The Business Improvement District is set to be renewed for another decade.

On Tuesday, City Commissioners will be asked to set a public hearing for Feb. 19 on the renewal.

State law allows for the creation of business improvement districts for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, prosperity, security and general welfare of the inhabitants of the district and to provide special benefit to the property owners located within the boundaries of said district.

Downtown business improvement district reaches renewal threshold

The goal of the BID is to maintain, beautify, and stimulate development in Great Falls’ historic downtown district.

The Great Falls BID was originally created in May 1989, recreated in July 1999 and again in July 2009.

Holiday lights contest in the works downtown

BIDs are established for 10 years under state law, but can be renewed.

The BID boundary has not changed since 1989 and there are 195 parcels within the boundary, including some owned by Cascade County and the City of Great Falls.

Pedlet program to be highlighted at national conference

To renew the district, state law requires that 60 percent or more of the property owners within the boundary vote to renew.

This year, 82.75 percent of property owners have voted to renew the district. A handful of property owners voted no and some did not return ballots.

Internationally known muralist adding art to downtown Great Falls

If the commission votes to set the hearing for Feb. 19, a legal notice will be published on Jan. 18 and property owners within the district have 15 days after that to file a written protest with the city.

“Suspendlet” coming to second story of Strain Building; two more pedlets planned downtown

Within the district, property owners are assessed a specific amount that funds the BID’s operations, to include snow removal, holiday decor, beautification, visitor information, grants and more.

Public art growing in Great Falls; call for artists open in traffic signal box art program

The city and county parcels are exempt from the assessment so long as the government entities remain owners of those parcels.

BID funded sound system installed along Central Avenue for downtown music

The assessment formula presented to the property owners and recommended to the City Commission is as follows:

• a flat fee of $200.00 for each lot or parcel;
• a flat fee of $50.00 for each lot or parcel with a designated Land Use Code of 125 which is a residential condominium;
• an assessment of $.00165 times the market valuation as provided for by the Montana State Legislature, and
• an assessment of $.015 times the square footage of the land area.