The Douglas Design District would like to announce to stakeholders, residents and the business community that they will be temporarily suspending normal operations for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, due in part to the uncertainty regarding a petition protesting the establishment of a Business Improvement District along East Douglas.
“We’re very proud to have supported our businesses at the onset of this crucial time,” said Steven Suellentrop, Vice President of Commercial Lending & Special Projects at Legacy Bank, and DDD Board President, “During our temporary absence, our membership can seek support through other organizations such as the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Wichita Partnership, among others, that have the budgets and capacity in place to maintain higher level operations during this time.”
The Douglas Design District strategic plan included the formation of a Business Improvement District (BID) that would create a sustainable funding model for the organization. Originally approved by Wichita City Council in January of this year, the BID was slated to go into effect in January of 2021. A petition protesting the BID has been submitted to City Hall, and is currently in the process of being verified; a process which is at a standstill because of pandemic-related furloughs at the City. If the petition is recognized as valid, the Douglas Design District will have to evaluate whether an all-volunteer model of operation continues to be feasible.
The pause in operations includes the termination of the sole paid position of Executive Director, currently held by Renee Duxler. Duxler’s contract with the organization was already slated to close at end of year, but as the District forecasts a substantial reduction in voluntary membership dues and donors-- alongside the possible rescind of the BID-- then maintaining a staff position is no longer viable. The Board has determined saving the funds is in best interest of members and donors until further organizational planning can occur. This pause will allow the organization to reassess future goals and capacity.
“This is not the end of the Douglas Design District,” Suellentrop said. “While we continue to be optimistic, we recognize from discussions with other cities that a BID is rarely adopted on the first attempt. As we await a formal determination of the BID, we want to position ourselves to mobilize on the other side of this, and fully support our businesses and community as best possible.”
The District will continue to exist on a quieter level, allowing Board members and volunteers to focus on surviving this economic shutdown in their own respective businesses. The Board has plans to gather input from area businesses and resume limited operations later in the year after determination of the success of the BID, and reassessing organizational goals, as well as establishing plans for continued support and advocacy of small businesses along the east corridor of Douglas Avenue.