Officials Working to Get Benefit District Up and Running

Officials are continuing work on the recently-approved Community Benefit District, which they hope will bring many needed improvements to downtown Arcadia.

The Community Benefit District  was approved in August of 2013 after downtown Arcadia business owners had spent several years prior in planning to create a group that could make the area more attractive to, not only shoppers, but potential tenants. Downtown business owner want to make the downtown a "destination."

The CBD hopes to bring organization and funding to downtown Arcadia through assessments on downtown property owners.

The first infusion of funds is expected to come in, at the latest, January of 2014.

The taxing entity was approved a few weeks ago and persons interested in becoming the first steering committee also recently met, said Scott Hettrick, Arcadia Chamber of Commerce CEO.

According to city documents, the CBD could raise $117,000, which would be used in the effort to market and promote the downtown area. The funding would also be used to hold special events, tenant recruitment and beautification.

Regarding what officials specifically want to do for downtown, Hettrick said everything is still in such an early stage no one has plans.

"We're getting the structure set up. We have to set up the 501 (c)(3) application, we have to set up a board of directors and officers, we have to set up a web site," Hettrick said.

Any decision on the type of project for the downtown area would be decided by a future board of directors and officers, Hettrick said.