31 Comments
Oct 14, 2023Liked by Karen Norback

Not 2028 , 2038!

Expand full comment

Never knew that Lafayette was going to assist Erle in paying off their debt. What a sweet deal for Erle! I'm not fan of public-private partnerships. Usually the public (tax payer) gets screwed!

Expand full comment
author

That was part of the deal or they wouldn't share the profits with us. I have details about it in a previous post. I found out the details from that joint meeting our council had with the Erie Board of Trustees.

Expand full comment

I just hope it's not another mega church! :-D

Expand full comment
author

LOL!

Expand full comment

Will you do a post about an update for the new KS? Curious about the grand opening date and have heard nothing on mainstream media!

Expand full comment
author

Good timing Nathan. I am gathering info to do a report on a variety of business/development topics!

Expand full comment

There are few choices available these days to fill the many available spots in Lafayette....restaurant, apparel store, home decor, furniture, maybe a few more that aren't already taken by or will compete with our existing places. For that location (and the fact that Krogers won't accept a competitor) it seems that we need something attractive and creative. I've heard good things about Bouncy House. Living Spaces (the previous SEARS next to Thornton Costco) have done a great job all around with its redo and reasonably priced furniture. Possibly a MEOW WOLF? We need to steal/borrow ideas from things that have worked elsewhere for our small city.....especially on this important corner and "entrance".

Expand full comment
author

How about a place where start up businesses can take their first step and see if they can grow. Since the city does economic development deals with major corporations to get them to come to town why not have a fund that is earmarked to give new mom and pop businesses a start and see if they can be successful. In the past I have advocated for something like that on Public Rd.

Expand full comment

seems like a nice idea....get a good architect/designer for the outside appearance (and inside, but i'm concerned about this location's appearance).

Expand full comment
author

I have heard a couple of people suggest something like Pike Place Market in Seattle. https://www.pikeplacemarket.org

Expand full comment

arvada's edgewater public market is kinda nice and fun.....a fairly large food court with a bunch of picnic type tables in the middle. peeps occupy the tables playing games. variety of types of foods - some vendors have food trucks and this is another place to sell their wares.

Expand full comment

So we won’t start getting sales tax revenue from Nine Mile until 2028?

Expand full comment
author

2038!!!!!

Expand full comment
author

We will get sales tax from King Soopers right away. It's Lowes etc. that we will have to wait to benefit from.

Expand full comment

Wow! Not the great deal it was touted to be after all.

Expand full comment
author

I heard that briefly mentioned during one of the recent budget discussions and thought I must have heard it wrong. I asked Brigid yesterday before I included that nugget.

Expand full comment

I wonder what Lafayette’s share (percentage) is for assisting Erle in paying off their debt?

Expand full comment
author

I take back what I wrote in my previous response. I didn't include all the details of the debt. I have them though. I will track them down over the weekend.

Expand full comment

Great that revenue will be shared with Erie.

Vacating the current KS leaves a huge void & impacts the remaining small businesses. Hopefully Kroger will find a solution quickly so that the building doesn’t sit vacant for years.

Expand full comment
author

Agree about finding a solution quickly, I hope the city puts the pressure on to do that.

Expand full comment

What are some examples of public-private partnership opportunities?

Expand full comment
author

I have an answer from Brigid!

"Public-Private Partnerships is a broad term used for an agreement with a government entity and a private sector firm to achieve a common purpose so there are many examples. The Urban Land Institute has a great resource called Successful Public/Private Partnerships" https://uli.org/wp-content/uploads/ULI-Documents/Successful-Public-Private-Partnerships.pdf

Expand full comment

Let me know if the city ever puts together a focus group for this. I want to be a part of it!

Expand full comment
author

Oh I like that idea!

Expand full comment
author

That's a great question. I am thinking that the Copperstone Apartments near the hospital could possibly be one. But I can follow up with Brigid. Well before I do that, I am thinking as I type (always dangerous!) Nine Mile Corner seems like it would be one. Erie stepped in to assist the developer, Evergreen, hence the large debt.

Expand full comment

I had hoped we could get some sort of youth-oriented business in, like an indoor skating rink, laser tag, etc.

Expand full comment

it may be necessary to combine several or more fun things like the two you mentioned.....also, perhaps skateboarding, a challenging balance trail that peeps could try, etc. ........keep these thoughts going.

Expand full comment
author

I will pass on the suggestions to Brigid!

Expand full comment
Oct 16, 2023Liked by Karen Norback

Yes, absolutely. This past summer I went to my hometown bowling alley, and wow, had it changed. Besides the bowling alley and arcade, it now has laser tag, axe throwing, escape rooms, and bumper cars. So yes, a place with multiple options would be great. Maybe throw in some karaoke rooms and a pool hall?

Expand full comment

I "can see" a merging of the edgewater public market idea with various venues surrounding a food court/common area.

Expand full comment