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| CAD In The News
Friday, August 10, 2007
Columbia Art District seeks state OK
BY ANDREA GOODELL, The Holland Sentinel
Recognition from the state could mean money and development for the Columbia Art District.
"It taps us into state resources," said City Neighborhood Commercial Coordinator Tina Perry, referring not only to grant opportunities, but to the people and information the state makes available to state-designated districts.
Getting there, however, is a slow process.
First, the Holland City Council would have to approve a resolution of its intent to form a Columbia Art District authority.
The item is not on next week's agenda, but Perry and those in the district are hoping to hear the city's decision within the next month.
Thirty days after city approval, a public hearing would allow for input. The Michigan Corridor Improvement Act created in 2005, which allows this type of district, also requires a 60-day comment period.
This would be only the second corridor improvement district in the state. Other commercial-residential districts in Holland could be candidates later, Perry said.
The earliest anything could be official is November, she said.
The authority would do the same for the Columbia Art District that the Downtown Development Authority does for downtown -- help create development.
The official designation wouldn't allow the proposed authority to levy taxes like the downtown authority, but it would allow it to capture tax revenue through tax increment financing.
It would also be eligible to apply for Michigan MainStreet designation. And businesses in the district would be eligible for liquor licenses.
"If the neighborhood wants to get involved, that's 50 percent of the battle," said City Manager Soren Wolff.
District businesses have banded together and are planning a street party Sept. 22 as well as selling engraved bricks to raise money for improvements there.
"(State designation) certainly would provide financial incentive for someone who wanted to invest in this area," said Tom Murdoch of Murdoch Marketing, which has its office in the district. "I think the metamorphosis of the district speaks to the community's ability to retool its character."
The district is also seeking official nonprofit status. That would release the organization from tax obligations, but not much else, Perry said.
To get the state designation, the district would have to alter its boundaries slightly from the east side of Columbia, 14th to 24th, and the west side of Columbia, between 17th and 15th streets. Only some of the district would be eligible under the state designation.
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