Tracy Winchester Appointed as Executive Director of the Five Points Business District

The Board of Directors for the Five Points Business District (FPBD) has named Ms. Tracy Jenkins Winchester as the new Executive Director of the FPBD. Ms. Winchester replaces Wil Alston who stepped down from the Executive Director position after Mayor Michael B. Hancock appointed him as the Director of Communications for the City & County of Denver. The business development office has been led on an interim basis by Dante James, a local attorney who was formerly the Executive Director of the Center for Progressive Leadership.

Ms. Winchester joins the FPBD after serving as the President & CEO of CoLours TV, where she has worked since its inception. She is a twenty-six year cable television veteran, who has held several executive and management positions in programming and marketing at the corporate headquarters of Jones Intercable, Inc. (acquired by Comcast Cable) and the regional office for Fox Family Channel (acquired by ABC Family Channel) prior to becoming Vice President/General Manager and then President/CEO of CoLours TV. Ms. Winchester built the channel from a regional audience of 250,000 in the year 2000, to 17 million households nationwide.

Early in her career, Ms. Winchester also worked in Washington, D.C. with Members of the United States House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate as a Press & Legislative Assistant. Over the course of her career, she has served on several boards of directors including the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Denver Urban Renewal Authority (DURA) and the Colorado Convention Center. Ms. Winchester has received national recognition for her leadership from numerous organizations including the National Association of Women in Cable & Telecommunications, Cable TV Public Affairs Association, CTAM, and the Walter Kaitz Foundation. In 2009, Ms. Winchester received the Colorado Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award and her cable career was included in the national Cable Center’s Hauser Oral and Video History Collection. Ms. Winchester holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Georgetown University Law Center and earned a Bachelor’s degree with honors from Boston College.

“As a former executive in the cable industry who built a multi-cultural network from the ground up, Tracy has the skills to take the Five Points Business District to the next level,” says Alison Wadle the Board Chair for the FPBD. “She understands the mechanics of start-up organizations and knows what it takes to make them grow.” Councilman Albus Brooks from District 8 was also impressed by Ms. Winchester, “The hiring process for the role was very competitive, but the board and our stakeholders were all very impressed with Tracy’s vision and energy. It is clear that she is a natural collaborator. I look forward to working with her to continue the important work that we began with Wil Alston.”

Ms. Winchester will begin her new role the first week of December. “I’m thrilled to have been chosen as the new Executive Director of the FPBD! I look forward to working with the business owners, residents and board of directors for the FPBD to advance the revitalization of Welton St. in a way that honors the rich history and culture of the area while attracting neighborhood serving businesses. I am committed to promoting Five Points as a destination and polishing this jewel in our city.”

About the FPBD

Mission

To create a thriving community that is a hub for African American heritage and culture while identifying, recruiting and retaining businesses that serve the needs of a diverse community.

Vision

To be an international destination for African American culture & jazz in the American West that serves a diverse community and is a great place to live, work, shop, learn, and play.

For more information, contact Alison Wadle, Chair of the Five Points Business District Board of Directors:

Alison Wadle, 303.866.0504, alison.wadle@hro.com

From The Interim Executive Director

As we move into November, we can feel the holiday season beginning. Halloween, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and the New Year. Get in the spirit and come be a part of the events happening in and around Five Points. The Holiday at the Points event last year was a great success and it will once again be a part of the holiday season. Volunteers are needed so please let us know of your availability. Additionally, donations, no matter the amount, will be solicited for the events so please consider sharing your generosity with us as we plan for a great event. On the development side, things are moving forward with DURA and its study, with an expected completion by the end of the year. An Urban Renewal Area designation will allow for tax incentives for greater investment and development in the area. Finally, Don’t Forget to Vote!

Peace and Blessings

Dante

From The Executive Director

All,

In my short time as Interim Director, I am pleased to have spoken to so many community members who are interested and excited about the future of the office. I firmly believe that now is the time that redevelopment will happen. “The stars are aligned” and all of the governmental and community resources are moving into place. I realize that it often appears that redevelopment is moving forward about as much as running on a treadmill. However, It is the behind the scenes work of necessary partners such as RTD and Denver Urban Renewal Authority that is currently moving to the next phase. Additionally, with the change in Denver’s administration, we expect that there is a greater understanding of the economic impact the redevelopment can have on the city as a whole.

