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Janesville BID task force members address concerns about the proposal

Some downtown Janesville business owners are expressing concern that if they oppose the Business Improvement District, or BID, proposal they'll lose business from supporters of the BID. BID task force member Larry Squire says they shouldn't worry.

"I've heard nothing from anybody from the city, I've heard nothing from anyone who's on the BID task force, I've heard nothing from anyone I've talked to that said they would use the criteria of someone supporting or opposing the bid as a portion of how or who they do business with," Squire says.

But BID task force chair Chad Karl says it's a possibility.

"There's probably some business owners who would lose business if they did oppose it," says Karl. "In essence, what they're saying is that they don't want the downtown to grow anymore."

If the city adopts the BID, 183 properties in the downtown area will be assessed $2.80 per $1,000 of assessed value. The assessments have a $275 minimum and $3500 maximum. The assessments help fund downtown revitalization projects intended to stimulate economic growth. The city's plan commission holds a public hearing on the BID Monday. The plan commission must adopt the operating plan in order for the BID to move forward to the city council.

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