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.

Economic Development

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