Harlingen downtown improvement district reviews five‑year renewal, funding and board compliance

At a joint workshop in Harlingen, staff reviewed the Downtown Improvement District’s (DID) five‑year service plan, recent grant activity and capital projects while discussing whether to renew the district or move downtown improvement responsibilities to the Economic Development Corporation (EDC).

Alexis, Downtown Improvement District director, told attendees that “a public improvement district is a designated premium where property owners agree to pay an additional assessment to fund enhanced public improvements or services that directly benefit property within the district.” She said the district’s current assessment rate is $0.15 per $100 in valuation with a maximum annual assessment cap of $5,000 per property and that the district’s current annual assessment revenue is $40,000.

The director presented accomplishments from the prior five‑year service plan, including façade and signage grants, public‑facing events and maintenance. Staff reported 23 signage grants totaling $26,655.81 and 26 façade grants totaling $67,021.25 during the 2020–2023 service plan period. The district also highlighted cultural projects: the Baxter Building (constructed 1927) has been renovated into 24…