Breck eyes Main Street’s potential for residential

BRECKENRIDGE — Preliminary plans to regulate businesses on Main Street are on hold pending more investigation by Breckenridge’s economic development advisory commission (BEDAC).

Instead of proposing a cap to the council, the citizen group appointed by the Breckenridge Town Council decided Feb. 8 to also study a growing demand for Main Street residential space, said town manager Tim Gagen.

In particular, BEDAC wants more information about development at the north end of Main, where there are a few vacant lots, Gagen said. Completion of the BreckConnect Gondola could drive a shift in development patterns, he added.
Presently, about 20 percent of the available commercial ground-floor space is occupied by professional offices, primarily real estate outlets. At issue for town council members, merchants and residents is the larger question of how to maintain commercial vitality in the downtown core, and whether local government has an appropriate regulatory role in this area.

Some disagree about this point, with some local Realtors voicing strong opinions against any regulation. Other stakeholders have said that maintaining a mix of business types along the main drag is crucial to ensuring the long-term success of Main Street.

The trend is particularly evident in a few spots, including the Lincoln West mall, home of Weber’s Books. The condominiumized mall was once filled completely with retailers, but in recent years various real estate companies, and time-share sales offices have filled more and more of the spaces.

Bob Berwyn can be reached at (970) 331-5996, or at bberwyn@summitdaily.com.