Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development Downtown topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Downtown business leaders urge Durham to keep BID assessment at 7¢, warn cuts would limit programs
Summary
Downtown Durham Incorporated and several downtown business owners told the council March 20 that the downtown business improvement district (BID) should remain at its current 7¢ per $100 rate to preserve programming, safety work and marketing for downtown businesses.
Representatives of Downtown Durham Incorporated (DDI) and downtown business owners urged the Durham City Council on March 20 to retain the current downtown business improvement district assessment of 7¢ per $100 of assessed value, saying a cut would reduce services aimed at safety, activation and attracting businesses.
Nicole Thompson, DDI’s executive director, said DDI has overseen the BID since 2012 and that revenue collected in the district must be spent inside the district. “Bid revenue allows that to happen with the requirement that revenue collected in the bid must be used within it,” Thompson told the council. She said downtown faces daytime declines in foot traffic, safety concerns and competition from other communities.
Several downtown business owners spoke in support. Sean Umstead, who operates hospitality businesses downtown and serves on the DDI board, said the BID is paid exclusively by downtown businesses and argued the city should not reduce the assessment at a moment the downtown needs investment.
“We’re at an inflection point,” Umstead said. “It is a requirement that we invest in downtown, for the benefit of all citizens of Durham.” Justin Sacco — through a colleague who read his letter to the council — said the BID helped DDI craft the Downtown Durham Blueprint and that a sustained rate would fund efforts to increase daytime visitors and diversify ground‑floor retail.
Former state senator Mike Woodard, speaking as a downtown stakeholder, said he was on the council when the BID was designed and supported keeping the rate. “I believe DDI has been a great steward of the bid funds,” he told the council.
Speakers asked the council to weigh the BID’s role in keeping downtown “authentic” and economically viable. The council received the comments during a pulled‑item discussion of budget guidelines; the work session did not include a council vote to change the BID rate.
Council members thanked the speakers and noted the city’s broader budget process. No formal motion to change the BID rate was made at the March 20 work session.
