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Council directs staff to begin Economic Improvement District process for Bend Central District
Summary
Council unanimously approved initiating an Economic Improvement District process for the Bend Central District, asking staff to pursue outreach and the remonstrance hearing steps with a proposed 10¢/sq ft assessment to fund marketing, events and beautification.
Leaders from the Bend Central District Business Association (BCDBA) presented a proposal to form an Economic Improvement District (EID) covering commercial square footage in the Bend Central District. Presenters described the EID as a modest, self-imposed commercial assessment (the package proposed a 10¢ per commercial square foot monthly assessment as a starting point) that would generate about $179,000 annually for the district to spend on branding, events, beautification and staffing.
BCDBA representatives said they had done outreach to property owners and modeled several assessment levels; they proposed starting at 10¢ and raising the rate quarterly to account for inflation and administration. Councilors praised the proposal’s focus on events and place-making and asked staff to refine the boundary, scope and outreach strategy before returning to council. Council voted unanimously to direct staff to initiate the formal EID formation process, including the remonstrance hearing and notifications to affected property owners.
Staff emphasized that additional approvals and public hearings will be required before any assessment is charged. The BCDBA said funds would initially focus on marketing and events to build momentum and could expand to maintenance or capital support in later years.
