Colorado Politics

Downtown Denver’s Business Improvement District up for 10-year renewal

The Downtown Denver Business Improvement District is again up for renewal after 30 years of operation, with the City Council set to vote this month on extending the organization for another decade.

The Business Improvement District is a public organization funded by about 400 downtown property owners. It’s mandate is to supplement city services to help keep downtown safe and clean and support the economic vitality of the center city.

The council business committee unanimously approved the extension Wednesday, sending it to the full council for a vote. The extension will have to pass two full council votes before implementation.

“Continuing for a fourth decade is more important now than ever as we focus on economic resiliency and recovery by having an inviting and activating downtown,” said Beth Moyski with Downtown Denver Partnership. “We want to set Denver apart in the years ahead.”

The Business Improvement District, formed in 1992, focuses on downtown maintenance, cleaning, safety, economic development and use by pedestrians. That includes providing trash and recycling services, snow removal, landscaping, daily security, hanging lights for the holidays and adding tables and chairs along the 16th Street Mall for public use. The organization also connects homeless residents in the downtown area with city resources and services. It hosts 17 local vendors, allowing them to operate on the mall, and has helped create over 145,000 jobs, Moyski said.

“(This is) a model that people look at around the nation to see how to have an economic engine that works for the city and the region,” Councilman Chris Hinds said. “Making sure we have a strong, vibrant city center is critical.”

As part of the required 10-year renewal process, the Business Improvement District issued a petition of support to downtown property owners, 71.88% of whom signed – a record high, according to Moyski. She added they received no opposition from organization members or the public regarding the renewal. City staff also spoke in support of the renewal Wednesday.

The full council is scheduled to hold its first vote on the renewal June 28 and its second and final vote July 12.

Trey Craig, right, walks along the 16th Street Mall with his girlfriend, Tiana Stubbs, center, and her son, Dante Stubbs, 13, on Dante’s birthday, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021 in Denver. (Michael Ciaglo/Special to The Denver Gazette)
Michael Ciaglo/Special to The Denver Gazette
Tags denver

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