Wichita city council members have given first-round approval to an ordinance establishing a funding district to support the continued activities of the Douglas Design District, which runs from Washington to Oliver.
A Business Improvement District would provide financing and administration for more services to businesses within the district. It would be funded through a mandatory annual fee for the businesses within the district, and that would range from $100 to $550 depending on the size of the business.
The Douglas Design District has been a voluntary organization, and members told the council that it is showing signs of strain. The members want to create a financially self-sustaining organization that won’t have to rely on a volunteer staff. Some business owners told the council that the yearly fee would be a hardship for them, and they urged the council to deny the BID.
(Read more: KFDI 101.3)