Boards & Commissions

Downtown Spokane Parking and Business Improvement Area

Authorized by and Date: Chapter 35.87A RCW and Chapter 4.31 SMC. Approved by Ordinance C32923, on June 5, 1995, and reestablished by Ordinance C32923, on November 12, 2001.

Mission Statement/Purpose: The Downtown Spokane Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA), commonly referred to as the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID), is a self-taxing financing mechanism which supports economic development and neighborhood revitalization. By coordinating the cooperation of merchants, businesses, and residential property owners in the pursuit of economic development, the Downtown BID actively works to make downtown the center for commerce, culture, and living in the Intermountain Northwest.

The Downtown BID is managed by the Downtown Spokane Partnership. You can find information on BID programs and more on the Downtown Spokane Partnership website. As the administrator, the Downtown Spokane Partnership is directed by the Ratepayer Advisory Board, made up of property owners and businesses from the business improvement district.

Downtown Ratepayer Advisory Board

For a full list of the Ratepayer Advisory Board (RAB) members, visit the RAB webpage. To learn more about board member terms and requirements, please visit the RAB application webpage or contact Andrew Rolwes, DSP Vice President.

Meeting Information

Date: 4th Wednesday of March, May, July, September, and November. View the calendar. A special meeting in December will be publicly posted.
Time: 8:30 – 10 a.m., Pacific Time
Location: Public Facilities District, 720 W. Mallon Avenue
Annual Ratepayer Meeting: February 22, 2024. Notice for this special meeting will be publicly posted.

What is a Parking and Business Improvement Area?

A parking and business improvement area (PBIA) is a local funding mechanism that allows business owners within a defined area to establish a special assessment district. The establishment and use of PBIA is authorized under State Law – Chapter 35.87A RCW. Funds raised can be used to provide management, services, facilities, and programs to the district. The goal of PBIAs is to aid general economic development and to facilitate merchant and business cooperation.

Activities are financed through a special assessment that is imposed on businesses, multifamily residential developments, and mixed-use developments located within the geographic boundaries of the PBIA. The assessments can be used to finance:

• construction, acquisition, or maintenance of parking facilities in the area
• decoration of public areas
• promotion of public events in public places in the area
• furnishing of music in any public place in the area
• provision of maintenance and security of common public areas
• management, planning, and promotion of the area, including the promotion of retail activities in the area

Management Plans

No recent agendas or minutes found.