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JUNE 3
Community Meetings
May 22 – 23, 2019
La Junta Main Street
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Main Street La Junta Community Input Feedback for Main Street
On May 22 and May 23, La Junta Main Street held a series of meetings to ask for
community input. The focus of the input was on downtown La Junta:
What does the community want to see in the downtown?
What types of specific businesses would be great for La Junta?
How about events, facilities, amenities and activities?
Are there specific projects or area of focus for Main Street moving forward?
The conversation focused around the four pillars of Main Street:
Design, Organization, Promotion and Economic Vitality
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Results of the feedback The community members heard a short presentation about Main Street and then
started brainstorming around the four pillars. The organization pillar was not included
in the conversation as it was not pertinent. A long list of possibilities was considered
and discussed, and then each group chose the most important areas for Main Street to
focus time and attention. Some specific business ideas were also captured. The
complete list is appended to the end of this report.
Design Ideas
Public Art
Public bathroom
Splash Park
Game center (outdoor or building)
Promotion Ideas
Living History Art Walk Oral histories of residents and visitors Build and promote trails: bike, walking (need bike rental and bike racks) Multi-generational events (family/youth friendly) Professional musicians/concerts Outdoor directory Youth events/tours
Economic Vitality Ideas
Reduce empty storefronts – bring in new businesses Attract nighttime businesses (not bars) that would be open from 7:00 pm – 10:00
pm Grant/share program to assist new businesses with rent (example in Trinidad) Incentives and grants, respond to RFP’s Retail business incubator Gathering/community place for teens (indoor building, outdoor area)
Specific Business Ideas
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Hobby Lobby KFC Noodles Starbucks Local coffee shop Sephora Hallmark Penny’s Target Shoes Ice Cream (local) soda shop ColdStone Sporting goods Fire baked pizza Print shop/copy shop with business supplies Family Italian Comfort food Art galleries Jewelry store/jewelry repair store Distillery Brew house/kombucha brew house Children’s Place for celebrations (expand the bowling alley??) BBQ
Grandma’s restaurant (like a co-op) Community kitchen/restaurant Etsy type shop with homemade crafts and products Locally-owned bakery Bookstore Local butcher Tea shop Steakhouse Restaurant open later Olive Garden Food coop Boutiques (gifts, clothing) Kitchen stores Greek restaurant Fabric shop Chick-Fil-A Bingo Burger Dairy Queen Buffalo Wild Wings Lumber yard Arcade (indoor) Bike rental Uber Teenage hangout (under 18)
Next Steps With this information, La Junta Main Street will create a work plan listing specific
information, dates, and volunteers to begin addressing the most important priorities
identified by the community. Many of these issues will require partnerships, resources
not currently available, and often will need a longer period of time to complete. That
Work Plan will offer some additional detail.
Ongoing input and feedback are encouraged, and if you have any
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comments or thoughts please contact
Cynthia D. Nieb, Director
Economic Development & Urban Renewal, City of La Junta
CORE CENTER/207 ½ Colorado Avenue
La Junta, CO 81050
Office: 719.384.3601
Cell: 303.518.8261
Long List of Ideas These are the ideas that did not become priorities but were discussed during the
meetings.
Economic Vitality Ideas
Out of town building owners need to do something
Presbyterian Church
Old TIO’s building
Variety of businesses
More cultural events (music, arts, crafts, theater)
Residential/living units in downtown
Streets and sidewalks in good repair
Create an Opportunity Zone prospectus for rehabbing four buildings downtown. Need help to identify
owners and people that may have capital gains who could benefit from this program
More inviting downtown: flowerpots on poles, globe lights, paint
Pride in downtown
Retail that allows full time employees (both to employ and to shop)
River attraction feature
Commercial kitchen
Jobs
Dog Park
Space sharing
Businesses that are open on the weekend to capture Amtrak delays
More green space
More gathering space with shade or water feature
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Outside eating for restaurants
Community Garden
Somewhere to dance that isn’t a bar
Skating rink (roller and ice)
Outdoor gym (like Swink has)
Lake to fish
Bike ride vendor for tours
Uber/Lyft
Makers’ space
Design Ideas
Banners
Lamp posts advertise events
Colorful crosswalks
Diagonal crosswalk
Phone charge station
Bike racks
Bike lanes
Fix sidewalks
Parking outside of the downtown area
Code enforcement, especially with the vacant buildings
Window displays and art, especially in the vacant buildings
School kids’ art on display
In kind
Bodies downtown (youth especially)
WIFI
More color
Fresh paint on all buildings (except brick)
Wash the buildings
Accessibility
Benches
Murals
Sculptures
Night lighting
Trees (State Bank example)
Outdoor eating
Dress up the vacant lot at Colorado and 2nd
Kit Carson mural
Misting stations
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Awnings
Shade (green)
Floral arrangements/pots
Limited time parking/meters in downtown
Sound system
Open alcohol carry in downtown during events
More trash and recycle bins
Drinking fountains
Ways to get around: bike rentals, Segway, scooters, golf carts
Bike lane/paths
Walking paths
Utilize the river
Pet park and pet trails
Colorful flags
Highway 50 trees
Develop and landscape Train Hill
Trolley downtown
Promote events over City PA
Parking: off street, city lots, address employee parking—do not monopolize retail parking space
Updated City signs
Wayfinding signs
City Theme
Car Charging Stations
Fire Pit
Promotion Ideas
Tarantula promotion
Gold Panning in the Arkansas River
Tour service from the train
Promotional pamphlets in other areas
History reenactment downtown
Dino Tracks
Old building tours (for Halloween as example)
Ghost tours
Food truck day
Farmer’s Market downtown
Website and social media
Connection to tourism
Sand volleyball
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Treasure and scavenger hunts to promote local businesses
Outdoor weightlifting competition
OJC events brought into downtown
Outside calendar
Social media
Music at the Junction
Party at the Plaza
Taco Fest
Car Shows
Cook off (holiday, chili, soups, gingerbread, BBQ)
Out of town breakfast
Trick or Treat Street
Koshare’s downtown
Rafting
Holiday fest
Ticker Board (bigger event board, changing constantly_
National Art show (travelling)
Musical events
Dancing in the Streets
Promote Highway 50 and the Valley
LJ Historical Tours
Sporting tournaments
Club sports training
Halloween event tour
Annual events/seasonal events (Settlers Day)
OJC involvement
Sidewalk sales
Festival Friday’s
Weekly Events
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