City Council has formally affirmed its support for Woodland Park to become an official Main Street community, the city’s final step in the process, officials said. At its meeting Dec. 18, council voted 5-0, with Councilman Steve Smith absent, in favor of a resolution authorizing the city to ent er into an agreement to become an official main street community. The unanimous vote affirmed the council’s and city management’s support of Woodland Park’s participation in the program and “the continued advancement of downtown revitalization efforts,” the resolution read. Colorado Main Street is a coordinating program run by the Department of Local Affairs. Participating communities receive aid and logistical support for community-led downtown revitalization. The council’s formal support is required as part of the city’s application, Budget Director Kimberly Burleson said. Woodland Park representatives made their case for Main Street participation in front of DOLA on Wednesday. “It went very well,” Burleson told the council. “… They had no concerns and there was a lot of support throughout the Zoom webinar that we did with DOLA yesterday, so that was very exciting.” The city expects to hear by mid-January if its application has officially been approved, she added. Members of the Main Street Board of Directors also briefly presented the group’s work plan on Thursday night. The three-year strategic plan, a roadmap for 2026-2029, focuses on enhancing the city’s vitality through three priorities, Board Member Tim Miller said. The program will connect businesses and entrepreneurs to resources that increase business development, retention and success; collaborate and partner with the Downtown Development Authority and area organizations to implement improvements that enhance aesthetics, walkability and the vibrancy of Woodland Park Main Street; and lead and support marketing efforts to attract people to the city and promote the Main Street District, Board President Andrea Connolly said. “We’re in a cheerleading role for the businesses and the organizations in town. That’s mainly what we’re focusing on, and also to help with the beautification of Woodland Park,” she said. The Main Street Program Board will advance these priorities in several ways. They include: providing business outreach, education workshops and application support for the DDA’s microgrant program; hosting collaborative workshops with local partners to attract, develop and retain businesses; collaborating with the Victor Cripple Creek Main Street program to promote projects and events that touch the Woodland Park Main Street District; leading marketing efforts for two signature annual events and supporting partner events that promote visitation to Main Street; developing a “walkaround” map that is easily accessible to visitors throughout the Main Street area and shows locations for shopping and dining; designing wayfinding for free parking areas in Woodland Park; and others. For more information about Woodland Park’s Main Street Program, visit woodlandpark.gov/525/Woodland-Park-Main-Street-Program. Council approves amendment to reservoir development agreement City Council also unanimously approved, on initial posting, an amendment to its development agreement with Pathway to the Rockies Council, Boy Scouts of America, regarding the development of the Glen Aspen Reservoir, which will serve as a water storage for the city. The council set a public hearing for the matter on Jan. 15. The city originally approved the agreement to develop the reservoir in January 2024, gaining the opportunity to acquire land owned by the Pathway to the Rockies Council, Boy Scouts of America, to build the reservoir. The amendment approved Thursday was necessary to avoid termination of the development agreement and to help resolve issues that have arisen over ownership or interest in the land. ...read more read less