Upcoming workshops seek community input on plan to bolster downtown Merced
.JPG "West Main Street in downtown Merced, Calif., on Thursday, May 7, 2020.")
The City of Merced is soliciting community input as officials move forward with plans for a downtown Merced property-based business improvement district (PBID), a city news release announced Tuesday.
A public-private partnership, the PBID is aimed a promoting the future vitality of downtown Merced.
The proposed district encompasses the area bordering G to V streets east to west and 16th to 19th streets south to north — a region that city officials say is slated to have an exciting year as new restaurants, businesses and public art goes up.
Establishing a PBID by June of this year was pinpointed in the City Council’s 2021-22 goals and priorities for improving downtown Merced and the city’s economic development.
The new PBID district could further spur economic development and beautification downtown, as well as bolster public safety, according to the proposal’s proponents.
“The PBID would do more than provide clean and safe services,” stated Merced Mayor Matthew Serratto in the release.
“Our downtown community is experiencing a renaissance and a PBID would further support its success. A partnership between the city and downtown property owners would allow us to be a driving force for our downtown revitalization.”
A nonprofit public-private partnership would govern the PBID program, with a board of directors comprised mostly of downtown property owners controlling which services are provided and how the budget is spent. Financing would come from levies upon real property in the district.
Ultimately, the result would be increased special benefits to downtown properties within the roughly 40-square block district that go above and beyond those currently provided by the city, according to Merced officials.
The City and PBID Committee is seeking the community’s input via petitions circulating within the downtown area, the release said. Downtown property owners are encouraged to participate and downtown business owners and operators are encouraged to speak with their landlord.
Merced residents are also encouraged to connect with City Council members to provide input.
Community members can participate in upcoming plan review workshops on Wednesday at 2-3 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. Another workshop is scheduled for Thursday at 9-10 a.m. Each workshop will be held at The Mainzer at 655 W. Main St.
If the PBID moves forward, the district would be split into three benefit zones that receive varying levels of services based on need.
The PBID would also replace the current maintenance district and eliminate double business license fees, the release said.
A community engagement team aided by staff would manage projects dedicated to revitalizing downtown and enhancing public safety safety. Additionally, a “clean team” would evolve to maintain tree wells, clean sidewalks and serve as an extra safeguard for the downtown area, according to the release.
“Through these enhanced services, the PBID would galvanize the voices of property owners to set the stage for change,” said Serratto.
This story was originally published March 9, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Upcoming workshops seek community input on plan to bolster downtown Merced."
