Plan Atlasby BDITS
← The 2026 Plan
Chapter 2

Economic Development

Central City is well-positioned to grow and diversify, actively facilitating desired change while acknowledging the need for an economic engine to attract and sustain a diverse economy.

Goal 1

Embrace and Strengthen Gaming Ventures

ED.1
ED.1A

Support Workforce Housing

  • Expand through infill, modular, adaptive reuse
  • Partner with gaming operators (HB21-1271)
  • Density bonuses/reduced parking minimums
ED.1B

Increase Visible Parking Near Downtown

  • Coordinated wayfinding for parking structures
  • Shared parking agreements
  • Structured parking in redevelopment areas
ED.1C

Enhance Multi-Modal Connectivity

  • Walkable spine to Black Hawk corridor
  • Pedestrian lighting/signage
  • Transit partnerships/shuttle systems
  • ADA accessibility
ED.1D

Activate Storefronts & Reduce Vacancies

  • Vacant Storefront Activation Program
  • Incentives for interim uses
  • Casino-sponsored façade improvements
ED.1E

Encourage Infill Gaming Development

  • Prioritize undeveloped parcels
  • Form-based/hybrid zoning
  • Partner with Black Hawk
  • TIF/gaming reinvestment zones
Goal 2

Diversify Tourism Through Outdoor Recreation

ED.2
ED.2-bike

Bicycling

  • Maryland Mountain Connector Trail
  • Downtown Bike Hub
  • Peak-to-Peak Road Cycling Race
  • Interpretive cycling routes
ED.2-atv

ATVs & Motor Sports

  • Gilpin Backcountry Loop
  • Formal ATV staging area
  • Annual ATV Festival
ED.2-winter

Winter Sports

  • Pop-up snowboard/sled park
  • Winter festival zone
  • Snowshoe/fat-bike loops
ED.2-heritage

Heritage Tourism

  • Interpretive trail loops
  • Heritage cycling/ATV events
  • Seasonal outdoor exhibits
ED.2-scenic

Scenic Tourism

  • Peak-to-Peak touring events
  • Scenic overlook network
  • State byway wayfinding
ED.2-impl

Implementation Framework

  • Short-term: Outdoor rec master plan, initial trails, pilot events
  • Mid-term: Staging areas, formalized routes, expanded trails
  • Long-term: Pewabic MTB Park, full regional connectivity
Goal 3

Cultivate Four-Season Arts & Culture Economy

ED.3
ED.3A

Leverage Opera Year-Round

  • Off-season concerts/workshops
  • Masterclasses/residencies
  • Cross-promotion with Belvidere
  • University partnerships
ED.3B

Establish Belvidere as Year-Round Anchor

  • All-season venue programming
  • Flexible layout utilization
  • NEA/CCI grant pursuit
ED.3C

Develop Artist-in-Residence Network

  • Convert vacant buildings to live/work
  • Creative District certification
  • Micro-grants for exhibitions
  • Rotating pop-up galleries
ED.3D

Expand Cultural Programming

  • Year-round arts calendar
  • Winter Lights Festival
  • Film & Music Series
  • Spring Makers Market
  • Fall Arts Weekend
ED.3E

Integrate Arts into Downtown

  • Arts-forward brand identity
  • Cultural wayfinding/public art
  • Gaming operator partnerships
  • Cultural tourism packages
Goal 4

Build Resident-Focused Non-Tourism Economy

ED.4
ED.4A

Expand Affordable & Workforce Housing

  • Housing as core economic development
  • Preservation incentive leverage
  • Mixed-income development
ED.4B

Grow Community Commercial

  • Recruit childcare, grocery, clinics
  • Mixed-use in walkable areas
  • Small business grants/pop-ups
ED.4C

Enhance Community Services

  • Utility/broadband/transit investment
  • Regional social service partnerships
  • Capital planning alignment
ED.4D

Support Local Businesses

  • Start-up support/coaching/micro-lending
  • Vacant space incubators
  • School/nonprofit/business collaboration
Engage
In a future update, residents will be able to comment on this plan section by section — sharing support, concerns, and ideas right where each goal and strategy lives. For now, the chapters are open for reading.