ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — City officials are in contract negotiations with a service provider for its recently approved Downtown Business Improvement District.

The controversial plan to create a downtown BID in Asheville was approved in June and went into effect in July. Now, the city is looking for a service provider to manage the services and operations of the BID.

SEE AN INTERACTIVE MAP OF THE DISTRICT HERE

City officials are moving forward with contract negotiations with the highest-ranking proposal received as part of a competitive process to identify a service provider, a news release from the city said. A public hearing will be held at the city council meeting on Jan. 14, 2025. This item includes a consideration by the city council to authorize staff to execute the contract.

The selection process

On Sept. 20, city staff launched a competitive Request for Proposals process to seek a qualified operator/service provider to implement defined services and objectives directed for the BID. The service priorities outlined in the RFP were shaped by city council objectives and community input gathered in July and August 2024.

Because of Hurricane Helene’s impacts, the initial RFP deadline for prospective operators was extended to Nov. 13, 2024. Two proposals were received and scored by an evaluation committee composed of eight city staff and a downtown commission representative, following the criteria outlined in the RFP, the news release said.

Next steps

Pending city council approval on Jan. 14, BID services are anticipated to begin to roll out in early 2025. Additionally, the operator’s first quarterly progress report is expected in spring 2025.

Per state requirements, the city will have to provide, maintain or let contracts for the services for which the payers of the district are being taxed within a reasonable time, not to exceed one year, after the effective date of the establishment of the district (by June 30, 2025), according to the news release.

More Information

Click here for additional background on the Downtown Business Improvement District.