Attempt at Forming a Business Improvement District
In late 2018, the Wichita City Council appointed a Planning Committee to explore the creation of a BID for the DDD. A Business Improvement District (BID) is a defined area in which businesses are required to pay an annual assessment in order to fund projects within the district's boundaries. In Kansas, BIDs are funded by the local government levying a mandatory fee on the businesses within the district. While the local government levies the fee, it can contract with a third-party organization to operate the BID. The structure, guidelines, and process for the creation of a BID within the state of Kansas can be found under Kansas Statute 12-1782 through 12-17, 106. Examples of other BIDs in Kansas include: the Salina Downtown Business Improvement District, the Topeka Tourism Business Improvement District, and the Downtown Topeka Business Improvement District. After numerous meetings and significant research of other BIDs in the region, the Planning Committee recommended the creation of a BID for the DDD.
In early 2020, in response to the recommendation from the Business Improvement District Planning Committee, the Wichita City Council passed an ordinance that established a BID for the Douglas Design District and appointed the 14 initial members of the Business Improvement Advisory Board. Following the establishment of the BID, the City of Wichita received a valid protest petition from a majority of the owners of businesses located within the BID opposing the continuation of the BID or levying of service fees. In October 2020, the Wichita City Council passed an ordinance repealing Ordinance 51-176 that established a Business Improvement District for the Douglas Design District.
Timeline of Douglas Design District BID
- In August 2018, the Wichita City Council appointed a Planning Committee to explore the creation of a BID for the DDD. After numerous meetings and significant research of other BIDs in the region, the Planning Committee recommended the creation of a BID for the DDD.
- On December 10, 2019, the City Council received the Douglas Design District BID Planning Committee Proposal, which recommended creating a BID for the DDD. Also at this meeting, the City Council adopted a resolution of intent (Resolution No. 19-461) stating the intent of the City Council to consider creating a BID for the DDD at a public hearing on January 14, 2020.
- The resolution of intent along with a notice of public hearing was mailed to all businesses within the boundaries of the proposed BID on December 13, 2019.
- The notice of public hearing was published in the official newspaper on December 13, 2019.
- On January 21, 2020, the Wichita City Council passed an ordinance that established a Business Improvement District (BID) for the Douglas Design District.
- Ordinance 51-176 establishing the BID was published in the official newspaper on January 24, 2020.
- On March 9, 2020, within the 45-day protest period, the City of Wichita received a protest petition. A total of 132 signatures on the protest petition were verified. This constituted a majority of businesses and required the City Council to pass an ordinance that dissolved the BID pursuant to K.S.A. 12-1789.
- On October 20, 2020, the Wichita City Council passed an ordinance repealing Ordinance 51-176 that established a Business Improvement District for the Douglas Design District.
