STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BID PROJECT

Downtown Steamboat Springs

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

OPERATING PLAN (FINAL DRAFT September 4, 2018)

Name: Steamboat Springs Downtown Business Improvement District (BID)

Legal Authority: A BID in Colorado is organized pursuant to the Business Improvement District Act, Section 31-25-1201 et seq., Colorado Revised Statutes.

BID Boundaries: The BID area generally encompasses the commercial properties on Lincoln Avenue, Oak Street, and Yampa Street, from 12th Street to 3rd Street. It also includes the five contiguous properties east of 3rd Street on either side of South Lincoln Avenue, bounded by Fish Creek Falls Road and Old Fish Creek Falls Road. The river-adjacent properties on the southern side of Yampa are included. Additionally, parcels on both sides of Oak Street are included up until the block on Oak between 9th and 10th, of which only the southern parcels are included. The parcels on Oak between 10th and 11th are included, but not those parcels between 11th to 12th. A map of the proposed district is attached to this document. Personal property is not included in the BID boundary.

City Services: BID services are designed to supplement existing city services that are currently provided along the Lincoln-Yampa-Oak downtown corridor. BID services are not meant to replace any existing city services. The BID and the City are working toward the creation of a Base Level of Services Agreement which outlines the frequency and type of current city services being provided within the BID.

Benefit Zones:

• Zone A (“Premium”): Parcels with Yampa and Lincoln Street frontage within the BID boundary, or with frontage on any side street located between Yampa and Lincoln streets.

• Zone B (“Standard”): All of the parcels within the BID boundary, including parcels with Oak Street frontage that are not part of Zone A.

Work Program: The work program includes activities and priorities developed by business and property owners. The 2019 work program will be finalized by the BID board at its initial meetings and may be modified annually thereafter. Marketing and maintenance services will vary depending on the designated benefit zones within the BID.

Zone A (Premium) Only:

Enhanced Maintenance and Physical Improvements may include:

• Snow removal from sidewalks

• Litter picking and sweeping

• Pan and broom services

• Increased frequency of emptying and cleaning trash receptacles

• Power washing sidewalks and walkways

• Gum removal

• Physical Improvements that may include:

  • Additional lighting

  • Bike amenities (e.g. racks)

  • Street furniture

  • Alley clean-up and activation

District-Wide: Zone B

General Fund Enhanced Services and Improvements may include:

Marketing Improvements may include:

• In tandem with but not duplicating efforts of the Steamboat Main Street organization, guide public relations to heighten awareness of retail, restaurants, services, and amenities in the downtown area.

• Increase winter and shoulder season marketing efforts

• Collaborative advertising and promotions aimed at both local customers and tourists

• Support Steamboat Springs Main Street in event management and promotion.

• Public art

• Wayfinding and district identity signage

• Other efforts as appropriate

Advocacy and Communications efforts may include:

• Advocacy on behalf of BID stakeholders regarding relevant city-led planning and improvement efforts

• Participation in developing parking management policies and infrastructure

• Pursuit of grants and other funding to leverage BID assessments for projects and improvements

• Effective advocacy for downtown interests, building upon relationships with the City, Colorado Department of Transportation, and other agencies and organizations.

• Conduct periodic planning and/or feasibility studies to resolve downtown policy challenges and opportunities

Supplemental Enhanced Maintenance may include:

• Maintenance services as needed throughout the district for “spot cleaning”, unique events or other needs.

• Contingency for snow removal in extraordinary years.

• Contingency for physical improvements.

• Other needs as allowed under the BID statute and as determined by the BID board of directors.

Assessment Methodology/Budget: The BID will be funded by a combination of mill levy and special assessment. The mill levy, based on assessed property value, will be imposed on commercial real properties only. The special assessments – to be applied to all non-residential properties –  will be based on linear feet of frontage.

The BID is expected to raise approximately $300,000 for its first year of operation.  Proposed rates of assessment for the first year of operations are:

• Zone A:   Special Assessment of $10.29 per linear foot of frontage to support enhanced maintenance

• Zone A & B:  Mill levy of 2.22 mills to support general fund enhanced marketing, communications, advocacy and supplemental enhanced maintenance.

Additionally, a hardship clause can be extended to nonprofit organizations within the BID to seek a reduction or waiver of special assessments that would be legitimately burdened by not receiving the full benefit of a special assessment, contingent on Board approval of each individual case.

The BID board will propose an annual operating budget once the BID is formed.

Annual Assessment Adjustments:  The mill levy revenue will be subject to limitations set by the Colorado Constitution (i.e. TABOR) and may be increased annually, as determined by the BID board of directors, by an amount not to exceed the rate of “inflation” and a factor of “local growth” as defined by TABOR.  The special assessment may be adjusted annually, as determined by the BID board of directors, by an amount not to exceed a 10% increase in any one year.

BID Governance: The Steamboat Springs Downtown BID board will consist of seven members appointed by the city to allow for a diversity of property types, uses, and geography.

Program Management Structure:  The BID will have its own board, work program and may have a staffing component.  It is anticipated that the BID will contract with the Steamboat Main Street program, a Colorado non-profit organization, to deliver BID services.   This arrangement is intended to leverage resources, reduce administrative costs and eliminate any duplication in service delivery.

Term: BIDs in Colorado may be perpetual. However, the Steamboat BID will have an initial ten-year term. This will allow for property owners to evaluate the BID’s effectiveness at the end of the term. If the BID is deemed successful, the BID will request that the City Council renew the BID by resolution after the initial period.  If the BID is not considered to be successful, it will sunset at the end of the initial term.

Dissolution: Under Colorado law, the BID may be dissolved following a public hearing if property owners representing at least 50% of acreage within the BID and at least 50% of total assessed value within the BID submit petitions for dissolution to City Council. City Council also retains discretion to initiate dissolution proceedings if the BID fails to submit an operating plan and budget for two successive years to the City.

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