Laredo BID board discusses vacant-building rules, lighting and parking; ratifies assessment date and appoints outlet manager

The Laredo Business Improvement District (BID) board, meeting March 12, 2025, discussed changes to a proposed vacant-building ordinance, downtown lighting and parking improvements, sanitation and safety concerns, and voted to set the BID assessment effective date to March 12, 2025. The board also appointed Dan Davia, center manager for The Outlets, to fill a vacant seat through June.

The discussion focused on why the vacant-building ordinance generated pushback from property owners and how enforcement would be applied. "Before any fees or fines or any of that is imposed, I think we're gonna have a much more fulsome discussion with the public before we ever get to that sort of a stage," Larry Freeman, chair, said, summarizing comments the board has received from downtown property owners and developers. Freeman said he and others had met with city staff and elected officials and that the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) had recommended changes to the ordinance.

Why it matters: board members and downtown stakeholders said enforcement of a vacancy ordinance could unintentionally penalize owners who cannot lease space, and they urged the city to limit punitive measures while maintaining an accurate registry of downtown vacant properties. Board members also said downtown rents and market conditions make vacancy a…