage students to stay in Greeley on the weekends.

5. Explore additional ways to use Lincoln Park. This includes creating a more pedestrian-focused environment and around the park, as well as adding space for performances. The goal would be to provide daily or weekly programming to encourage people to gather and spend time in Lincoln Park.