Neighborhood Marketplace Initiative announces
Neighborhoods Selected for Launch of Program
Berkeley/Tennyson Street Corridor one of five selected
Councilman Garcia is pleased to announce the City’s new Neighborhood Marketplace Initiative has selected the Berkeley/Tennyson Corridor as a neighborhood to be a pilot participant in this program.
On Thursday, May 1, Councilman Garcia along with other members of Council and the Mayor celebrated at a kick off event announcing the five neighborhood pilots. Those selected include Morrison Road, Welton Street Corridor, The Bluebird District, Berkeley/Tennyson Street Corridor and Cherry Creek North. The pilots cover a wide array and geographically diverse neighborhood districts that showcase different applications of the DNMI Program. Criteria used for the selection included: defined geographic area; leverage; investment; prototype; opportunity; and neighborhood engagement. With the recent attention that’s been given to the Berkeley/Tennyson Street corridor including bond funds approved by the voters for a Tennyson Streetscape project and the potential formation of a Tennyson Street Maintenance Improvement District, this area was an ideal candidate for the program.
The goal is to develop strong public-private partnerships and build long lasting relationships that connect neighborhoods with businesses. Through the initiative, Office of Economic Development will annually select 2-5 districts for participation. District development plans will outline which resources-ranging from technical assistance to small business lending, streetscape improvements and many others—can be deployed to effect meaningful change in the district. Availability of resources will vary, depending on the district’s stage of development . Development plans will be reviewed annually.
The Councilman has been personally involved in bringing this concept to fruition because he feels that our neighborhood business districts have been underutilized assets of the city. He saw an opportunity to raise the bar in terms of how the city should work with small business, as vital parts of neighborhood development and the NMPI was born. Meanwhile, the OED will continue to provide services and resources to other district and commercial areas as well.