Learn more about On Havana Street
About Us

What is On Havana Street?
The Havana Business Improvement District (BID) d.b.a. On Havana Street, is a special district (Colorado Revised Statues 31-25-1203) in Aurora/Arapahoe County Colorado created in 2007 by business and neighborhood leaders and Aurora city staff working together to build a stronger, better community.
We really are making a difference by focusing on unique, culturally diverse events and fun new things to do to make the lives of our residents and visitors more interesting. In addition to over 20 events a year, the Havana BID provides programming and benefits to business and commercial properties located along the Havana corridor including economic development, establishing a district identity for the area and advocacy programs.
In November 2007, the commercial property and business owners voted to tax themselves 4.5 mills in real property tax to fund the new business district. The margin of support was 80% yes to 20% no. The stakeholders are committed to promoting commerce and community On Havana Street.
There are 209 real commercial properties and approximately 500 businesses. A 9-member board, made up of all sizes and types of businesses from different sections of Havana Street, oversees district programming.
Gayle Jetchick was the only staff member responsible for the BID from 2007 until April 2018. As the founder of the Havana BID planned her succession plan, she began the transitioning process and hired Chance Horiuchi on April 2, 2018. As of January 1, 2019, Chance Horiuchi is the Executive Director of the Havana BID. Chance Horiuchi is responsible for day-to-day activities On Havana Street. Gayle Jetchick remained on board full-time until April 2019 and part-time until December 2019 to assist with the annual audit, special events/projects. She will be available to Chance to assist as a consultant and engage in special events/projects as needed.
Our Logos: The Havana BID has been branded as “On Havana Street.” Our sub-brands in the BID include the “Havana Motor Mile” for our many auto dealerships, repair shops and auto parts businesses, as well as “Art 2C on Havana” for our sculpture-on-the-street public art program.
Where is On Havana Street?
On Havana Street runs 4.3 miles along Havana from 6th Avenue on the north to Dartmouth Avenue on the south, swinging the corners at major intersections. It is situated at one corner of the “opportunity triangle” formed by three other major redevelopment projects in the area–Lowry, Stapleton and Fitzsimons/Anchutz Campus. See Havana BID Map
Who’s in Charge?
The Havana BID is governed by a 9-member Board of Directors, appointed by Aurora City Council:
- Garrett Walls, BID President, Western Centers, LLC/Havana Exchange Shopping Center, 2802 S Havana St
- Yulissa Williams, BID Vice President, Bank of the West, 1389 S Havana St
- Matt Rauzi, BID Director, Colorado’s Pro Gym, 1939 S Havana St
- Donovan Welsh, BID Director, Havana Auto Parts, 910 S Havana St
- Shannon Jones, BID Director, President, First Bank of Aurora, 2300 S Havana St
- Gary Sliger, BID Director, Gary’s Full Service Auto Repair, 30 S Havana St
- Brenda Soper, BID Director, AmCap, property manager for The Gardens on Havana St
- Devon Horan, BID Director, property manager for Havana Tower, 1450 S Havana St
- Finn Ruehrdanz, BID Director & Secretary, Indoor Facility Manager, Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club, 111 Havana St. Suite 120
- Chance Horiuchi, BID Executive Director
Click Here to reach about 2019’s accomplishments.
Click Here to read about 2018’s accomplishments.
Click Here to read about 2017’s accomplishments.
How are we financed?
In 2007, the real property owners in the BID voted to tax themselves 4.5 mills in real property tax to fund the Havana BID. Per our adopted 2020 Havana BID Operational Plan and Budget the revenue is applied to:
- Program Management: Payroll, Supplies, Equipment, Overhead, Audit & Accounting, Taxes, Insurance, Legal counsel
- Economic Development & Marketing: Special Events to bring customers into the district, Business Support & Attraction, Consumer Marketing TV, radio and print ads for events and the Havana Motor Mile, Ratepayer Communication, the Branding Campaign/website and support of the Business Watch Program
- District Identity: Gateway Sign repair and maintenance, Condominium Newsrack repair and maintenance, Art 2C On Havana public art program expenses, Banners & Decorations, Streetscape/landscape planning, improvement, design and/or engineering.
- State required 3% reserves
- Arapahoe County treasurers fee 1.5%
How do you get in touch with us?
On Havana Street Mailing Address:
1555 S Havana Street Suite F303 Aurora CO 80012
We do not have a physical office on the business improvement district corridor.
Chance Horiuchi, Executive Director
Cell 720-788-8986
[email protected]
Upcoming Board Meetings
The Board of Directors meets at 8:30 a.m. on the third Thursday of each month at Denny’s Restaurant, 1505 S Havana (SW corner of Florida & Havana), unless otherwise noted below.
2020 Havana Business Improvement District – On Havana Street Board Meeting Dates
2020 MEETINGS ARE AT 8:30 A.M., 3rd Thursday of each month via phone in due to no public gathering (Covid 19) until further notice. We will not be meeting in person at Denny’s during the government mandate.
HAVANA BID BOARD Call-in number: 303-536-7612 (no pin needed)
- Thursday, January 16, 2020
- Wednesday, February 19, 2020
- Thursday, March 26, 2020
- Thursday, April 16, 2020
- Thursday, May 21, 2020
- Thursday, June 18, 2020
- Thursday, July 16, 2020
- Thursday, August 20, 2020
- Thursday, September 17, 2020
- Thursday, October 15, 2020
- Thursday, November 19, 2020 – Annual Stakeholders’ Meeting at The Stampede
- Thursday, December 3, 2020 – Board Conference Call with Spencer Fane
Links to useful information for your business
Helpful Links to Area Attractions
Other Resources
Audits
Read the audits performed by auditor group Simmons & Wheeler
Demographics Reports
City of Aurora Places Comprehensive Plan and Survey
City of Aurora Havana North URA
View Available Properties
Helpful links for present and future business owners On Havana Street
- Water Construction Projects See page 4 for details on the Havana Street 30″ Water
Line Renewal Project & Westerly Creek/Canterbury Improvements Project (Canterbury Pond)
- Read the Fan Fare Market Study 2016 and Argenta Development Master Plan and more as of May 3, 2018
- View the Havana North/Fanfare Concept Plan, created by area neighbors, business owners and city officials to establish guidelines and high-quality standards for future redevelopment.
- Read about the TIF area established at Havana North/Fan Fare in Nov 2015
- View the Recommended Xeriscape Plant and Tree List for the Havana District
- View the Havana Street Landscape Overlay District Ordinance
- View the new City of Aurora Sign Code with the new rules for electronic message board (EMCs) starting on page 14 of the code
- Need help finding someone to do maintenance on your business, remove snow or chip & seal your parking lot? Check out our Service Vendors List
- View/print a set of business watch cards 2018 2018 Business Watch Card for your business.
- View Aurora’s new aggressive panhandling ordinance that takes effect 1/6/2016
- View the Colorado Municipal League’s graffiti & gang basic training document for the Denver Metro area.
Aurora Business Categories we Support