Council endorses ‘Better Cities’ legislation to create City Center District tools

The Common Council on Oct. 20 unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing the city’s legislative effort—branded "Better Cities"—to secure state authorization to create a City Center District and new tools intended to spur downtown redevelopment. Bruce Thompson presented the resolution and told the council the initiative already has endorsements from the county board, Business Improvement District, chamber of commerce, development association and the school district.

Thompson said drafts of enabling legislation are being prepared with assistance from state legislators and that a 26-page bill has been drafted for consideration. He said the bill would require state approval before the city could establish a City Center District, and any district formation would return to the council for local establishment and oversight. Councilors approved the resolution by voice vote.

The resolution signals local support for pursuing legislative authority to add redevelopment tools; specifics of those tools and any local implementation steps would be developed after state action. Proponents said the effort aims to help downtown compete for investment and to leverage recent streetscape reconstruction and private redevelopment interest.