The year 2018 is just around the corner. Before we see what the new year has to offer, let us look back at the big stories that affected Benicia in 2017. Staff changes In February, interim City Manager Steve Salomon left to become the interim city manager of Orinda. Fire Chief Jim Lydon initially filled […]
Council approves renewal of Benicia Business Improvement District
The Benicia City Council voted in favor of the renewal of the Benicia Business Improvement District (BID) at its Tuesday meeting. Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani began the discussion by explaining why the City Council was voting to renew the BID. The BID was a 2012 agreement between the city of Benicia and First Street […]
Cannabis survey results on City Council’s slate for tonight
Since California voted to legalize recreational cannabis in November, cities all over the state have debated on what to do with the plant. Some have high ambitions of complete freedom to smoke wherever they want. Others want strict regulations on where smokers can light up. The Benicia City Council will discuss the results of an […]
Business owners circulate petition to protest BID renewal
Group: Not trying to ‘turn off the lights’ On Tuesday, the Benicia City Council will vote on a resolution to renew the Benicia Business Improvement District (BID), in which businesses in designated areas of a town are required to pay taxes to help fund projects within the district’s boundaries. In 2012, business owners on First […]
Downtown Business Alliance advocates for keeping tree lights on
Anybody who has walked down First Street has definitely seen the decorative lights wrapped around the trees giving off an illuminating glow. What may not be common knowledge is that these lights were brought by the Downtown Benicia Alliance (DBA) in 2012 as part of the Business Improvement District (BID) program. The goal of the […]
Letters: Benicia BID renewal
Benicia BID renewal Do you love the tree lights on First Street in Benicia? If the answer is “yes”, then we need to thank the First Street business owners. In November 2012, businesses fronting First Street and its adjoining areas voted to form a special benefits assessment district in Benicia to help fund beautification and […]