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Petition Drive Nearing Completion For Rhinelander Downtown BID

WXPR

Business owners petitioning to disband Rhinelander's downtown Business Improvement District are nearing a trigger point that could mean the end of the district.

Downtown Rhinelander, Inc. began in 2006 as a majority of business owners were concerned the cash-strapped city government wanted to sell downtown parking lots and agreed to an extra assessment. Board President Dan Kuzlik says a few business owners have a large portion of the district. He  says for every dollar invested, $13 dollars return. He says each year, about 19,000 people come to the downtown during events.

"....in 2006, there were over 30 vacancies on the street level of downtown Rhinelander within the BID, now there are 15 so we've decreased that vacancy by 50 percent...."

One of petitioners is Jerry Shidell. A Libertarian, Shidell says he doesn't want to be forced to be in the district. He says the drive is finding support...

"...but we are getting to the point where  we are about 80 percent there at this stage...."

Should the petitioners get the signatures of businesses totaling 20 million dollars in valuation, the petition is  presented to the city. Within 30 days, the city will hold a meeting to review the petition. If it is valid, the petition is presented to the full city council, and state statutes say the council must approved the dissolving of the district. Kuzlik notes if that meeting happens, it also presents supporters an opportunity to get petitioners who signed to change their minds and end the petition.  Kuzlik says for all practical purposes DRI likely would end without the BID district assessment.

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