B-SB joins BID, a major step toward a Butte business improvement district (2024)

Butte-Silver Bow County has opted into a proposed business improvement district in Uptown Butte, adding 42 county-owned parcels to the effort in one fell swoop.

More than a dozen business owners and residents urged commissioners to buy into the plan Wednesday night and after a 90-minute discussion, the council did so on an 11-0 vote.

“I think this is an enormous move for our community and I think it would be so beneficial, not only to Uptown business owners but to the entire community,” said Commissioner Hattie Thatcher.

The business improvement district, or BID, would generate about $212,000 annually that could be spent on maintenance, security, promotions, landscaping or other improvements in a 30-block section of Butte’s business district Uptown.

The county’s portion would be about $45,000 annually, with the rest coming from mostly business and commercial property owners who essentially tax themselves to fund enhancements.

The district would encompass the largely commercial center of Uptown Butte, from roughly Mercury Street on the south end to Copper Street at the north and from Washington Street on the west to Arizona Steet on the east. It would include central sections of Broadway, Park and Granite streets.

Getting the county to join Wednesday night was a major step, but organizers still have more persuading to do.

Under Montana law, owners of more than 60% of the property area must support a district for one to be established.

There are about 250 parcels in the proposed Butte district owned by about 150 different people — some owning multiple parcels. Organizers need 150 parcels to meet the 60% threshold and came into Wednesday night with 84.

The move by commissioners added 42 parcels, bringing the total so far to 126. That means owners of at least 24 more parcels must sign petitions agreeing to join and pay annual assessments under a set formula.

Under the proposal, each owner would pay a flat $150 fee plus 0.03% of the property’s square footage plus 0.1% of the property’s taxable value. The formula would generate from $200,000 to $215,000 annually.

If a BID is established, a board of business owners would oversee the district and make final spending decisions.

Shanna Adams, a co-owner of the Hotel Finlen who has been spearheading the BID effort, said organizers hope to get the remaining needed signatures in the next few weeks.

There is no hard statutory deadline for gathering signatures, but proponents would like to get a BID established by this fall.

All of Montana’s other larger cities — Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell and Bozeman — have BIDs and some have been in place for decades.

BID money can be used for crosswalks and streetscaping, pressure washing sidewalks, additional snow removal, paying for extra security, marketing and promotional efforts and numerous other things.

More than a dozen people spoke in favor of the plan at the start of Wednesday’s council meeting. They included business owners, officials from Montana Technological University and the Butte Local Development Corp.

Shelly Connor, owner of Gloss, The Green Beauty Counter, said she and many others “want and need to see positive change” and a BID would deliver that.

“It will provide resources to work on safety, walkability, beautification and economic development initiatives to improve and enhance the district,” Connor said. “These are integral for business recruitment, commercial investment and development this community needs to be successful.”

John Wick, who owns 5518 Designs with his wife, Cassie, said Uptown is the “heart and soul of what makes our community amazing.”

“If you choose to opt in, the BID becomes a tool for economic growth, enhanced safety and aesthetics and a collective voice — our voice — leading to a stronger sense of pride and community,” Wick said.

If enough petition signatures are collected, commissioners would still need to give final authorization to a BID, a likely scenario given the council’s support Wednesday night.