What is a Special Improvement District (SID)?
A Special Improvement District (SID) is a private, not-for-profit organization established under state law. A SID is a mechanism through which property owners assess themselves to provide funding for extended services aimed at the economic enhancement of the area. The need for such services has arisen as traditional U.S. cities have faced competition from shopping malls, out-of-town business/shopping centers and other new business districts. The experience of more than 1,000 existing SIDs throughout the United States has demonstrated the effectiveness of this mechanism in addressing the present economic and social challenges of urban development.
What is the SID Services Plan?
The DCID Services Plan outlines the services and activities to be funded by the assessment paid by the property owners in the District. These services can be changed at each new term to meet the changing needs of the District. The DCID Services Plan outlines the services and activities to be funded by the assessment paid by the property owners in the District. The first DCI Services Plan was approved in 1997 by a majority of owners and outlined the activities funded from 1998-2001. The Services Plan has since been renewed six times, for the years 2002-2005, 2006-2009, 2010-2013, 2014-2017, 2018-2021, and 2022-2025. Owners choose to renew the Services Plan for the next term and may revise the services and the budget to meet the changing needs of the District.
Does everyone in the District have to pay the assessment?
If the owners representing 60% of the front footage in the District sign the enclosed petition, then everyone owning private property in the District will receive an assessment for their required portion. Public property – including any church property, or property of the federal or state government or a county, township, or municipal corporation – is exempt, unless the entity specifically requests that the property be included within the district, or unless the church is a member of the existing qualified nonprofit corporation creating the district at the time the district is created.
How will I pay the assessment?
District assessments will be collected by the Hamilton County Auditor’s Office. Notification that your assessment is due will appear as part of your semi-annual property tax bill.
What safeguards exist to ensure property owners benefit from the services?
The assessment term is five years and its renewal is determined by the property owners of the District.
The property owners of the District elect their own board of trustees, individuals who own property or represent property owners within the District. Elections are held every five years to coincide with the start of a new Services Plan. This elected board of trustees is responsible for the governance of DCID – more specifically, for ensuring the Services Plan is being executed by the Service Provider. Owners may appeal to their board of trustees regarding any issue in the District. The board will make every effort to address the legitimate concerns of all property owners. In the event that a majority of property owners believe the District is not providing sufficient benefit, state statute provides a mechanism for the District to be terminated at any time.
How is the assessment calculated?
By state statute, the special improvement district assessment must be apportioned equitably among all property owners within the service delivery area. Within the Downtown Cincinnati Improvement District, plans call for 75% of the cost to be based upon the assessed value of your property, and 25% according to its front footage. Front footage, as defined by Ohio Revised Code 1710.01, is all real property located in the District that abuts upon any street, alley, public road, place, boulevard, parkway, park entrance, easement, or other existing public improvement within the District. The formula equally distributes the burden among large and small properties.
What is the different between the Downtown Cincinnati Improvement District and the OTR South Special Improvement District?
Both the Downtown Cincinnati Improvement District (DCID) and OTR South Special Improvement District (OTR South SID) are Special Improvement Districts (SIDs).
The Downtown Cincinnati Improvement District (DCID) includes all property within the boundaries of Eggleston Avenue on the east Central Parkway on the north, Central Avenue on the west and the Ohio River on the south (excluding Great American Ballpark and Paul Brown Stadium).
The OTR South SID focuses on properties in the southern portion of OTR, spanning from Central Parkway on the west and south, to Liberty Street to the north and Broadway Street to the east.
How can I stay up to date with all the events happening Downtown?
Signing up for our “This Week Downtown” email is a great way to get the latest Downtown Cincinnati events delivered straight to your Inbox. The email is sent out every Thursday morning and provides information on all the exciting happenings taking place in the center city in the upcoming week.
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