Provo alliance is voted down

PROVO — A seemingly successful alliance of businesses in downtown Provo was voted down Tuesday night, but it wasn't the alliance itself that residents or council members had trouble with. It was the funding mechanism for the alliance.

The Downtown Business Alliance of Provo was formed six years ago, and is composed of business owners in the areas stretching from 600 West to 300 East and from 100 South to 200 North. An additional eight blocks are included between 300 West and 100 East and 200 and 400 North.

A special tax levy for those participating in the alliance drew three times the protests it had when it was instituted in 2001 and when it was renewed in 2004.

Business and property owners representing 27 percent of the taxable property in the district filed qualified protests. Previously, owners of 8 percent to 9 percent of the district's taxable property had protested.

Councilman George Stewart invited concerned business owners to give input for and against keeping the alliance.

John Beesley, a downtown business owner, outlined the common thread of frustration of those against keeping the alliance.

"My opposition isn't against the alliance," Beesley said. "It's about fairness. Property owners should be able to say yes or no."

Those who were against the alliance said they felt the taxation or assessments placed on their businesses weren't fair. They paid a lot of money out but didn't receive much for that money.

On the other side, those who favored keeping the alliance pointed out all the good that has been done these past six years including sculptures, the Gallery Stroll, murals, hanging flower pots, the cleaning of sidewalks and other visible improvements in the area.

Tony Thomas, owner of Modern Shoe, said he has personally volunteered hundreds of hours, serving on the alliance committee.

"This is about keeping downtown Provo alive," Thomas said. "I know it's working down here, and over time it will just improve. It looks more beautiful than it did before."

At the end of public discussion the council debated what it had heard, including comments made in previous meetings with alliance members and notices of protest received by those who didn't want to keep the alliance.

Stewart then put forward two motions — one to "abandon the Provo Utah Central Business Economic Development District" and a second motion to "replace the current organization with another structure that will continue to improve and enhance Provo's downtown."

After many questions and debate, the first motion carried on a 5-2 vote. The wording of the second motion was troubling to some council members and debate was continuing a press time.

The end result of Tuesday's council meeting was to abandon the organized group and move towards a more voluntary group of business owners who will continue to work towards improving the downtown Provo area.

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