Big thanks to our intern from the McGeorge School of Law, Jacob Benitez, for this write-up! Read a little more about Jacob at this page.
Update!
On July 26, 2022 the Sacramento City Council voted to pass the Greater Broadway Property and Business Improvement project.
The PBID is back and is seeking renewal for the next 10 years.
Remember that the PBID renewed in 2012 for 10 years. Well it now seeks renewal again. The current term expires December 31, 2022. The PBID is tasked with the “revitalization” of central business districts. This item was up for discussion at the 5/31/2 Sac County meeting.
What are PBID projects? (if you want to know even more, read this previous piece from us on the sketchy-ness that is PBIDs)
The PBID, AKA a Property and Business Improvement District, projects work within a defined area and fund programs in the form of housing structures over a period of time.
What do these projects look like?
These projects are intended to "improve" property-based businesses in the area. The PBID plan states that security, homeless outreach, maintenance services, beautification, economic development, and communication services would be increased.
This sounds like a good thing that would benefit any neighborhood right?
Well, it turns out, that the more you dig the more questions are raised...
So what's really going on?
Location, Location, Location! (it's important)
This project borders Districts 4 and 7 in the Land park area as shown below.
This area is not an area of Sacramento in that most needs this type of project. This project, if true as told, would better benefit lower income areas such District 2.
Why aren’t these projects, that are designed to increase security and improve issues regarding homelessness, catered towards the areas that need it most?
AND
What kind of money are we talking about?
The total District assessment budget for the first year of the renewed term would be approximately $451,101
The text above is taken from the agenda document, and it essentially means that the amount of taxes collected during the first year is estimated at $451,101 - meaning that would be the amount of money available to tackle the aforementioned "improvement" projects. The money would be shared amongst 419 parcels of land.
Ultimately, $451,101over 419 parcels is not a lot of money. Especially if you want to solve the problems the project seeks to solve. What needs to happen is that similar projects with the same goals need to be implemented in the communities that truly need them. In District 2, for example, there are areas with no sidewalks for children to walk to school on, and roads with no working street lights at night, to name a couple of problems.
Community beautification should start with communities that need it the most.
Revitalizing communities is good but Sacramento must focus on alleviating the problems in lower income neighborhoods that have existed for too long.
Who benefits?
It is unclear who benefits from the money or what exactly the money is being used for. More questioning and uncovering is needed to fully understand what is going on with this project.
The resolution passed, and the schedule of the renewal proceedings is attached below.
