They seemed to be getting close. Last May, it was hoped that there would be enough support among Capitol Hill property owners to create the Capitol Hill Improvement District (CHID), a self-taxing entity that would raise money to address various issues that adversely affect the Hill's business district.
It hasn't happened yet. But the idea, which first gathered a little momentum more than three years ago under the Broadway Business Improvement Association banner, is not going away. According to Chip Ragen, who heads up the CHID steering committee, the organizers were once hopeful that the CHID will be in place by the end of the year. Logistical issues have rendered that goal optimistic. But Ragen is more than optimistic that a CHID will be created in 2006.
"There is great interest in improving the economic and safety climate on Broadway, and most property owners agree, at least in principal, with the idea of creating an improvement district," he said. "Very few owners oppose the basic idea."
The Seattle City Council, which needs to approve the measure, requires that 60 percent of the property owners, based on the value of their property, must sign on, meaning the larger property owners carry more statistical weight than the smaller ones. If established, the CHID would generate roughly $450,000 a year, the majority of which would be spent on security and maintenance. Such money could be used on graffiti removal or hiring extra police bicycle patrols.
The district covers the area along Broadway from East Roy to Union streets, and on Pike and Pine streets from Melrose to 15th avenues.
According to David Schraer, a consultant brought on board to work on the petition effort, the large number of owners, and different kinds of owners, makes getting enough signatories particularly difficult.
"The process of making a decision has held the project up. It's a five-year commitment, and some owners are understandably wary of that. Some owners want to see how many other owners have signed the petition before they will," Schraer said.
There are nearly 300 different business properties within the proposed assessment district, and roughly 250 different property owners. Some owners reside out of state, others may pay little attention to their properties, while others are actively involved and actively concerned with making improvements to the Capitol Hill business district.
But such variety, Schraer said, makes it less likely that property owners are able to speak with one voice. It is hoped that a greater sense of unity, even community, will result if and when the CHID gets up and running.
One group of owners typically interested in signing the petition are those who have bought property recently and are already intent on developing it. Schraer did a recent survey and learned that more than $400 million of development being directed within the coverage area the CHID would serve. Included are projects already under way, such as the Walgreens/Capitol Hill Housing project on Broadway and East Pine Street and the large Braeburn project on 14th Avenue and East Pine Street. Also included are projects that will undergo substantial renovation, as well as projects that have yet to begin but are in the design or permitting process, such as the mixed-use project on the old Safeway site at the north end of Broadway.
"Learning there was so much development activity was something of a watershed moment for us," said Schraer. "New developers look at their projects, and the future of their projects, differently. Developers buying into a business district are going to want to support that district. It's fascinating seeing this subtle transition of opportunities with the new developments."
Ragen pointed out another benefit of creating CHID will be the ability to present more of a unified front to City Hall. Particularly since last year's demise of the Capitol Hill Community Council, the Hill has lacked an umbrella business organization that can interact with city government. Part of the money CHID would generate would go to hiring a full-time staff person who would be able to work on issues important the Capitol Hill businesses. As an example of what's needed, during the last few years of the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce's existence the organization lacked any paid staff.
"Creating the business district would allow the Hill to put forward a singular strategy to project to the city," said Schraer. "The city is looking for groups to partner with."
In the meantime, Schraer works to bring owners on board, sending out petitions to be signed and following up with reminders to encourage putting pen on the dotted line. As comparison, the downtown's Metropolitan Improvement District, which serves as a model for CHID, took two years to get passed. Schraer understands that the process takes time and a great deal of individual contact.
"The CHID is not a tangible, physical thing to promote," he said. "And not all business owners know each other, so there might not be a great deal of discussion between owners beyond a core group that has already signed the petition."
"We have a unique opportunity to help organize property owners to see what we can do together in a way we haven't seen from the larger Hill neighborhood on its own. The CHID would bring an injection of energy from a group of people with considerable financial resources," said Ragen.
Doug Schwartz is the editor of the Capitol Hill Times. He can be reached at editor@capitolhilltimes.com or 461-1308.
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