Business Improvement Area Formation
A business improvement area (BIA) is a special assessment district established to maintain and enhance a neighborhood, building a positive reputation that attracts new business, residents, customers and visitors. Designed as a self-help mechanism, property owners come together to fund safety, cleaning, economic development, and advocacy efforts for the mutual benefit of the neighborhood.
Vision
A BIA would invest in needed solutions today for safety, cleaning, parking, and business growth while leveraging other community resources and the coming regional investment of light rail to build a vibrant neighborhood of economic opportunity over the next 30 years.
Benefits
Public Safety
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Address property and drug crimes through an eyes-on-the streets approach of District Ambassadors, up to 16 hours per day, seven days per week.
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Serve as intermediary between property owners, businesses, policy, and people who are homeless or mentally ill to connect them with housing, social, health, and workforce services.
Cleaning
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Regular removal of litter from sidewalks and public right-of-way.
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On-call removal of major trash piles, needles, human waste, and graffiti.
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Coordinated program for removal of pallets.
Build Environment Program
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Advocate for on-street parking limits that support needs of local businesses.
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Support parking enforcement against repeat offenders.
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Develop a shared vision for transportation, housing, and jobs and advocate to local and state governments for investments.
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Consistently represent and advocate on behalf of district businesses, properties, and residents.
Neighborhood Marketing, Business Development,
and Economic Development
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Business recruitment and economic development consistent with neighborhood vision.
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Marketing and promotion of the neighborhood.
Accountability
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Ratepayer Advisory Board that approves annual budget.
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Annual reporting using performance-based metrics.
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Annual ratepayer meeting.
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Sunsets after 5 years, requiring city council renewal.
Learn more
Are you a property owner who would like to learn more about how a business improvement area could benefit you?
Contact Brock Howell, brock@everettstationdistrict.com

Boundary subject to change, depending on support within the neighborhood and council decision-making.
Work Plan PDF
At the 2019 Annual Membership Meeting, the Alliance adopted its 2020 budget that will implement this work plan for the BIA in 2020. The budget in this updated work plan reflects a Feb. 6 start date to the BIA.
Updated BIA Budget PDF
The BIA's proposed budget has been updated to an April 16 start date.
Overhead Cost Explainer PDF
The ESDA BIA's budgeted overhead costs are 10%, which is significantly lower than other BIAs, including the Downtown Everett Association.