City Council approved the Business Improvement District proposal, and the recommended Advisory Board. That Advisory Board will now do the work over the next few months to solidify a formal budget, contract, and other terms for the BID. We know there are still questions about the budget and services to be provided and we are excited to finally sit down to work on the answers to those, which will be presented to our businesses in May. Businesses will have until August to get more information on the BID before the final opportunity to protest will be available. We are asking that businesses hold tight before signing any current protest petition because there is still more time and information to come.

Read the full BID Proposal, including recommended budget and Advisory Board below:

We are getting reports that some businesses felt they were misinformed or bullied into signing a protest petition. If you signed the petition and now wish to rescind that signature, you can access that form below. Instructions for submitting it are on the form.

We want to hear from you! Click here to weigh in on your BID Support, or ask for more information.

Together, We’ve Built This District

The Douglas Design District has operated as voluntary, membership-based non-profit for over ten years. Together, we’ve accomplished a lot, including:

• Cleaned-up and beautified the District with gardens and murals.

• Advocated for sheltered bus stops, extended Q-Line routes, bike share, scooters, and enhanced infrastructure in 2021.

• Attracted new businesses, raising property values.

• Enhanced our quality of place, which has contributed to attracting and retaining young talent.

Sustainable Funding, Unstoppable Growth

Our opportunities are numerous, but not without a sustainable funding model.

The creation of a Business Improvement District (BID) could be just the solution. A Business Improvement District is a defined area in which businesses are required to pay an annual assessment in order to fund projects within the district's boundaries. Over 1,000 BIDs exist across the nation to support small, local businesses. This is a well-tested and respected method of financing improvements in a commercial area, with the overall goal of economic development and growth.

In August 2018, the Mayor and City Council chartered a Business Improvement District Planning Committee to research the plausibility of creating a Business Improvement District (BID) within the area currently known as the Douglas Design District. 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.

After many months of research of other Business Improvement Districts in Kansas, as well as comparable midwestern communities such as Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Omaha, and Lincoln, the Planning Committee has created an assessment proposal that includes all businesses located at street front property on Douglas Avenue, between Washington and Glendale. Approximately 42% of those businesses are already paying members of the Douglas Design District. This BID assessment would be instead of (and not in addition to) those membership dues.

Businesses located within the Douglas Design District foot print but not on the Douglas street front— south to Kellogg and North to 2nd Street— will still be eligible for voluntary membership to the District, with the same fee structure.

Based on research and best practices, below are the proposed annual assessment fees for businesses located on the street front of Douglas Avenue, from Washington to Glendale. This includes multi-family residential properties of 3 units or more, as well as vacant properties (owners of these properties will be assessed the BID fee in these circumstances; see assessment table below). Religious or government institutions, non-profit organizations, single family residences, and businesses located in a single-family home (not zoned for business) ARE NOT assessed under a Business Improvement District.

*In the instance of a vacant commercial property the property owner shall be assessed

Your BID Support Can:

Think About It

A typical small business can spend a minimum of $5,000 annually on advertising in radio, TV, print, and social media. An investment in a Business Improvement District is a fraction of the cost, delivers a high rate of return, and contributes to the overall growth and development of our community. Research shows that many businesses within a BID see a 5-8 percent growth in sales annually, in addition to normal growth rates that would be expected without the BID (Journal of Economic Education and Economic Education Research)

The Bottom Line

Without sustainable funding, the Douglas Design District could cease to exist. We need your help advocating for, and investing in, our future. We will be holding multiple discussions and open meetings in order to assess our businesses’ priorities for marketing, management, beautification, events, and programming. Please feel free to reach out with feedback, questions, and other concerns, as your input is incredibly important to us.

To learn more, contact Renee Duxler at 316-512-8969 or renee@dddwichita.com, or Scott Knebel at 316-268-4456 or sknebel@wichita.gov

Read our special guest column in the Wichita Eagle on Nov. 7, 2019:

Link: “Continue to invest in Douglas Design District” by Stacy Ward Lattin

The Business Improvement District Planning Committee

Emily Boyd, Central Standard Brewing

Jeff Breault, R & J Liquor

Steve Bruner, Zyxaxis

Cindy Claycomb, City Council District 6

Karen Cundiff, Transitions Group

Jason Gregory, Downtown Wichita

Brandon Johnson, City Council District 1

Janelle King, The Workroom

Adam Steiner, Clifton Square

Melisa Sorenson, Legacy Bank