Last night’s Downtown Indiana meeting concerning the Indiana Downtown Improvement Area or IDIA was cut short before everyone in the audience had a chance to have their questions answered.
The IDIA, which covers an area from 12th street to third street and goes one block north and south in each direction, was discussed at last night’s meeting at the Indiana Borough Council Chambers, but some attendees were concerned with the voting process, saying that not turning in a vote would count as a vote in favor of the agreement under what’s called a remonstrance vote. Other concerns that citizens had included managing the district as they felt the last BID was not managed particularly well, and having everyone in the borough pay in for the business improvement district, not just business owners and property owners in the district.
The meeting was cut short as Indiana Borough Council had to get their meeting underway at 7:00, before all concerns could be addressed, so Downtown Indiana director David Janusek said that what his office will do is address the concerns in one-on-one meetings with stakeholders in the district. The meetings can be scheduled by calling the Downtown Indiana office.
Ballots will be sent out to all business and property owners in the district, and they will have 45 days from when the first wave of ballots is sent out to submit their votes. A 60% yes vote is needed to approve the IDIA. No word yet on when those ballots will be sent out, but Janusek said those one-on-one meetings may take place during the voting period.
