Gayle Jetchick, Executive Director, Havana BID
It’s an honor for me and Michael to be in this esteemed company, just as it’s an honor to represent all the people who work so hard every day to help Aurora continue to move forward.
Aurora, Colorado (PRWEB) February 14, 2014
In its February, 2014, issue, Aurora Magazine selected two Havana Business Improvement District (BID) Board Members among seven total people who, the magazine calls, “Seven plucky people you may not know that have a huge impact on everyone’s life in Aurora—including yours.” Havana BID Executive Director Gayle Jetchick and Board Secretary Michael Sheldon are two of the seven.
The magazine article recalls the area’s challenges still present a few years ago—a dead shopping mall, a “rotting” Fan Fare site and a retail exodus—and cites Jetchick’s results in revitalizing shopping in Aurora.
“Dozens of new businesses have moved to the bustling [Havana] neighborhood in recent years,” writes reporter Brandon Johansson, “and the existing retail locations are 95 percent full.” Aurora Magazine also cites some of the BID’s unique achievements, including becoming, “a mecca of ethnic dining;” the replacement of the old Buckingham Square Mall with the, “booming Gardens on Havana shopping district;” and the fact that auto dealerships on Havana Street boast more sales than anywhere else in Colorado.
Under the On Havana Street brand, the BID has changed purchase patterns and increased Aurora, Colorado, retail revenues through event marketing. The magazine specifically mentions the annual Cruzin’ Havana car show that Jetchick estimates draws over 20,000 people from seven states. The District’s upcoming events calendar includes an Ides of March Toga Party & Artist Talk March 15, 2014, at Havana Auto Parts, which is an extension of the nationally recognized Art 2C On Havana program, and an extremely popular annual Earth Day Electronic Recycling and Document Shredding event April 19 at The Stampede.
Sheldon’s role in creating the Anschutz Medical Campus from what was the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center is highlighted, though the magazine also correctly states, “For almost 30 years, Sheldon has been a central figure in seemingly every major development in [Aurora].” Sheldon is a land-use attorney by trade, specializing in large-scale development. His credits include Tallyn’s Reach, Murphy Creek and “transportation-oriented developments” along I-225.
Also recognized in the magazine were State Senator Morgan Carroll, Aurora Public Schools Superintendent Rico Munn, Mayor Steve Hogan, RTD board member Tom Tobiassen and Aurora Cultural Arts District’s Tracy Weil.
“It’s an honor for me and Michael to be in this esteemed company,” said Jetchick, “just as it’s an honor to represent all the people who work so hard every day to help Aurora continue to move forward.”
About Havana Business Improvement District
The Havana Business Improvement District (BID) dba On Havana Street is a special district in Colorado created in 2007 by business and neighborhood leaders and Aurora city staff working together to build a stronger, better community. The District makes a difference by focusing on unique, culturally diverse events and fun new things to do and working to keep the area clean, safe and beautiful. For more information please contact Gayle Jetchick, Executive Director info (at) OnHavanaStreet (dot) com, (303) 360-7505.
