Are you a property owner or business owner on Franklin Ave? You’ll want to be at this meeting! Come discuss whether SCCA should move forward with creating a Special Services District on Franklin Ave. Public Works staff will be present to answer questions.

Have you taken the Business District Needs Survey yet? Do so ASAP! See link below. The preliminary results will be discussed on Thursday. 
 

Please take 5 minutes to fill out this important survey for SCCA!

Seward Business District Needs Assessment

https://forms.gle/YxHEW4mNzgBszPKr8

History
SCCA received a Great Streets grant to explore the feasibility of creating a Special Service District (SSD) on Franklin Avenue (as well as Cedar Ave just north of Franklin and the northern blocks of Minnehaha Ave). We held our first public meeting on July 30th. This follow up public meeting is a chance for all business and property owners on those blocks to come learn more about what a SSD is, discuss whether Franklin should have one, ask questions, and offer input on what services you’d like to see included.

Note: If you are not the owner of your building, please forward this message to the property owner! We encourage all businesses on Franklin to attend, even if you rent. 

What is a Special Service District? 
A special service district is a defined area within the city where special services are rendered to improve a business district. Once property owners agree on the services they want, a service fee is assessed to all properties annually to fund the services. Special Service Districts may be established anywhere in the city but only business property (i.e., commercial, industrial, utility, or land zoned for commercial or industrial use) will be required to pay the service charge. Exempt properties can opt to pay it to support the SSD.
 
There are currently 16 Special Service Districts (SSD) in Minneapolis, where they’ve been used to improve and revitalize commercial corridors such as East Lake Street, Lyn-Lake, Eat Street and West Broadway. Services and amenities vary greatly per district but usually focus on creating a clean and safe environment where businesses can thrive. Services offered by a SSD go above and beyond standard City services and can include:

• sidewalk and street cleaning
• graffiti removal
• snow removal
• public safety initiatives
• capital improvements (trash receptacles, street lights, planters, etc.)
• banners & signage
• holiday decorations and lights
• landscaping
• marketing

How is it paid for?
A Special Service District allows property owners in a commercial district to collectively assess themselves to fund enhanced services and other improvements. Usually the assessment is charged by linear foot, in this case based on your street frontage on Franklin, and added to your property taxes. For example, $10/linear foot/year. 

Join the Working Group:
If you own property or a business on Franklin Ave and would like to serve on the Franklin SSD Working Group, contact Hillary at info@sewardbusiness.org or call 612-435-0277 for more information.