The final "Imagine Columbia´s Future" Visioning Report has been released and the Board of the Columbia Special Business District is already taking steps to move forward with some key recommendations by the Downtown Task Force, the primary one being a complete restructuring of the Special Business District to better address member needs, economic growth and future downtown development.
When the SBD was first formed in 1979, we only needed to worry about a small area around Ninth and Broadway. Now we have 43 blocks that are either just as vital as Ninth and Broadway or are well on the way to becoming so. Mixed-use residential development is planned and several catalytic development projects are in the works as well.
We simply don´t have the resources—staff or financial—to keep up with this growth. After nearly three decades, it's time to restructure so we can better meet our members´ needs.
To jumpstart the process, the SBD has retained the services of the downtown consulting firm Progressive Urban Management Associates (P.U.M.A.) who will begin an organizational assessment of the SBD beginning in March. P.U.M.A. has helped over 80 downtown organizations across the nation increase their effectiveness through restructuring. Springfield, St. Louis and Kansas City have all benefited from the services P.U.M.A. provides. The consultants will consider a number of restructuring options including the possible formation of a Community Improvement District (CID), a district similar to an SBD but with the ability to pull in more revenues and offer a wider range of member services.
The folks from PUMA will be conducting a number of small focus groups and will be sending out surveys as well so all members will have the opportunity to offer input. Meanwhile, learn more about the process with the following resources:
SBD Member Survey. Take this quick survey and you could win a $100 District shopping spree!
____________
SBD Restructuring. Learn more about the process.
____________
Annual Report now available. Download your copy now.
____________
Parking Garage Proposals. Planned for Walnut Street.
____________
SBD Funding. An overview of our revenue sources.
____________
SBD Update. Read the latest member news.
____________
What's a CID? Community Improvement Districts and other development incentives.
____________
Whose Job Is It? Check out our quick maintenance guide and report problems online.
____________
Graffiti Problems? Read our Crime Prevention Guide for tips on what to do.
____________
____________
Free WiFi hotspots!
____________
Member newsletter. Join our mailing list.
____________
New Wayfinding Signage. Installation completed!
____________
Real change, not spare change. Work towards real social change at www.changeforcolumbia.com.
____________
