DOWNTOWN DURANGO, Colo. – In a joint effort to prepare Durango’s Historic Downtown for the up-coming summer tourism season and put the town’s “best face forward,” the community is banding together over three days, May 21-23 for three “Spring Spruce Up” events.

On Wed., May 21, Durango will begin to “bloom,” as the City of Durango will roll out the 101 green metal flower barrels that complement the historic features in the Downtown. Intended to help beautify the town, each barrel was sponsored originally by an individual or business, and each spring are positioned by City crews throughout the Central Business District. The flowers are compliments of the City’s Parks and Rec Dept.

“The snow has melted from the top of Smelter Mountain, so we can move our plants outside,” said Bob Kunkel, the City’s Downtown business and promotions specialist, of the local indicator that Spring has indeed arrived. “The Downtown will be bloomin’ for Memorial Day.”

Thurs., May 22, the Downtown office is coordinating installation of an original collage/mural on the wooden façade covering the construction area in the 700 block of Main Ave. Twelve local artists, brought together by the Durango Arts Center, have volunteered their time and talents to paint the summer streetscape/collage, with all materials – including 40 4’x4’ panels – donated by the Durango Business District (BID).

“The fire of Feb. 22 in the 700 block scarred the Downtown, but the reconstruction has begun and we want to celebrate,” said Jasper Welsh, BID coordinator. “The collage is being painted to include ‘peep holes’ through the wood so pedestrians can watch the Phoenix rise from the literal ashes.”

City crews will begin moving the painted panels and mounting them at 2 p.m. on May 22, and a special mural installation ceremony will be held at 4 p.m., with the artists and city officials in attendance.

The 5^th annual “clean day,” or newly christened “Downtown Clean Around” is set for Fri., May 23, with dozens of local citizens scheduled to literally polish the Downtown. The Clean Around is sponsored by the Durango Chamber of Commerce, City of Durango and the BID, and volunteers will meet in the parking lot of the Strater Hotel at 8:45 a.m. for their “assignments,” to enjoy complimentary coffee and doughnuts, and then “get ‘er done.”

“This is a great day to work as a team, show your support for Downtown Durango and just have some ‘Friday” fun,” said Jack Llewellyn, chamber director, noting that the first 100 to sign-in will receive complimentary work gloves, courtesy of the Durango Chamber. Also, official “Annual Downtown Clean Around” t-shirts have been donated by the City’s downtown office. Volunteers are asked to sign-up by calling 247.0312.

“We had a rough winter, but Downtown is never ‘down,’” said Kunkel of the spirit behind the trio of events. “This community makes certain of that.”

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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