“Good Evening Council,

Over the last 2 years The BID Education Committee has built a coalition. More than 30 community organizations, over 33 downtown businesses, multiple Unions organized together. Buffered by over 1500 petition signers we joined together to stop the RDDC’s hostile takeover BID of our downtown.

Last month, just days before our long-awaited work session with you, the RDDC announced they were taking a step back from their BID. In their email, they tried to pin their failure on you by saying there was not “political will on council”.

Once again, the RDDC is wrong.

There is political will on council.

It’s the will of the people.

And the people don’t want a BID. You heard us, Thank you.

Your support and your efforts have not gone unnoticed.

Now the RDDC would probably like to go unnoticed, but that’s just not going to happen. The RDDC has not built trust.

The RDDC’s withdrawal tactic not only blocked public testimony, it also blocked a formal no vote.

A big question remains: Can the RDDC wait and file a district plan months or years from now?

I have to ask, because when asked about the BID, CEO Galin Brooks publicly stated “It’s not never, it’s just not now for us.”

We need to know where this legislation stands.
And if necessary, formal action by council must be taken to prevent a surprise filing.

In the last 3 days we’ve had other communities reach out, looking to fight surprise BID efforts.

Our community deserves closure, Let’s put this BID to bed.

And while you’re at it,

Fund the vacancy study
Pause the Assessment
And let’s move forward together”

NOTE: The above statement was meant to be read at Speak to Council last night, but the intended speaker was unable to address council.