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RESEARCH TOOLS › MRSC Inquiries › Economic Development
 

MRSC Inquiries

Economic Development

    Economic Development - Business Improvement Districts


    1. Request for information on business improvements districts.

      Statutory Authority

      • Chapter 35.87A, RCW - Parking and Business Improvement Areas
      • ESSB 6026 - Authorizes special assessments to fund convention & tourism promotion

      Examples of BIAs in Washington

      City of Leavenworth:

      City of Seattle:

      • Business Improvement Area (BIA) Handbook, September 2001 (Great publication that explains what, how, where, and how of BIAs. It also contains a chart listing Seattle's BIAs, date established, method of assessment, budget, and staff contact information - scroll down to about page 15.)
      • Seattle Resolution No. 30389 (Adopts updated policies regarding the establishment and management of Parking and Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), supercedes Resolution 29706, passed 9-01)
      • Seattle, WA Resolution No. 29965 (Establishes a Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area, passed 6-99)
      • Seattle, WA Ordinance No. 119541 (Establishes a Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area, passed 7-99)

      Tacoma:

      These pages on the MRSC website may also be helpful:

      MRSC Resources

      Here are some additional documents that are available from the MRSC Library:

      Articles:

      • "Are BIDs working?" Urban Land, January 1997, pp. 32-58. (LID 5.1000) "Betting on BIDS," by Sharon Colley. American City & County, December 1999, pp. 21-31(6). (LID 5.1000)
      • The Future of Business Improvement Districts: Smaller and More Creative," Downtown Idea Exchange, November 1, 1997. p. 1. (LID 5.1000)
      • "Smart Money: New directions for business improvement districts," by Lawrence O. Houston. Planning, January 1998, pp. 12-15. (LID 5.1000)
      • "Starting a business improvement district in a small community," Downtown Idea Exchange, June 1, 1996. (LID 5.1000)
      • Tacoma budget and agreement for services in administering the operation of the Downtown Tacoma BIA, dated 1988. - (LID 5.1000)

      Contracts:

      • Downtown Business Improvement District enhanced Municipal Services Agreement between City of Spokane and Downtown Spokane Development Association, Inc. Dated January 1, 1999, 11 p. - (LID 5.1000)
      • Operations agreement between City of Spokane and Downtown Spokane Development Association, Inc. Dated January 1, 1999, 11 p. - (LID 5.1000)

      Ordinances:

      • Everett, WA Ordinance No. 2097-95. Passed 9-95. - (LID 5.1000)
      • Kirkland, WA Ordinance No. 3325 provides for disestablishment of the Kirkland Downtown Business Improvement Area, and adopts a program to wind up the affairs of the Business Improvement Area. Passed 7-92. - (LID 5.1000)
      • Port Angeles, WA Ordinance No. 2579 increases annual assessment rates for payments by downtown businesses. Passed 4-90. - (LID 5.1000)
      • Poulsbo Ordinance No. 98-13 renames the business improvement area as the Historic Downtown Poulsbo Association; deletes an exemption from special assessment, passed 5-98 (LID 5.1000) and (PL 2.6500)
      • Seattle Resolution No. 30389 adopts updated policies regarding the establishment and management of Parking and Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), supercedes Resolution 29706, passed 9-01. (LID 5.1000)
      • Seattle, WA Resolution No. 28925 declares intention to establish a Chinatown/International District Parking and Business Improvement Area in accordance with RCW 35.87A as contemplated by the petition submitted by owners and/or operators of businesses, buildings and property located within the area and responsible for 60% or more of the assessments of area businesses. Includes text of the petition. Passed 6-94. LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT - LID - BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA - (LID 5.1000)
      • Seattle, WA Resolution No. 29965 establishes a Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area, passed 6-99 (LID 5.1000)
      • Seattle, WA Ordinance No. 119541 establishes a Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area, passed 7-99 (LID 5.1000)
      • Spokane, WA Resolution No. 95-55 declares the intention to establish a downtown Spokane Parking and Business Improvement Area. Passed 4-95. - (LID 5.1000)
      • Spokane, WA Resolution No. 01-73 resolution of intent to establish a parking and business improvement area. Passed 9-01. (LID 5.1000)
      • Tacoma Ordinance No. 26205 reestablishes a Downtown Business Improvement Area; provides for a levy within the area; and provides for deposit and expenditures of revenues in a special account, passed 3-98. - (LID 5.1000)
      • Tacoma Ordinance No. 26938 continuing the Business Improvement Area ("BIA") for the fifteenth year and providing for the levy of the fifth year assessment of the renewed BIA work. Passed 3-02. (LID 5.1000)

      In addition to the cities of Auburn, Bothell, Everett, Poulsbo, Redmond, Seattle, and Spokane cited in the Leavenworth survey, it appears from information garnered from our files that the following cities also have or had at one time a BIA - Burien, Kelso, Kirkland, Longview, Port Angeles, and Tacoma.

      In addition, we suggest that you check with the Department of Community Trade and Economic Development - Community Economic Assistance Center (contact: Tina Cohen (360) 725-4051 or Susan Kempf (360) 725-4056, or their website.