BID opponents plan public forums, try to develop alternatives

Posted on — David Forbes

Full announcement from StopAVLBID:

July 20th, 2012 – The first of three public forums will be held at Cinjades on July 26th at 5:30pm by StopAVLBID, a community network opposed to the business improvement district (BID) currently under consideration by city staff. Organizers plan to host a diverse range of participants, including many who have been marginalized by the BID development process, to create an alternative proposal that is collaborative, transparent and creative.

On June 5th, StopAVLBID hosted a forum at the Pack Memorial Library which was attended by approximately 50 people. This forum sought to answer the question, “How will a BID impact our community?” The three upcoming forums will build on this conversation while shifting focus away from the BID and onto alternative development models. Participants are invited to help paint a picture of our city’s overlapping communities and their diverse needs. Additional gatherings will continue the process in mid-August and early-September.

All are welcome. Light snacks, Spanish interpretation services and childcare will be provided on site for participants, free of charge.

StopAVLBID is an ad hoc community network formed in May of 2012 to oppose the creation of a business improvement district (BID) in downtown Asheville, NC. In addition to rejecting the proposed privatization of public space, members of StopAVLBID advocate for a community-based planning process that is collaborative, transparent and creative.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit http://stopavlbid.wordpress.com. To schedule an interview with members of StopAVLBID, please call Libertie Valance at (828) 333-4683 or email libertie@firestormcafe.com.

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0 thoughts on “BID opponents plan public forums, try to develop alternatives”

  1. timothypeck

    1. My reading of the legal authority for a BID tells me that the BID is entirely a creature of government and should be subject to open meetings laws, public comment and local government oversight, similar to the now-defunct URTV…

    2. What are the key objections to the voluntary association of stakeholders for creating an independent organization with the same mission and purview as the BID?…

    http://timpeck.blogspot.com/2012/07/business-improvement-district.html

    ……………………

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