Committee extends BID leases for Catalano Square and Erie Street Plaza, clarifies public-use terms

The Public Works Committee approved lease amendments renewing the Board of Business Improvement District (BID) No. 2's authority to operate and maintain Catalano Square and Erie Street Plaza under extended leases.

Mary Channing of the city attorney’s office told the committee the amendments extend two existing leases for former city park properties for 15 years, clarify permitted uses (including beer gardens and live music at Catalano Square) and require the BID to carry insurance naming the city as additional insured. Channing also said the city can terminate either lease with one year’s notice.

Channing noted the lease extensions were timed to align with a $2.5 million TID 56 grant recently approved for improvements to the parks; staff extended the leases so the BID could continue to operate and receive funds while the improvements are made.

Alderman Brown asked whether the leases include protections for public speech and petitioning on these sites. Channing said the BID is required to operate the spaces "as though they were public parks," and that Catalano Square contains city right-of-way as a pedestrian mall. She noted that she had personally collected signatures in Catalano Square and that protest activity had been allowed at prior events.

The committee approved both lease amendments by voice vote with no recorded objections. The approvals authorize city staff to execute the amendments and continue coordination with BID No. 2 on implementation and insurance requirements.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the Public Works Committee meeting on July 2, 2005.