NBA and NCAA: Elections, art, wine and tips

Current officers of the Niwot Business Association were re-elected at the February 13 NBA meeting, hosted by the Niwot Inn and Treppeda’s Italian Restaurant. In the only contested rate, incumbent vice-president Deborah Fowler was re-elected as vice-president over Jim Ditzel.

Tony Santelli will continue as president, Linda Klueber will return as secretary, and Dayna Roane was re-elected as treasurer. The NBA officers also serve as the board of directors. Santelli thanked Ditzel for his interest in serving the NBA and welcomed his continued involvement.

Roane reported that the NBA had committed virtually all of its $57,000 in existing funds to improvements planned to benefit the business district, including Whistle Stop Park and a planned parking lot. Biff Warren reported that Boulder County had asked the NBA to prepare an application for Special Use Review, to be submitted on behalf of the county and the NBA as co-applicants. Warren indicated that he planned to work with nearby residents on a development plan to minimize impact on the neighborhood before submitting the application.

Streetscapes chairman Chuck Klueber gave an update on the connectivity project at the corner of Niwot Road and 79th Street. Landscape work by Outdoor Craftsmen continues on the project, now known as Community Corner. An art committee of seven people has been formed, representing the NBA, the Local Improvement District (LID), Cottonwood Park HOA, the Niwot Future League, the Niwot Community Association and the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA), for the purpose of obtaining and selecting up to eight works of art for the site. Economic Development Director Catherine McHale is drafting guidelines for submissions by artists.

McHale also presented her plan to market Niwot to visitors, which focuses on getting visitors to connect with Niwot’s businesses, especially when events bring people into town.

Felicia Santelli encouraged NBA members to support improvements to the Little Fire House next to the Grange building. The goal of the project is to make the historic structure more visible to those who visit Niwot’s downtown area. The LID pledged $5,000 toward the effort and additional fundraising efforts continue.

Anne Postle of the NCAA reported on the upcoming Let’s Wine About Winter evert Feb. 24, noting that up to 400 participants were expected, based on early ticket sales. For $25, patrons can join the Let’s Wine About Winter Club, which allows them to visit local businesses for wine and food tasting, and also gets them a $10 gift certificate good at any participating business. Last year the event raised over $5,000 for local projects. The NCAA is also sponsoring live music for the event, including the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band, under the direction of NHS grad Quinn Kalinski.

Warren noted that the Rock & Rails organizing committee was preparing for the upcoming season, and introduced Kathy Trauner, who is taking over the sponsorship duties from Kathy Koehler, who is assisting in the transition. Warren also announced that Tip Jar Program applications will be accepted until March 1 from local non-profit organizations.

“We already have 13 applications, not counting the tip jar nights for Niwot Children’s Park, Whistle Stop Park, and volunteer appreciation,” he said. Last year the Tip Jar Program returned over $15,000 to local non-profit organizations.