Special Announcement: Downtown Development Authority Board Recruitment
Convocatoria para directiva de la autoridad de desarrollo del centro
To limit the size of our newsletters, our Spanish and English content will now be posted separately. If you prefer reading our newsletter in Spanish, click here.
Para una lectura más fácil, decidimos separar las versiones en inglés y español de nuestro boletín. Si prefiere leer nuestro boletín en español, por favor acceda a nuestro sitio de boletines.
Downtown Development Authority
Since FJNWA emerged as a response to growing development pressure, displacement, and a lack of ownership over the local food system, it is imperative for the organization to engage in the newly approved DDA (Downtown Development Authority), which could either exacerbate or address these issues. With FJNWA's model rooted in community voice, grassroots leadership, and equity-driven change, we invite everyone in our community to be informed and engaged in the process ahead with the DDA!
For more information on the Downtown Development Authority, check out our most recent Idea of the Month.
DDA Board Recruitment
We need applicants for the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board to represent our diverse community! It is up to us to ensure that community’s interests are represented ON the Board to make critical decisions on the following:
Set policies and governing structure for the DDA
Hold public meetings for the DDA
Plan and evaluate DDA progress
Supervise DDA staff
Keep the community informed on DDA developments
Oversee the finances of the DDA
7 Board members will be appointed through an election process. Applications are open Tuesday, January 20th through February 28th. Terms will be six months or one year. After that, terms are four years. The application can be accessed here.
Appointments
The Mayor (Mike Coffman), Mayor Pro-Tem (Allison Coombs) and Deputy City Manager (Laura Perry) will make final decisions on the Board appointments. The Aurora City Council has committed to making the process transparent and will include community input on who should be chosen on the Board. The process is as follows:
Translation services and ADA accommodations are available throughout the application process. Please email [email protected].
Once applications close, applicant interviews will be conducted:
Interviews will be open to the public to observe, and
Letters of support for applicants, comments, or questions can be submitted to [email protected]
Following interviews, the mayor will bring six nominations forward to the City Council; additionally, the City Council will appoint one council member.
City Council will conduct a public confirmation hearing of the nominees
Once board members are confirmed, the DDA board will begin meeting. DDA meetings are open to the public.
Eligibility
You are eligible to serve on the board if you are at least 18 years old and at least one of the following applies:
You live in the district.
You own property in the district (as an individual or via an entity like an LLC).
You own a business (for-profit or non-profit) that leases property in the district.
You are an employee, manager, or agent of a business in the district. In your application, you must include a signed letter from the business appointing you as its representative.
Aurora DDA boundaries, between 14th - 16th Ave & Yosemite - Oswego St
The DDA will expand later on, including 2 additional board members that overlap with the Community Development Corporation (CDC), an umbrella non-profit that will be formed and can operate beyond the smaller DDA boundaries.
You do not need to speak fluent English or have experience with DDAs for eligibility, all Board members will receive orientation and training.
Tentative Timeline
Application for DDA Board: Open Jan. 20th-Feb.28th
DDA Interviews: March-April
DDA Public Confirmation Hearing: April
First DDA Board Meeting late April-May
For more information, see the City’s website.
We need people power on the DDA Board, representing all facets of our community. We will keep you informed as application and process information are posted. If you are interested in applying but have questions, feel free to reach out to the FJNWA team!