WCBID has recruited the Justice League of Street Food, street performers and B-Cycle for West Line Opening Festivities on Saturday April 27th.  Encompassing two sites, the Perry Street station and the block at the corner of Colfax and Raleigh, the event also features live music, from Spanish guitar to a civil war brass band at one end, and adult drinks, a DJ and kids’ activities at the other.  Ride the rails and you might even find a whimsically costumed party troupe to lead you to Raleigh (and back).  Indeed, The Party Doesn’t Stop @ Perry!     B-cycle and a musical line up kick off the day at 10am at the Perry Street station (see below).  That will continue past 4pm when a civil war brass band takes the stage. After 2pm, march, ride or shuttle on up to Colfax & Raleigh for the first Justice League of Street Food event of the season.  The Colfax location will feature a host of food trucks and adult beverages (including Avery food and beer matching and local spirits tasting) and entertainment.  It will go until 8pm (see below and Eater Denver).

Come see how artists have captured the dynamic character of Colfax Avenue, the epicenter of entrepreneurial and cultural activities in the metro area for more than 150 years!

DENVER, CO ­— Thursday, Feb.11, 2013 — Denver businesses on East and West Colfax Avenue will be getting new coats of paint, windows and exterior lighting with grant support from The Fax Partnership and West Colfax Business Improvement District in 2013.
The Denver Office of Economic Development (OED) awarded both organizations approximately $30,000 each in matching grants, to help businesses improve street appeal, pedestrian experience and safety. In addition, up to $100,000 in loan funds will be offered by the Mile High Community Loan Fund for property owners undertaking larger projects.

“Helping our small, locally-owned businesses succeed is a key part of the city’s economic development strategy,” said OED Executive Director Paul Washington. “We’re proud to support façade improvements that further enhance the vitality and character of our Colfax corridor.”

The grant funds are made possible through the city’s Community Development Block Grant federal funding.

“This investment reflects the City of Denver’s commitment to Colfax as its Main Street and laboratory for what works in economic development,” says Dan Shah, director of the West Colfax BID.

Last year’s pilot façade program with the FAX Partnership has shown that “little improvements add up,” says Hilarie Portell, the executive director. “Small business owners are slowly recovering from the recession, and many want to fix up their buildings. These grants help offset their costs and in some cases have incentivized larger projects.”

Examples of 2012 façade grants include:

• Multi-tenant building at Colfax and Cherry Street – new exterior lights
• Phoenician Kabob Restaurant at Colfax and Ivy Street – new signage
• Axum Restaurant on Colfax and Hudson – new exterior paint
• Weisco Motorcars at Colfax and Olive Street – full renovation of long-vacant building
• State-Wide Lock & Safe at Colfax and Roslyn – new exterior siding
• Multi-tenant building at Colfax and Quebec Street – new exterior paint

Grant funding from the OED to the FAX Partnership in 2012 leveraged approximately $80,000 in private investment by the businesses. With this year’s grant support, the two organizations anticipate leveraging $100,000 each in investment by businesses.

“We look forward to working with Colfax property and business owners and the Colfax BIDs in leveraging these grant funds to make property improvements that attract customers and strengthen their businesses, “ said Jeff Seifried, executive director of the Mile High Community Loan Fund. “We’re a customer-focused lender and our staff is eager to discuss façade projects and our loan terms with Colfax businesspeople.”

The façade improvement grants are available to eligible business owners and property owners located on Colfax Ave., between Colorado Blvd. and Yosemite St., and between Federal and Sheridan Blvds.

To apply: please refer to facade program description and application

Question: Dan Shah 303-623-3232 or dshah@westcolfaxbid.org.

Interested in a mural that promotes your business? dshah@westcolfaxbid.org.

August 24th Library Groundbreaking

In addition, earlier this month Del Norte NDC, with support from the BID, secured $12.5 million in tax-credit financing for their 80-unit mixed-use TOD.  Del Norte’s timing couldn’t have been better, and the Avondale Apartments and library are now ramping up construction.   Both projects at Mile High Vista will be complete within a few months of the opening of light rail next April.

On the West End of the corridor on September 18th, a new cop shop opened in the recently built West End Flats at 5094 W Colfax.  The BID facilitated a Colfax location for the cop shop in order to bring additional police presence to West Colfax.   The cop shop, which will be run by community volunteers, is also where businesses and residents can access a graffiti paint bank.

There is still one retail bay available at West End Lofts.   Contact dshah@westcolfaxbid.org for more information.

Here are some resources that show you how to get going and take advantage of Foursquare as a free marketing tool:

1.  Using foursquare to attract customers.

2. Adding/claiming your biz to foursquare.

Need support?  Contact the BID for more information:  dshah@westcolfaxbid.org.