Downtown Arlington group launches petition drive to renew business improvement district

Downtown Arlington’s business district is launching a formal petition drive to reauthorize its Business Improvement District after the current assessment term sunsets this summer.

Maggie Campbell, president and CEO of the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation, told the City Council in an afternoon work session that the renewal will be decided by property owners rather than the general electorate. “It’s not a vote of the general public. It’s a vote of the property owners. That’s what the state statute requires,” Campbell said.

The petition drive opened as the BID’s 10-year term approaches expiration. Campbell said the proposed renewal would keep the existing boundary, keep the same assessment methodology tied to appraised values from the Tarrant Appraisal District, and extend the district for a new 10-year term with a modest increase in revenue. The district’s proposed work plan includes maintenance and beautification (sidewalk and litter patrols, trash can servicing, graffiti abatement and supplemental cleaning), security coordination and expanded ambassador hours, marketing and promotion, economic and community development, storefront improvement grants and a public art program. The proposal also adds a business-continuity reserve set at 2 percent annually.

Campbell highlighted measurable results tied to the BID’s prior terms: a longer-running Clean & Safe ambassador program run by Block by Block, capital investments by property owners and nearly $500,000 raised in corporate sponsorships to supplement assessments. She said the organization has distributed grants to local event operators and secured outside funding—including from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation—to support public art and studies.

Under Texas law the petition must pass a two-part test: a majority of property owners (by count) or a majority by assessed value. Campbell said the organization is targeting April 15 to collect the required signatures so the city can complete public hearings and reauthorize the district in June without interruption to services. She characterized the assessment as a voluntary, owner-approved self-assessment to fund supplemental downtown services, not a city tax.

Councilmembers thanked Campbell and several asked operational questions. Councilmember Gonzales confirmed the U.S. Postal Service property lies within the BID boundary but does not pay an assessment because it does not pay property tax. Councilmember Pham asked who votes on the petition; Campbell reiterated property owners, not business tenants, cast the binding votes, and said the BID counts roughly 460 parcels representing just under 300 owners within the boundary.

Campbell said the BID will notify property owners of the five-year forecast of revenues and the required management and assessment details, and that petitions and outreach material will be distributed to absentee owners. The BID’s campaign will also include outreach to property owners who may be unaware of the association’s work.

If petition thresholds are met and the council completes the required hearings and ordinance adoption, the assessment would be included on tax bills through the appraisal district and tax collector processes. Campbell said the BID plans to finalize the 5-year forecast and return to council in September for annual budget approval.

The council thanked the BID representatives and wished them luck in meeting the April signature target.

Ending: The renewal effort is ongoing; property owners will decide whether to reauthorize the BID under the state’s assessment rules. The organization plans public outreach, petitions by April 15 and a June council action to avoid service interruption.