Kimberlee McKee, Executive Director of the Longmont Downtown Development Authority (LDDA), recently addressed the Longmont Rotary to share the vibrant future of the city’s core. With a track record of sparking $500 million in investment and adding over 600 housing units, McKee highlighted Downtown Longmont as a critical connector between Denver and Northern Colorado.
Key Development Highlights:
- Hotel Longmont: Opening on or around June at 3rd and Kimbark Steet, this 84-room boutique hotel honors local history and will include a rooftop restaurant and ballroom.
- Local Square: The LDDA is transforming a vacant gas station into a "town square" featuring shipping container boutiques, an artist-in-residence program, and a performance stage.
- Transit & Education: Significant focus remains on the First and Main Transit Center, with active discussions regarding relocating a Front Range Community College campus to the downtown core.
Strategic Vision
McKee emphasized a "people-first, locally-driven" philosophy, noting that 80% of downtown businesses are locally owned. Using mobile data to track visitor trends, the DDA is enhancing "placemaking" through projects like "disco dumpsters" and improved wayfinding. As Longmont prepares for the Sundance Film Festival, the DDA is focused on ensuring the city’s unique "local vibe" remains its greatest economic asset.