“I’m looking forward to it,” said Downtown Merchants Association President Debbie Johnson of Monday’s balloting.Johnson, co-owner of the Santa Paula Times, and a core of merchants and property owners have been working on the BID effort for years, even longer on general improvements in the area.A BID “Will benefit not only the merchants in the downtown, but the entire community. It will give us the tools to market the area and Santa Paula, bring people in who will want to spend their dollars here.”Johnson said the merchants have “put a lot of energy into the downtown and it’s starting to show. I believe we can continue working in a positive direction. I give the city a lot of credit; since Wally [Bobkiewicz, city manager] has been on board the city has been cleaning the area everyday,” and showing pride in their efforts. “We must keep working in that direction and get the BID passed so we can continue to work in that direction to see an improved downtown.”The effort has not been without its critics, who question the benefits of the BID, but supporters - some who were initially skeptical - said the BID’s built in 5-year “sunset” clause, when the BID must be renewed, and the elected oversight board boosted their confidence in the effort.
Downtown property owners will decide BID at Monday’s council hearing
March 14, 2003
Santa Paula News
Santa Paulans will be going to the polls Monday, downtown property owners that is, when the ballots are counted to decide whether or not a property-based Business Improvement District will be created in an effort boost the area’s economy.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesSanta Paulans will be going to the polls Monday, downtown property owners that is, when the ballots are counted to decide whether or not a property-based Business Improvement District will be created in an effort boost the area’s economy.The ballots - which have been mailed in or can be cast in person by property owners - will be counted at Monday’s City Council hearing, which starts at 6:30 p.m.The balloting is the end of a years-long effort to create the PBID, where property owners access themselves according to the location and square footage of their property.About $75,000 annually could be garnered for a BID, enough to pay the salary of a downtown manager who will work with merchants to better their storefronts and organize promotions and special events. BID funds would also fund advertising efforts to get more shoppers from throughout the county into the downtown.In 1999, the city hired Downtown/Main Street Visions (D/MSV) to explore with downtown stakeholders the feasibility of forming a property-based BID. As the first steps in the process to economically revitalize the historic downtown commercial business district extensive surveys, canvassing and meetings explained the concept, costs and results.
