BID Progress Report 2001

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Downtown Helena
Business Improvement District
Progress Report 2001

At A Glance

The Business Improvement District (BID) is in the early stages of implementing a 10 year plan that was part of the BID renewal process last year. One question property owners asked during renewal was "what are we doing to help downtown?" Some of the answers are contained in this years' new Downtown BID Progress Report.

Much of the BIDs work involves forming cooperative relationships with businesses, property owners, local governments and citizens. It's important to communicate directly with our downtown partners to ensure our success. Our job is to coordinate efforts, leverage public and private actions, and plan for the future growth and improvement of downtown. This report is a summary of the current status of our on-going projects and long-term programs.

The Downtown Organizations: BID and DHI

Downtown Helena Inc. (DHI) is a non-profit business membership association for downtown. The Downtown BID is a property owners organization. The BID staff serves both organizations. This partnership allows us to share staffing and administrative costs and be more decisive regarding downtown programs. It's no accident that parking management, events coordination, urban design, promotions and downtown development are linked through the BID office. This kind of cooperative effort makes coordination and planning for future improvements more effective.

Getting Focused: BID and HPC Boards Merge

Two years ago, the Montana Legislature revised the law that allows business improvement districts to also serve as parking commissions. The Helena City Commission approved this new board structure in October 2000 so that the Downtown Helena Business Improvement board now serves as the parking commission. This has greatly simplified administration and creates a central decision making body with a more comprehensive approach to downtown development. This change means that the BID board, as representatives of property and business owners in the district, can make management decisions regarding public parking.

Our Goals:

Financial Information for Fiscal Year 2001
Looking Ahead
Board of Trustees and Staff
Introduction

Downtown Helena Business Improvement District Progress Report 2001

At A Glance

The Downtown Organizations: BID and DHI

Getting Focused: BID and HPC Boards Merge

Downtown Helena
Business Improvement District
Progress Report 2001