BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AtARE Work in SeattleAS A guide to the legislation and strategies for its use SEATTLE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT’S ONLY IN SEATTLE INITIATIVE This publication is an outgrowth of the Business Improvement Area (BIA) Assistance Program. Part of the Seattle Office of Economic Development’s Only in Seattle Initiative, the BIA Assistance Program provides training and technical assistance to business districts throughout the city in forming, managing, and updating Business Improvement Areas. For more information about Only in Seattle or the BIA Assistance Program, contact the Office of Economic Development at
[email protected] or 206.684.8090 or www.seattle.gov/economicdevelopment. Spring 2012 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY What are BIAs? BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREAS (BIAs) are funding mechanisms for business district revitalization and management. Specifically, the mechanism is an assessment collected from businesses and/or properties within defined boundaries. The funds collected are used to provide services for the mutual benefit of the businesses and properties being assessed. The concept of business district management funded through mandatory assessments has been around for many years, and gained wide popularity during the 1990s. Under one name or another, well over 1,000 such districts exist throughout the United States, with many more in Canada and throughout the world. BIAs include programs and services such as marketing, public area maintenance, security, parking, streetscape improvements, and professional management. Each BIA has a ratepayers advisory board made up of ratepayers within the BIA boundary. Creating a BIA In Seattle, BIAs are enacted by the City Council, using the authority of state law (RCW 35.87A) and the city charter.