Downtown Colorado Springs is getting an infusion of support from Mayor Steve Bach as he steps up an initiative to  revitalize the city core.

At his monthly press conference Thursday, Bach said the city will work more closely with downtown’s major stakeholders to boost the number of retail establishments, jobs and housing in the area.

“We agreed this morning that we are going to meet regularly; to start, we’re going to meet once a month and determine what our agenda should be and drive toward solutions,” Bach said to a gathering that included representatives from the Downtown Partnership, Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance, Convention and Visitors Bureau and Urban Renewal Authority.

He said top priorities include reconstruction of the Interstate 25-Cimarron Street interchange and beefing up security downtown. Already, he said, the city is making strides in the latter area with the addition of cameras that have resulted in drug busts and implementation of a law that bans panhandling within 20 feet of any business or residential entrance. He also noted that the Police Department is training more officers and plans to put more “boots on the ground” downtown.

“We have to make downtown safe and make people comfortable to be downtown,” he said.

Bach also said the city has been talking to developers about bringing in new retail operations and residences, and hopes to make an announcement about new downtown housing this summer.

“We need housing downtown,” he said. “I hope it will be affordable so that more people can live downtown.”

Susan Edmondson, the new CEO of the Downtown Partnership, welcomed Bach’s initiative.

“I think we’ll be bringing together the key downtown leaders with the city’s leadership to remove roadblocks,” she said. “We have to find ways to make projects a reality.”

Bach reiterated that part of his 2013 strategic plan for the city includes a push to revitalize three “economic opportunity” zones, including downtown. The others are the Nevada Avenue-UCCS corridor and the area around South Academy Boulevard. He said he realizes other areas of the city could use a boost as well, but he doesn’t want to bite off too much at once.

“It doesn’t mean to say that’s the only place we’re focusing,” Bach said. “But when we have a strong downtown, that radiates out, and it creates a bond, and it builds community, and it attracts visitors who spend money and have a great time. So we are committed to a true renaissance downtown.”