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Things are changing in DTSP, and we know you have questions. We’re here to answer them as honestly and accurately as possible, so we can all work together to keep improving our downtown for business owners, residents and visitors alike.
What is an Improvement District?
An Improvement District is a specified geographic area to provide additional services that the local government can’t or won’t provide. Improvement districts have been around for many years and exist in hundreds of cities across the world Click here to learn more about other improvement districts around the country.
How does an Improvement District work?
Typically, the local government will determine the boundaries and funding structure. The local government hires a nonprofit management company to provide the services desired by the property owners. Districts are usually created at the request of the local property owners to provide enhanced services and create greater property values for their neighborhood.
What services do Improvement Districts provide?
Priorities are determined by a board made up of property owners who decide what the district will focus on. Some improvement districts produce events, have marketing campaigns, manage signage and wayfinding, recruit retailers, offer parking management services, provide additional security, enhance trash collection and cleaning efforts, and aid people who are unhoused. The property owners determine how the money they are paying is spent.
How is the Improvement District governed?
A new 501(c)6 organization will be formed to manage the needs of the district and sign a contract with City leaders to provide services to the downtown geography defined by the district. The board of the new nonprofit management company will be made up of residential and commercial property owners who are the ones paying into the district. Nonprofit bylaws and a multi-year contract with the city will provide governing documents for the management entity, with oversight from the board and elected leaders.
What are the proposed boundaries of the Improvement District?
The proposed boundaries for the Downtown Improvement District are approx. Third Ave. N. to Fourth Ave S. and Fifth St. N. to Waterfront.
What services will be provided by the new Downtown Improvement District in St. Petersburg?
Property owners who will sit on the board of the nonprofit management entity will determine the priorities and allocate the budget for the district. At this time, a priority will be placed on clean and safe programs with enhanced security, cleaning services, graffiti removal, additional park maintenance and support for people experiencing homelessness. These priorities can evolve as the needs of downtown change over time.
What state statute governs the creation of Improvement Districts?
Florida law allows a variety different ways to create special assessment areas or development districts.
What is the difference between a Development Authority and a Special Service Area?
In some Florida cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm, Clearwater and Lakeland, the District is created at a state level by the legislature and acts as a governmental agency. This is called a Downtown Development Authority and it has many of the same governmental and bureaucratic obligations as a city or county. Most development districts around the country operate like Downtown Tampa where the boundaries are drawn by the City Council and a Special Service Area is created by the City Council. A nonprofit is hired to manage the district. This approach keeps control closer to home and provides less bureaucracy freeing up resources to be spent directly on services.
What other Florida cities have Special Service Areas or Development Authorities?
St. Petersburg is one of the few Florida urban centers that does not already have this kind of management service in our downtown. Clearwater, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Miami, Orlando, Pensacola, Tampa, and West Palm Beach all have improvement districts of some kind. Click here to learn more about other improvement districts in Florida and around the country.
