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Arts nonprofit ASU 20 urges committee to endorse property-tax relief; committee approves resolution
Summary
ASU 20 representatives described pandemic-related and valuation-driven increases in property taxes that they say doubled their bills; the committee voted to approve a resolution supporting their request and to forward the matter for state consideration.
Representatives from ASU 20 told the Special Committee on State Legislative Affairs on May 4 that escalating property tax bills, pandemic impacts and inflation have created urgent financial strain and they asked the committee to endorse state action to provide relief for the organization’s three-buildings footprint.
Shawna Duffy, co-executive director of ASU 20, told the committee the organization operates roughly 100,000 square feet across three buildings, supports 35–40 staff and about 3,000 paid artists annually, hosts about 30,000 visitors a year, and has roughly a $25,000,000 investment in downtown facilities. Duffy said a combination of pandemic-related revenue loss, inflation and revaluation led to sharply higher property tax bills that are now untenable for the nonprofit.
Council members asked clarifying questions about scope. Councilor Peterson asked whether the organization’s request covered all of its properties; ASU 20 confirmed it sought relief for all three buildings, which are split into multiple tax lots. Committee members praised ASU 20’s community role and expressed support for the organization’s request.
On a motion by Councilor Drakes, seconded by Councilor Vargas, the committee approved the resolution endorsing state action related to property taxation as presented (ayes recorded). The committee’s approval records local support for the organization’s request; any change to tax liability would require action by state lawmakers and any implementing authority.
