City Council and Residents Debate Downtown Asheville Business Improvement District

City council, residents continue discussing potential Business Improvement District

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — City leaders are looking to vote on possibly moving forward with the Downtown Asheville Business Improvement District (BID), but the discussion is sparking concerns among local business owners.

During Tuesday night’s Asheville City Council meeting, many restaurant owners expressed worry about the potential impact of increased property taxes on their businesses. The BID, if authorized by the city, would be self-governed and provide added services to enhance safety, cleanliness, marketing, capital improvements, and hospitality services within the district.

One concerned business owner, Hannah Gibson of Sow True Seeds, voiced her apprehension about the additional tax burden. “We stand firmly against the Business Improvement District,” she said. “We have concerns that the additional tax will make it more expensive for small businesses to continue to grow and operate within the city.”

The proposed annual assessment rate for businesses within the BID boundary is 0.0919 per $100 of taxable value. The BID’s budget includes allocations for safety and hospitality services, enhanced cleaning services, contingency funds, and management and administration costs, totaling $1,250,000.

While no vote took place during Tuesday’s meeting, city leaders anticipate taking a vote within the next two meetings. The ongoing discussion between city council members and residents highlights the importance of balancing the needs of local businesses with the desire to enhance the downtown area through the BID.

Stay tuned for updates on the potential establishment of the Downtown Asheville Business Improvement District as the conversation continues to unfold.