What is a SID?
A Special Improvement District (SID) is an economic tool which allows property owners and merchants within a defined geographical boundary to band together to use the city’s assessment powers to assess themselves. This “self-assessment” is used by the property owners to maintain and improve their district. The various projects and use of funds are determined by the SID board of trustees.
The assessment funds are collected by the Franklin County Auditor’s Office along with property taxes, forwarded to the City of Columbus and turned over to the SID. Specifically for the East Main St. SID, 7.5% of annual property taxes are collected from property owners as special assessments.
How is a SID funded?
What services do SIDs provide?
The funds are typically used to fund supplemental services including: security, maintenance, sanitation, marketing and promotion, etc. In some cases, capital improvements are funded, including: streetscape enhancements, landscaping, decorative lighting, brick pavers, etc. These services and capital improvements funded by the SID are in addition to those normally provided by the City.
The East Main Street SID corridor sits between Bexley to the West (Gould & East Main) and Whitehall to the East (Barnett & East Main).