DURANGO, Colo. - The committee established to oversee distribution of the “700 Main Avenue Disaster Relief Fund” determined on Friday (Feb. 29) the initial steps that will be taken to see to the immediate needs of those affected by the Feb. 22 fire in Downtown Durango.

Organized by Lon Erwin, executive director of the Community Foundation, in coordination with the Business Improvement District (BID) board of directors, the committee has made arrangements for emergency food, gasoline and electricity. The BID has partnered with the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, to ensure the integrity of the process and allow a tax deduction for donors.

City Market and Conoco gift cards will be issued Monday to those relief fund applicants who are verified employees of the three affected businesses, Seasons, Half-Price Tees and Le Rendezvous. La Plata Electric Association has also stepped up to apply credit to electricity accounts, and Sunnyside Farms Market has made a generous gift certificate donation, allowing victims to enjoy the store’s quality products.

The relief fund committee will reconvene on Wednesday, March 5 to further efforts, and review intermediate and long-term needs. In addition to the BID and Community Foundation, the committee includes representation from United Way, American Red Cross, City of Durango, La Plata Electric Round Up Foundation and the Colorado Restaurant Association.

Applications for assistance will continue to be accepted by the BID. The one-page application is posted on the BID web site, www.downtowndurango.org, and available at the BID office, 1199 Main Ave., Suite 210, Durango.

Donations to the fund can be made in person at First National Bank of Durango, or mailed to the Business Improvement District, PO Box 1405, Durango, CO, 81302. Checks should be made payable to “Community Foundation-700 Main Avenue Disaster Relief Fund.” As of early Friday, approximately $30,000 had been deposited to the account.

Numerous fund raising events have been or will be held in and around Downtown Durango. A comprehensive calendar is being maintained on the BID web site, www.downtowndurango.org. Event planners may also post information on their upcoming events.

The BID and City of Durango will host a street party on March 21, 3 to 5 p.m. in the 700 block of Main Ave. The street will be closed to vehicular traffic and festivities will include recognition of all those involved with the fire and recovery, plus refreshments and live music from Ralph Dinosaur.

Seven hundred bricks from the destroyed buildings will be preserved by the City and offered for sale, along with wine saved from Seasons’ cellar and special t-shirts produced by Eric and Kay Kiesel, owners of Half-Price Tees. The Kiesels are currently operating their custom embroidery and print business from a temporary location.

Both Termar Gallery and The Marketplace – retail operations on either side of the fire-destroyed buildings - are moving out inventory for cleaning and to repair any damage.

The Durango Business Improvement District was formed in 1997 with a goal and mission to support businesses within the District by assisting with special event marketing, providing research on topics of concern to the District (facilities, special events, best practices), planning and development of new facilities, and providing capital budget for equipment that enhances business in the District. Funding is generated by a 1.5 mill levy on property owners within the district, with additional marketing dollars contributed by the City of Durango and Durango Area Tourism Office. BID Board members are John Wells, presiding officer; Bob Allen, Karen Barger, Rod Barker and Tim Wheeler.

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