NEDERLAND — The group tasked with guiding the future and success of Nederland’s downtown is once again fully staffed after the Board of Trustees appointed two new members at its February 17 meeting.

There have been three vacancies on the seven-member Nederland Downtown Development Authority (NDDA) since July 2025. In December, Trustees appointed member property owner, Ron Mitchell, leaving two open seats.

An application period reopened January 22, resulting in two candidates. Meg Fox and Richard Brandon were both appointed unanimously to the NDDA on Tuesday night. Their terms start immediately.

New faces

Fox and Brandon were both present Tuesday and, at the invitation of Mayor Billy Giblin, gave brief comments to Trustees before the vote.

“The NDDA has a need of somebody to speak for public art and to help with future public art projects, and I’m happy to be that person,” Fox said. On her application, Fox wrote that she helped run Nederdays of Art in 2025 and “regularly [helps] with the Nederland farmers market.” 

Brandon, the co-owner of Peak to Peak Counseling, said he was “looking forward to stepping out of the role of just a business director and adding what I can to the town.” 

Fox will serve on the DDA until June 2028; Brandon will serve through June 2027.

Trustees hope a full board will allow for fewer canceled meetings and a faster pace of work. 

"I know we’ve had some issues with meeting quorum lately,” said Trustee Kristopher Larsen, who serves as liaison to the NDDA. “Having two new members is really going to help.”

Formed in 2005, NDDA meets monthly. The past two meetings have been canceled because a majority of members were not available. 

Demo project on tap

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, though DDA executive director Kate Masingale wrote to Trustees that a special meeting may be called to discuss the First Street demonstration project.

The project would close down First Street from Bridge to Snyder to vehicle traffic this summer, demonstrating how a flexible street might work in the future. 

A pedestrian-only street could be limited to special events, festivals or the weekly farmers market—with room for tents, vendors and a stage—or could remain shut to cars for an entire season, allowing for outdoor dining. In the latter case, limited vehicle access could still allow for deliveries and other “business needs,” Town staff wrote in notes to Trustees.

A full First Street redesign could also include wider sidewalks to accommodate “outdoor dining and small plazas.”

“People agree that First Street is the heart of downtown,” Town staff wrote. “There is a desire to make First Street more attractive and accessible and designed so that the uses of the buildings can spill into the street and the street can function as a place to hold events in downtown.”

The demo project is expected to cost $14,875, primarily in consultation fees. A concept plan is being drawn up now, with an expected completion date in April. An initial draft will be shared with First Street business owners to incorporate their feedback. Representatives from the Town and farmer’s market, along with the concert series vendor, will be consulted as well.