economic development evanston chicago-main-dempster ssa

Economic Development

EVANSTONChicago-Main-Dempster SSA

Economic Development

WHAT’S AN SSA?

SSA-funded projects typically include but are not limited to: public way maintenance and beautification; marketing & advertising; business retention/attraction, special events; promotional activities; and other commercial and economic development initiatives.

Special Service Areas are local tax districts that fund expanded services and programs through a localized property tax levy within contiguous areas. The enhanced services and programs are in addition to those currently provided through the City.

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AGENDA

1. Boundaries and tax levy• Map• Pins• Tax levy calculations

2. Budget & implementation• SSA Budget• 5 year implementation plan

3. Governance

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SSA ACTIVITIES TO DATE1. Early 2014 – Local merchants present 60+

signatures in favor of creating SSA2. April 29, 2014 – Council Votes to Hire

Consultants3. November 2014 – steering committee forms

& begins meeting4. Community meetings

• February 3, 2015• February 5, 2015 • March 12, 2015

5. April 27, 2015 - SSA Public Hearing Held

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MAP

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BUDGET

• Public way aesthetic improvements (signage, trash receptacles, landscaping) prioritized for first two years

• Spending drops to maintenance levels in 2018; administration budget grows to allow hiring of staff or contracting out

• Spending on advertising & promotions ramps up in 2017 after aesthetic improvements are completed

• Concentrating on business development activities in 2017-18

2015-

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PINS & TAX LEVY CALCULATION

• Levy calculated at 0.35% for first year

• Tax cap 0.45% for life of SSA

Class PINs 2013 EAV 0.355% Avg. Cost 0.40% Avg Cost

Vacant 10 $366,086 $1,300 $130 $1,464 $146

Residential 4 $378,716 $1,344 $336 $1,515 $379

Mixed Use 52 $14,278,915 $50,690 $975 $57,116 $1,098

Commercial 80 $41,790,814 $148,357 $1,854 $167,163 $2,090

Total 146 $56,814,531 $201,692 $1,381 $227,258 $1,557

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PUBLIC WAY AESTHETICS

• Largest line item during 2016-17• Purchase & installation of signage, landscaping, and holiday

decorations

2015-

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OTHER BUDGET CATEGORIES

2015-

2015-

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OTHER BUDGET CATEGORIES2015 -

2015 -

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GOVERNANCE501(c)(3) Organization, similar to Downtown Evanston & Chicago SSAs• Board elections held at an annual public meeting

(9/3/2015)• Property & business owners will get written notice of

meeting & voting proceduresGoverning board• Main Street Merchants Association Representative (4

seats)• Chicago Dempster Merchants Association Representative

(4 seats)• District resident (1 seat)• Public Works Director or designee (1 non-voting seat)• City Manager or designee (1 non-voting seat)Terms• Voting members can serve no more than 2 consecutive

terms• 5 of the voting seats will have 2 year initial terms• 4 of the voting seats will have 3 year initial terms• After the initial 2-3 years, all terms will be 2 years moving

forward, creating staggered terms

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IMPLEMENTATION AGREEMENT• SSA Organizers requesting an advance of

$100,000 from ED Funds in order to begin aesthetic improvements & holiday activities in 2015-16.

• Funds to be repaid upon collection of the tax levy by Cook County in late 2016

• Effectively spreads first year (2016) budget between 2015 and 2016.

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UPCOMING MEETINGS• June 22 – City Council • July 13 – City Council• September 3 – SSA Kickoff & Board Elections