§ 1-2. Findings.

(a) In general.

The following findings are critical to the exercise of the authority set forth in Article II, § (61) of the Charter of Baltimore.

(b) Importance of Downtown.

(1) The downtown or central business district ("CBD") of the City of Baltimore is the center of employment for the entire metropolitan region and is the source for a very substantial portion of all jobs within the City.

(2) The CBD is also the center for tourism for the entire State of Maryland, having within its boundaries some of the most popular attractions in the country.

(3) The CBD is an important part of the tax base of the City, contributing taxes totally disproportionate to the relative area involved.

(4) The CBD is a vital link to the long-term health of the City and the focus of critical decisions as to the source of employment for the future.

(c) Problems facing CBD.

(1) While an undeniable asset to the region, the CBD is very dependent on public perception regarding safety and cleanliness.

(2) Studies conducted by a task force of the Partnership have identified the existence of significant concern among CBD residents and workers of being a victim of crime, despite statistics indicating that the CBD is as safe or safer than other parts of the City.

(3) Because of the high influx of workers and visitors, the CBD is likely to generate higher amounts of trash, litter, and graffiti than other parts of the City.

(4) In order to maintain the CBD as an attractive destination for visitors, there need to be efforts made to improve the perceptions regarding safety and cleanliness.

(5) Traditional sources of funding, enhancing public services, are no longer available, and a variety of financial crises have suggested that future funding from existing sources will become ever more difficult.

(d) Concept of Special Benefit District.

(1) A special benefit district is a mechanism by which property owners within a defined area can agree to impose additional taxes and charges on themselves in order to provide enhanced and supplemental public services.

(2) Special benefit districts have been created in numerous cities across the country, and the reports received suggest that they are almost uniformly highly successful in achieving their objectives.

(3) Critical to any special benefit district is the creation of a partnership between the public and private sector, with the public sector committing to maintain services at specified levels and the private sector agreeing to accept new taxes and charges for the purpose of supplementing public services.

(4) A district in this City cannot be successful without the full cooperation of the City, the State of Maryland, and the various private property owners within that district.

(e) Considerations.

(1) The Council has considered the materials compiled by the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, Inc., regarding the alternatives to the creation of a district and the pattern of success for such districts elsewhere.

(2) The Council has considered the comments and suggestions of property owners, retail merchants, hotel and motel operators and owners, property tenants, and workers in the CBD.

(3) The Council finds that a special benefit district of the kind authorized by the Enabling Legislation would be an important and vital element of the long-term health and growth of the CBD, the City, and the region.

(4) Although 1 or more districts would be of great value throughout the CBD, the district created herein will be a significant start towards achieving the goals and objectives outlined above.

(5) Since 1982, the Partnership has been responsible for the management and operation of ever-increasing parts of the CBD, and has demonstrated its ability to deal with the kinds of problems such a district needs to address.

(6) The City should not burden a district with unnecessary layers of administration, nor should the City deny itself the benefit of the experience and expertise acquired by the Partnership.

(7) The Council finds that the existing system of assessments, appeals, and adjustments for vacancies on income-producing properties adequately addresses the concerns raised in the Enabling Legislation.

(8) The Council finds that an assessment system for a district should be uncomplicated, direct, and fair. The system provided for in this subtitle satisfies such criteria.

(9) The Council finds that the district should encourage the involvement of minorities in the operation of the district and in the business community itself.