City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 21, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Adoption of Business Improvement Service District Guidelines.
BODY
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ISSUE: Adoption of Business Improvement Service District Guidelines.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council adopt the proposed Business Improvement Service District Guidelines.
BACKGROUND: Earlier this year, City Council adopted their calendar year 2022 priorities, which included "COVID-19 pandemic recovery: Identifying policies, practices and resources needed to ensure a resilient and equitable recovery for all residents and businesses." Aligned with that priority, staff has created guidelines for City Council's adoption that outlines how interested business communities, or proponent groups, can propose the formation of a Business Improvement District (BID). Groups of businesses in the City have expressed interest in exploring this tool as part of recovery efforts, and in recent years, the City has encouraged or required the formation of BIDs in new development areas. The guidelines provide the framework and instructions for these groups to request BID formation, - with the ultimate decision on formation determined by City Council on an application-by-application basis.
While the region and nation have moved into a phase of economic recovery, the environment for businesses in the City remains challenging based on continued negative impacts of the pandemic. Regional competition for customers and visitors is more prevalent and communities with existing BIDs and mixed-use developments with professional management have the advantage of pooling resources and more quickly executing new strategies. Alexandria business districts are aware of this disadvantage and believe that it is time to explore this tool for their competitive and sust...
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