Council will consider asking city staff to begin the process to expand the boundary of the Downtown Cambridge Business Improvement Area this week.
Established in 1976 to encompass businesses in five blocks between Bruce and Thorne streets, and upper Main and Water streets, the BIA began consulting city staff on the process to expand back in 2019.
In March of 2023, the BIA's board of directors passed a motion to begin the process to expand the boundary to include the entirety of Galt's core. The board's motion was reinforced last week after city staff finalized its map of the proposed expanded BIA.
The proposed boundary would stretch the scope of the BIA across the river to George Street, capturing the Cambridge Mill property and Park Hill Road East to the north, and Concession Street to the south.
A report from staff coming to Tuesday's council meeting says the the request for expansion "is seeded in a desire to continue enhancing the vibrancy of the Downtown Galt area of Cambridge."
Businesses in the BIA pay an annual levy for membership that provides "an enhanced level of service, including beautification, marketing and engagement."
Expanding the boundary in Galt would impact all businesses in the new scope of the BIA but it could also "place additional pressure" on the city's tax base since beautification projects, core revitalization and other efforts are covered in part by city budgets.
Businesses located within BIAs typically benefit from promotions, events and other marketing campaigns highlighting the area as a business or shopping destination.
But not all businesses within BIAs view the enhancements the same way.
That's why expanding the boundary is a lengthy process that requires council to enact a bylaw and provide notice to affected businesses, giving them an opportunity to object if they don't support the expansion.
Once that requirement is met, staff will provide further details to council related to cost analysis and service delivery to the proposed expanded area.
That report is expected to return to council in two months, followed by additional consultation with staff in preparation for a summary report to council by early 2025.
Staff say that report will outline a proposal to review current practices and processes and identify new strategies to enhance collaboration between the City of Cambridge and its three BIAs.
