Title
Briefing on the Olympia Downtown Alliance Downtown Improvement District (DID) Process
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing from the Olympia Downtown Alliance on the Downtown Improvement District (DID) process. Briefing only; no action requested.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing from the Olympia Downtown Alliance on the Downtown Improvement District (DID) process.
Staff Contact:
Amy Buckler, Strategic Projects Manager, Community Planning & Development, 360.570.5847
Presenter(s):
Amy Buckler
Todd Cutts, Executive Director, Olympia Downtown Alliance
Kate Joncas, Director of Urban Strategy and Development, MIG
Background and Analysis:
Downtown property owners are exploring the notion of a Downtown Improvement District (DID), which would be a property-owner based assessment in downtown Olympia. The Olympia Downtown Alliance (ODA) is helping to facilitate this process.
The attached Quick Facts describes the DID, and the proposed boundaries, services, management and assessment rates. Also attached is the draft business proposal.
A DID is a private-sector funding mechanism designed to improve the environment of a designated area with new services. The proposed DID would contribute $850,000 to clean and safe, promotions and special projects in the downtown. Olympia's Downtown Strategy identifies these categories as priorities to move forward the community's vision for downtown.
The proposal is for the DID to be governed by a board made up of property and business owners in the district, with day-to-day management provided by a non-profit business entity (likely the ODA). Each year the DID Board would present a recommendation to the City Council for use of the assessment funds. This model is typical of most business improvement districts in the nation.
DID's are authorized under Washington State law by RCW 35.87A. The City's current business-based improvement d...
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