A Bit About Urban Renewal
Urban Renewal Authorities (URAs) are created by municipalities to redevelop areas within their jurisdiction that are found to contain blight or slum conditions and require public participation to attract redevelopment. An urban renewal project is a public/private partnership. The majority of the funding comes from the private sector, public investment comes from tax increment financing (TIF), which is the increased amount of property tax or municipal sales tax revenue collected within the URA after the project begins. This new revenue is generated by the increased property values that result the project. URAs are voluntarily filing financial information and updates on project progress in standard annual reports developed by the Colorado Municipal League and Downtown Colorado Inc.
Who's Involved
The Urban Renewal Authority Board consists of City Council, and one representative appointed by the County Commissioners, one School Board member appointed by the District, and one representative selected by the agreement of the Special Districts levying a mill-levy in Walsenburg. Once these positions are filled an at large representative will be appointed so the Board consists of an uneven number of members. see CRS 31-25-104(2.5)
Facade Program
The Walsenburg Urban Renewal Authority (WURA) Façade Improvement Program is a competitive grant program meant to encourage property owners and tenants of buildings within the entire WURA Facade Improvement Program Area to make exterior improvements that will revitalize the area and attract customers to shop, dine and do business in Walsenburg. The Façade Improvement Grant Program Guidelines are meant to assist applicants with going through the process of applying for a Façade Program Grant and outlining what improvements will be considered.
To Apply for the Façade Program - CLICK HERE