Public Hearing on Funding For Rochester’s Thursdays Downtown
Rochester, MN ( KROC-AM News ) - The Rochester City Council will hold a public hearing this evening concerning plans to renew and extend the mechanism used to fund Thursdays Downtown and the list of other events held throughout the year in downtown Rochester .
The Downtown Special Services District was originally created in 2005 to provide revenue to support the activities of the Rochester Downtown Alliance . The district was renewed and extended in 2009 and 2015. It is now up for a renewal this year that would extend it through the end of 2034.
The commercial and industrial properties that fall within the Downtown Special Service District pay a special charge in addition to property taxes to support the mission of the RDA, which includes marketing the downtown area, as well as organizing and supporting the long list of events, programs, and musical performances that include Thursdays Downtown and Social Ice . The special levy was increased in 2015 from 4 to 8%.
Under state law, the City Council must receive a petition signed by property owners representing at least 25% of the land area included in the special district before considering a renewal. A petition that will be presented to the City Council this evening represents over 61% of the net tax capacity and close to 50% of the land area within the Downtown Special Service District.
There is a process available for property owners within the land area who wish to be excluded from the district and from paying the special charge. It requires the property owner to submit a written objection, which would be subject to a vote by the City Council that could be appealed to the courts.
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