Progress on Vision Recommendations

In September 2011, the Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority (LURA) adopted the 2011 Downtown Vision as a guide for public decisions related to development within the downtown commercial area. Since then, a number of recommendations within the plan have been accomplished and LURA has begun other work to further the goals of the Vision. The following list provides an overview of accomplishments since the plan's adoption:

• September 2015 — Downtown Colorado, Inc. (DCI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing Colorado's downtown districts, recognized the Lafayette Commons project with its Governor's Award for Downtown Excellence in the category of Best Adaptive Reuse or Rehabilitation, using the tool of a City Urban Renewal Authority.
• August 2015 — Purchased "Buck Gordon Flash Rodgers Time Machine Rocket Ship," a sculpture by James E. Descant, for permanent installation at Kimbark and Public Road.
• Approved a redevelopment agreement for the purposes of rehabilitating the buildings at 418-424 E. Simpson St. and constructing a new permanent outdoor patio area between 414-418 E. Simpson St.
• Approved a parking agreement in 2015 for 418-424 E. Simpson for the use of 6 parking stalls and worked with the City Engineering staff on the development of a new Parking Plan for Simpson Street and the surrounding area, which will result in an increase of 18 permanent street parking stalls downtown. In total, the number of additional public parking stalls made available through LURA's efforts is 114.
• May 2015 — Construction began on the Simpson Old Town project, a redevelopment of the former Sister Carmen Community Center site on East Simpson Street. The plans for the mixed-use development, located at the northwest corner of Simpson Street and Iowa Avenue, include the construction of three buildings, 18 townhomes and approximately 2,350 square feet of commercial space.
• January 2015 — In keeping with Old Town's "creative, diverse and eclectic" brand, LURA began showcasing digital murals on its gateway signage at Highway 287 and Baseline.
• December 2014 — Held a joint open house at 400 E. Simpson to showcase the redevelopment of the former Boulder County Services building. The building is now home to a number of boutique offices.
• October 2014 — LURA approved the site and architecture plans for the redevelopment of the former Sister Carmen Community Center site for a mixed-use project. City Council approved the Final Plan for the development on Feb. 17, 2015.
• September 2014 — Purchased "Nap Time," a sculpture by Ed Gauss, for permanent installation at Festival Plaza.
• August 2014 — Installation of an LED monument sign at the corner of U.S. Highway 287 and Baseline Road.
• July 2014 — Approval of an economic development agreement at 400 E. Simpson for the remodel of the former Boulder County Services Building for retail and office space and the approval of an economic development agreement with the James Building Partnership as part of a project at 300 S. Public Road for a roll-top garage-style door/bar and an outdoor patio enclosure.
• March 2014 — Two picnic tables with umbrellas were installed at Festival Plaza.
• February/March 2014 — Two new public parking lot agreements were approved by LURA, bringing the total number of public parking stalls to 73.
• January 2014 — LURA installed 6 bicycle racks on the northern end of Public Road.
• September 2013 — LURA completed a public parking project at 103 N. Public Road and also installed bicycle racks on Simpson Street.
• July 2013 — LURA approved an economic development agreement with The Post Brewing Company for the purposes of redeveloping 105 W. Emma Street into a brew pub/restaurant.
• June 2013 — A mural for Old Town Lafayette was painted at the corner of S. Public and S. Boulder Roads to act as a gateway sign for the downtown business area.
• May 2013 — LURA held a joint workshop with the Latino Advisory Board to brainstorm ideas about downtown sidewalk maintenance in the winter and creating additional cultural/shopping attractions downtown.
• Spring 2013 — LURA held several "Coffee with Urban Renewal" events to gather public input about downtown.
• March 2013 — LURA held a joint workshop with the Historic Preservation Board to brainstorm ideas for historic tourism, promoting Lafayette's history, and downtown development.
• February 2013 — LURA held a joint workshop with the Cultural Arts Commission and Public Art Committee to brainstorm ideas for more creative, diverse and eclectic elements into the downtown streetscape.
• January 22, 2013 — LURA reviewed a draft 5-year budget forecast.
• January 8, 2013 — LURA approved a lease agreement for public parking at 103 N. Public Road.
• January 8, 2013 — LURA selected Old Town identifier signage designs that will be located on U.S. Highway 287. The first of these signs is planned to be located at the southeast intersection of U.S. Highway 287 and Baseline Road and to incorporate an electronic message board component.
• Winter 2012-2013 — The new Old Town logo was added to the highway directional sign located on U.S. Highway 287 south
  of Public Drive.
• Spring/Summer 2012 — Crews repaired and replaced flagstone along the downtown business corridor sidewalk and added new sections of flagstone in key areas. Public Road got a new look in 2012 thanks to new landscaping, which included the addition of new trees and perennials, roughly 50 rock elements in various planter beds and drip irrigation. The cost of the landscaping project was approximately $33,000.
• June 2012 — Mayor Carolyn Cutler named seven new LURA commissioners to sit on the new resident board.
• May 15, 2012 — LURA selected Jennifer Davis' "Icons & Ironwork" logo as the new logo for the downtown corridor. Davis' design was selected from among 50 entries to a logo contest in which artists were asked to submit designs reflecting downtown's "creative, diverse, and eclectic" brand.
• April 2012 — City Council amended the city's mixed-use regulations, changing the ratio to allow a maximum 5% commercial, 95% residential.
• March 2012 — The Lafayette City Council amended the urban renewal plan to allow for a citizen LURA board and added multi-family residential as a stand-alone use with a special-use review in the Old Town Urban Renewal Area.