Esther E. Manheimer Mayor at City of Asheville | Official website
Esther E. Manheimer Mayor at City of Asheville | Official website
The City of Asheville is progressing with the development of its Downtown Business Improvement District (BID). City staff are in contract negotiations with the highest-ranking proposal from a competitive process to find a service provider. A public hearing will be held during the City Council meeting on January 14, 2025. At this meeting, the Council will consider authorizing staff to finalize the contract.
The selection process began on September 20, when city staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to find a qualified operator for the BID. The RFP outlined service priorities based on City Council objectives and community feedback collected in July and August 2024.
Hurricane Helene caused an extension of the initial RFP deadline to November 13, 2024. Two proposals were received and evaluated by an eight-member committee consisting of city staff and a downtown commission representative.
If approved by the City Council on January 14, BID services are expected to begin early in 2025. The first quarterly progress report from the operator is anticipated in Spring 2025.
According to state requirements, services must be provided or contracted within one year after establishing the district, which should be completed by June 30, 2025.
For more details about the Downtown Business Improvement District or updates on its implementation, visit the project page.
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