El Paso Texas Downtown Management District

The El Paso Downtown Management District was established in 1997 after groups of property owners and business leaders petitioned the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission and approved by majority vote of downtown commercial property owners within the geographical boundaries of Interstate Highway 10 and Loop 375 (Border Highway).

The property owners within this area are assessed an extra $.12 per $100.00 of property value creating a budget (FY 2009-2010) of $434,752.00 a year. The budget will be used to address downtown issues of sanitation, security, parking and transportation and promotion of downtown. DMD Service Plan illustrates how future funding is planned to be expended.

The mission of the Downtown Management District is to improve public property, the environment, public facilities, streets and alleyways in downtown El Paso. The District will accomplish these goals by addressing issues of: Transportation Security, Cleanliness, Public Information, and Promotion & Education. The District is a body politic created pursuant to Texas State Statute, (Local Government Code, Art. 375), with a 5-year plan to enhance downtown El Paso and City services to enhance the downtown area and augment redevelopment efforts.

The establishment of the District allows property owners to augment current City services as determined by the Board of Directors. The State law prohibits the City from reducing services because of the Maintenance Truck

existence of a Management District. Property owners now have the ability to leverage existing services without the fear of additional funding being funneled off to other areas. Furthermore, it allows the spread of the tax burden equitably to all property owners in the same manner as regular taxes. The El Paso Downtown Management District can borrow money, purchase or lease property, pursue grants, issue general obligation or revenue bonds for improvements or services or assess property tax.

The District can serve as a funding mechanism to develop or augment: Mass Transit Issues, Revitalization Issues, Redevelopment Issues, Street Improvements, Environmental Issues, Education Promotions, Points of Interest, Parking Issues, Main Street Development Issues.

The goals of the El Paso Downtown Management District is to: Promote, develop, encourage and maintain employment, commerce, economic development and the public welfare in the commercial and retail areas. Promote the health, safety and general welfare of residents, employers, employees and consumers in the District and the public in general. To preserve, maintain and enhance the economic health and vitality of the District as a community and business center. To promote the health, safety, welfare, morals, convenience and enjoyment of the public by landscaping and developing certain areas within the District that are necessary for the restoration, preservation and enhancement of scenic and aesthetic beauty.