Also, a reminder that the next Five Points Community Meeting will be held this coming Saturday, October 1, at 9:00 in the lower level conference room of our office. I look forward to this continuing community engagement.

Finally, our thoughts go out to the family of the victim of last weeks Light Rail accident. Please be safe and aware.

Peace and Blessings

Dante

Denver Urban Renewal Authority – Blight Study

The Denver Urban Renewal Authority (DURA) has commissioned a “Blight Study” of the Welton Street corridor to be conducted by an independent consultant. Yes, it is not the best title for the study, but it is named by Colorado Statute. It is designed to provide information back to DURA so DURA can best define the area that will be included in an Urban Renewal plan for the area. This will then lead into possible tax benefits for developers and investors, and greater opportunities for more immediate development. There is nothing any business or owner has to do. The consultant will only be viewing the area from outside of businesses and not interviewing anyone. It is expected to start mid-October with a final report due by the end of the year.

New Artist in Residence – Artwork Display

The beautiful artwork of Denver Artist Randy McAnulty is being displayed in the FBDO offices for viewing and sale. Randy has exhibited his work years at festivals and galleries in the metro area. He uses acrylic, pencil, pastel (chalk) and charcoal to express his goal of “bringing a smile of color into this bleak environ we sometimes live in.” Please stop by and take a look. Also, be on the lookout for more information on an upcoming Friday afternoon open house at the FBDO displaying his work.

Urban Land Institute: Technical Assistance Panel Report Update

On August 24, 2011, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) convened a Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) to conduct stakeholder interviews regarding the Five Points and Welton Street Corridor re-development plan. The TAP consisted of six panelists from the Denver area who were experts on community planning, real estate acquisitions and leasing, marketing and economic development. A formal report is expected and has not yet been received.

“Wil has been a strong presence in the life of this new organization,” said Alison Wadle, a Partner at Holme Roberts & Owen LLP, currently serving as the board chair. “He has provided us and this community with great vision, relentless passion, and a steady hand. We feel extremely honored that we get to keep him involved in the organization as a member of our board of directors as he transitions to his new position.”

Alston brings more than 25 years of experience in communications, government and the private sector, and since 2009, he’s been the FPBD executive director where he’s been leading the effort to revitalize Five Points, one of the city’s prized cultural communities. Under Alston’s leadership, and in conjunction with the organization’s board of directors, Five Points has received unprecedented city, state, and federal funding and collaboration. Alston will continue supplying leadership to the revitalization planning and implementation by joining the organization’s board of directors.

“I am honored to become a member of Mayor-elect Hancock’s administration,” Alston said. “Denver is such a great city with an inspiring new leader, and Five Points is one of the great communities in this city. I’m excited to help Mayor-elect Hancock make Denver an even greater city and; at the same time, continue providing leadership to Five Points’ redevelopment efforts as a board member.”

The Five Points Business District, with primary funding from the Denver Office of Economic Development, has been charged with facilitating the revitalization of Five Points. Since opening in 2009, the organization has established itself as the lead redevelopment entity for the corridor, and just completed in January a vision and goals document that lays the framework for redevelopment. With funding from HUD, the organization is beginning the Phase II or implementation phase of their revitalization effort.

The Five Points Business District board of directors will immediately put into motion a national search to fill the position. The board is currently developing the timeline and approach for carrying out that search, and will communicate that information when confirmed later next week.

The Five Points Business District joined with several other community groups to present “Holiday In The Points,” a six-week series of holiday events and activities. The series of events began with a kick-off day that included wagon rides to area cultural assets, carolers, and an official lighting ceremony. The day ended with live jazz at Coffee @the Point.

Santa Claus made an appearance at Coffee @the Point to help kick off the Holiday In The Points series. More than 75 children and adults stopped in to take photos with Santa. Complimentary photos were provided to families to commemorate the visit.

Grace Stiles was joined by the Five Points community as she dedicated a new atrium to the Stiles African American Heritage Center. The new atrium will be used to expand educational programs and museum activities.

Read More at Denver Post YourHub →

The Five Points Board of Directors held the first of several upcoming networking events dedicated to raising friends and the overall profile of the FPBD Office. More than 60 community members were in attandance for the art auction and networking event.