LA MESA COUNCIL HEARS SPIRITED DISCUSSION ON PBID

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By Miriam Raftery

December 15, 2011 (La Mesa) – Emotions ran high as advocates and opponents of a Planned Business Improvement District (PBID) presented their views before the La Mesa City Council last night.

Among those who spoke, supporters outnumbered opponents by about two to one, arguing that a PBID is crucial for revitalization of downtown as the city approaches its centennial next year. 

But what opponents lacked in numbers, they made up for in the strength of their convictions.

“I’ve become absolutely convinced that a La Mesa PBID would bea valuable tool to help transform the Village into the type of destination that attracts visitors and shoppers,” said PBID Formation Committee Chairman Lynn McRea.

Other supporters included Auerbach Realty Group, which owns the La Mesa Springs Shopping Center, realtor David Woodson, and Shannon O’Dunn, owner of O’Dunn Fine Art Gallery.

“My rent may go up, and that’s fine with me,” said O’Dunn, who believes the PBID is crucial for the revitalization of downtown. The gallery owner disclosed that she was recently “recruited” by Liberty Station in San Diego to move her gallery, but turned them down. “I’m not leaving, because I love La Mesa,” she said.

But owners of some small businesses voiced strenuous opposition. Deena While, owner of the Readers Inc. bookstore, expressed concern over imposing assessments on Mom and Pop retailers already struggling in a sluggish economy.

A tenant read aloud a letter from her property owner, who owns several addresses and claimed he was never formally informed of the PBID and learned of it indirectly through his renter.

Cynthia Stein, owner of the Galleria, an antique and consignment shop, said she moved her business out of El Cajon because of its PBID and questioned marketing figures in the budget. “What if this budget can’t be achieved?” she said of a $375,000 proposed budget.

Bill Jaynes, owner of All Things Bright and British, felt the process had not been sufficiently open.  He also objected to the city’s inclusion in the PBID assessment district, a factor which leaves the city wearing two hats. While it’s common for city’s to have a stake as property holders in a PBID, it can also create potential for a conflict of interest, some contend.

Craig Maxwell, owner of Maxwell’s House of Books, contended that the PBID “will destroy the Village as we know it” and accused Mayor Art Madrid of instigating the PBID effort. his voice modulated between civility, anger, and trepidation.

Madrid and others, however, contend that the city’s historic village is sorely overdo for needed upgrades to attract more businesses. He suggested that some opponents have engaged in “misinformation.”

A representative of the Congregational Church in downtown La Mesa argued that churches should be exempted from assessment if the PBID is approved, after which the consultant explained that anyone exempted could find their property skipped over for services provided by the PBID, such as added security. (The City would continue to provide a baseline of security and other services such as tree trimming, if the PBID wins approval, with the PBID augmenting the level of services provided.)

The next step will be a petition phase. If the majority of downtown property owners included within the PBID district vote to approve formation of a PBID, La Mesa’s City Council will then vote on whether a formal balloting process will occur. A public meeting will be held for community input before a final vote. 

Votes will be weighted based on property size, with larger property owners having a greater voice.  Assessment amounts for the PBID would also be based on size of the property, as well as location within the PBID assessment district.

 


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