2025-048 Downtown Public Improvement District Update May 16,2025 Report No. 2025-048
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Downtown Public Improvement District Update
BACKGROUND:
On November 7, 2023, City Council approved a two-year pilot for the implementation of the
Downtown Ambassador Program as part of a multi-pronged approach to develop solutions for a
cleaner, safer and more vibrant downtown. The pilot program, aligns with the City's strategic
priority of strengthening community and quality of life,began January 2024 and is funded through
the City's General Fund at an annual cost of$703,303. The City contracts with the third party,
Block by Block, to administer the program, providing cleaning, safety and hospitality services
downtown daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Ambassadors provide services within a 272-acre boundary
running east to west from Carroll Boulevard to Exposition Street,and north to south from Congress
Street to Eagle Drive (Attachment 1). An overview of services provided is included below.
Cleaning Services: Cleaning, Power Washing, Trash Removal, Graffiti Removal,
Beautification
Safety Services: Referrals to Social Services & Collaboration with Outreach,
Discourage Illegal Behavior, Regular Communication with Law Enforcement
Hospitality Services: Hospitality Tasks: Directions, Motorist Assists, Safety &
Umbrella Escorts, Business Contacts, Coordination with Parks Downtown
Maintenance
Subsequently, on September 17, 2024, City Council adopted the Design Downtown Plan. One of
the plan's key recommendations was the establishment of a Downtown Public Improvement
District (PID) to serve as a sustainable funding mechanism for initiatives aimed at improving the
Downtown experience. The plan identified three core activities that could be supported through
PID generated revenue:
1. Ambassador/Safety Program
2. Marketing and events
3. Public realm maintenance
DISCUSSION:
Economic Development and Community Services staff initiated research into the potential
formation of a Downtown Public Improvement District. The purpose of a PID is to fund additional
services or improvements within the defined geographic area of a city or county. PID's are special
assessments paid by the landowners that benefit from the public services and/or improvements.
May 16,2025 Report No. 2025-048
Downtown Public Improvement District Assessment Rates
Assessment Annual
Rate/$100 City Tax Assessment Ad Valorem Total
Taxable Value Valuation Rate Pa ble Payable Payable
$251,485,023 0.10 0.58542 $251,486 $1,472,249 $1,723,735
$251,485,023 0.20 0.58542 $502,972 $1,472,249 $1,975,221
$251,485,023 0.25 0.58542 $628,715 $1,472,249 $2,100,964
$251,485,023 0.30 0.58542 $754,458 $1,472,249 $2,226,707
*Notes: Boundaries based on the Design Downtown Plan; exempt and residential properties
excluded. (Attachment 2)
133 Acres
355 Parcels
219 Downtown Pro pert Owners
Total alue
Land alue $110,088,677
Im rovement Value $142,521, 802
Market Value $252,610,479
Taxable Value $251,485,923
Key Milestones:
• January 15, 2025: Staff met with Matt Beard, Director of Public Improvement Districts
for the City of Fort Worth, to gain insights into the establishment and long-term
sustainability of PID's.
• January 17, 2025: Staff hosted an informational session for the Downtown property
owners, focusing on the purpose,benefits, and use of PID funds. Twenty property owners
attended the session, which included case studies from Downtown Fort Worth, Dallas and
San Antonio. Participants engaged in a live poll to provide feedback to staff:
o The attendees indicated support for:
■ Public Improvements
■ Safety and Security
■ Amenities and Facilities
o Others requested more information on potential funding opportunities for the PID.
Initial Survey Feedback:
Following the session, staff developed a more comprehensive survey to collect detailed input
from Downtown property owners. Survey information was distributed to 202 downtown property
owner contacts via USPS and email. Fourteen property owners completed the survey. The 14
respondents own 28 properties, that represents approximately 13% of the identified 219
downtown property owners. Key survey findings include:
• Willingness to Pay:
o 21% (3 out of 14) of respondents indicated a willingness to pay an additional
fixed PID assessment; 79% (11 out of 14) opposed
May 16,2025 Report No. 2025-048
• Priority Services for PID funding:
Ranked by importance:
1. Safety and Security
2. Cleanliness and Maintenance
3. Public Improvements
■ Additional services included Administration, Marketing, and
Amenities/Facilities
• Examples of High-Priority Needs:
o Addressing homelessness
o Enhanced street and sidewalk lighting
o Sidewalk and trash receptacle cleanliness
• Additional Suggested Improvements:
o Parking solutions (e.g. remote lot shuttles, trolley service, 2-hour parking
enforcement)
o Road and sidewalk repairs
• Support for Downtown Ambassador Program:
o 36% (5 out of 14) in favor; 64% (9 out of 14) opposed
Property owners appreciated the opportunity to provide feedback. Staff committed to further
engagement, including follow-up meetings and one-on-one discussions to collect additional
input.
April 29, 2025: Staff conducted a follow-up meeting to review:
• Survey Results
• Existing City Services (e.g., landscaping and maintenance by Parks and Recreation)
• Potential PID-funded enhancements such as safety, signage, wayfinding,public art,
beautification, and pedestrian zone activations.
Staff communicated to property owners that General Fund dollars for the Downtown
Ambassador Pilot Program would be fully expended December 2025, and the program will end.
Property owners were informed of the anticipated impact to services downtown upon
discontinuation of the pilot program, as outlined in the below table (Figure 1).
May 16,2025 Report No. 2025-048
Impact to Services
Service Type
Continued with Some Change Discontinued
Power Washing Less frequent/slower response anticipated
Clean Graffiti Removal Less frequent/slower response anticipated
Downtown Litter Removal&Trash Bin Less frequent/slower response anticipated
Hazardous Clean-up Less frequent/slower response anticipated
Safety Escorts Discontinued
Motorist Assistance Discontinued
Safe
Downtown Homeless Referrals Less frequent/slower response anticipated
Daily Business De-escalation
Discontinued
Support
Greeting Downtown Visitors Discontinued
More Vibrant Business Engagement Continued by Main Street Program Manager
Downtown
Wayfinding&Recommendations Via signage and by request at Discover
Denton
Figure 1:Anticipated Impact to Services Downtown Beginning January 2026
Eighteen downtown property owners attended the meeting, and ten of the attendees participated in
a real-time poll gaging support or opposition to the PID. Final polling from this session showed:
• Overall PID Support
o The majority(9 out of 10) do not currently support establishing a PID.
• Ambassador Program Support
o All ten property owners who voted in the live poll would support the program at a
reduced service level and cost through alternate funding sources.
CONCLUSION:
Based on feedback and the general consensus from Downtown property owners, gathered through
survey responses and in-person meetings, staff does not recommend moving forward with the
establishment of a Downtown Public Improvement District at this time, as the PID must be
property owner driven. Without an alternate funding source secured, the Downtown Ambassador
Pilot Program will conclude in December 2025.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Downtown Denton Ambassador Pilot Program Boundary
2. Proposed Downtown Public Improvement Boundary
May 16, 2025 Report No. 2025-048
STAFF CONTACT:
Kristen Pulido
Office of Economic Development
Main Street Program Manager
Kristen.Pulido(&,,cityofdenton.com
(940) 349-7531
Courtney Douangdara
Deputy Director of Community Services
Courtney.Douan dg ara(d),cityofdenton.com
(940) 349-7235
REOUESTOR: Staff Initiated
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT: 3hrs
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: Community Services and Economic Development
May 16,2025 Report No. 2025-048
Attachment 1
Downtown Denton Ambassador Pilot Program Boundary
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May 16,2025 Report No. 2025-048
Attachment 2
Proposed Downtown Public Improvement District Boundary
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