Bend council certifies remonstrances, halts Central District Economic Improvement District

BEND — The Bend City Council on Monday certified written objections from property owners representing roughly 59% of the commercial square footage inside the proposed Bend Central District Economic Improvement District (EID), a figure staff said exceeds the 33% remonstrance threshold under Oregon law and prevents the city from levying the proposed assessments.

"To date, the city has received over 60 written objections that equate to, again, roughly 59% of the ownership of commercial square footage within the proposed boundary," City business development manager Cyrus Mooney told the council during the remonstrance hearing. Because the objections exceed the statutory 33% threshold, "the assessments cannot be made and the economic improvement project will be terminated," he said.

The EID, initiated at the request of the Bend Central District Business Association, would have levied an assessment starting at 10¢ per commercial square foot to fund marketing, events and beautification in the district, with the rate rising by 8¢ in later years and the city retaining 5% for administrative costs, Mooney said. He said the statutory remonstrance calculation counts commercial square footage, not the number of owners or residential properties.

Dozens of property owners and tenants spoke during the remonstrance hearing. James Floyd, who said he and his wife own a long-standing commercial property in Bend, called the outcome "good news," and urged improved meeting audio so the public can follow proceedings. Jack Holt, another property owner, said the EID process had revealed the district's struggles and expressed concern about adding a new tax burden on landlords and tenants. Megan Martin, executive director of Furnish Hope, said an assessment would divert resources the nonprofit planned to invest in renovating a Central District building.

Some commenters framed the objections as a signal about timing and outreach: "I think it is probably at this point with the result we've had where 1 big development has folded its tent ... there is a message there," one speaker said.

Councilor Perkins moved to certify that objections exceeded the 33% threshold and to direct staff to prepare an ordinance rescinding the EID; Councilor Platt seconded the motion. The council voted to approve the motion and the remonstrance hearing was closed.

Mayor Keebler and other council members encouraged continued engagement through the city's Core Area Advisory Board and other regular forums, saying the conversation about how to invest in the Central District will continue even though the assessment will not move forward under the current proposal.

What's next: Staff will prepare an ordinance to rescind the EID and work with district stakeholders on alternative approaches; the council indicated it may revisit a different proposal in the future after more outreach and potential changes to boundary, scope or rate.