Council supported exploration of DDA; GID staff outline parking, DDA and 2026 budget planning

City staff updated the commission on the district-analysis work and 2026 budget planning at the May 13 meeting.

Vijay and other staff said City Council supported the recommendations to explore a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and that staff are finalizing a scope of work and timeline to pursue certification and financial modeling with the goal of a potential November 2026 ballot measure. "The recommendations from PUMA, including the exploration for DDA, was supported by council," a staff presenter said.

Staff said the scope will include financial modeling, tax-increment financing projections, evaluation of effects on existing government structures (CAGED, GID, DDA interactions) and community engagement. The consultant scope will be developed to allow modeling ahead of a November 2026 election timetable.

Elliot, the budget lead, presented a draft timeline and financial summary for the GID. He said 2024 actuals produced a stronger-than-expected ending fund balance and that the GID anticipates an ending fund balance near $23,000,000. Elliot noted a 2026 draft that begins to draw on reserves and said staff will bring requests for one-time items (for example, ambassador funding) and capital program updates through the normal enhancement and council-review process.

Staff and commissioners discussed the district’s portfolio of assets, underused garages such as Trinity Garage, and tradeoffs involved in selling or redeveloping parking assets. Staff emphasized the need for consultant analysis to understand whether existing underutilized parking can absorb new development demand or whether new parking finance will be required.

Ending: Staff will finalize RFP scopes for DDA exploration and commercial areas blueprint work; the budget team will complete the June 2025 submission to Central Finance and return in July for a commission recommendation to council on the 2026 budget.