Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Economy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Arlington council approves petition to pursue Downtown Business Improvement District
Summary
The Arlington City Council voted to advance the creation of a downtown business improvement district after staff said petitioners representing a majority of the area’s acreage and assessed value requested services estimated at about $671,816 per year.
The Arlington City Council voted June 10 to accept a petition and move forward with creation of a proposed Downtown Public Improvement District (PID).
Gus Garcia, director of economic development, told the council the petition was signed by owners representing 52% of the acreage, 62% of the appraised taxable value and 55% of the owners within the area proposed for the PID. "The estimated average annual cost of the improvements and services provided by the PID is approximately $671,816," Garcia said.
The petition asks the city to establish a PID to fund maintenance, beautification, security, marketing, communications and economic development activities within downtown. Garcia said the petitioners identified the services as intended to support downtown property owners and businesses.
Councilmember Boxall moved to approve the resolution to proceed with the PID process; Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The council voted to adopt the resolution.
A PID creates a special assessment area and requires additional procedural steps — including formal notices and hearings — before any levy is imposed. City staff did not present a final assessment rate on June 10; Garcia said the $671,816 figure was the estimated average annual cost of the services the PID would provide.
The council did not take a final taxing or assessment action on June 10; instead it accepted the petition and moved the PID process forward per state law and city procedures. Additional public notice and hearings will be required before any PID assessments are adopted.
