By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

Updates on the status of the Business Improvement District will be on the agenda for Thursday morning’s Tourism Committee meeting.

“We sent out a letter (Monday),” Acting Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani said, “where people for the first time got actual dollars and cents on some examples, on what your assesment could be depending on a possible BID.

“The examples that were shown were lights in trees, hanging baskets and promotions. Then it broke it down by retail, restaurant or office and what your monthly assessment might be.”

The assessment for the costs of tree lights, for example, were $36.83 monthly for retail businesses in the first year, falling to $12.58 monthly in each of the next four years. That would raise about $53,000 in the first year and about $18,000 in successive years. Assessments would be less ($32.75, then $11.16) for restaurants and hotels and considerably less ($12.25, then $4.16) for offices, salons and spas.

To raise about $90,000 for marketing and promotions, the monthly BID fee would be unchanging in years one through five: $62.50 for retail, $55.58 for restaurants and hotels and $20.83 for offices, salons and spas.

“I’m sure there will be discussion on Thursday,” Giuliani said.

Also on the committee agenda:

• The Visit Benicia Spring 2012 contest slips will be reviewed and assigned. Economic Development Board Chair Kimble Goodman is serving as contest coordinator.

• Committees for the Sunset Magazine Weekend and bus tour coordination are going to give updates, and there will be a discussion about the effort between the city, Benicia Main Street and the Benicia Yacht Club about the America’s Cup.

“We want to leverage the fact that we’re on the water, and see if we can do something to tie in to the enthusiasm and investment that’s going on with America’s Cup,” Giuliani said. He said among the proposals are having big screens at the Marina green so people can watch the race.

• A monthly Art Walk will be up for discussion, and the committee will solicit feedback and note suggestions. Pat Ryll and David Lindsay will make a presentation.

If You Go
The Tourism Committee of the Economic Development Board will meet Thursday at 8:45 a.m. in Room 2 of the Community Center, 370 East L St.

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