On Thursday, October 18th, Contois Auditorium was the setting for a presentation and discussion with Brad Segal of Progressive Urban Management Associates (PUMA). Brad was on hand to present his findings and recommendations after months of research on Burlington’s downtown improvement district.

In collaboration with the City of Burlington, we have contracted with PUMA to examine the current structure of Burlington’s two Downtown Improvement Districts and access the feasibility of a full service DID here in Burlington.

The most recent trip focused on unveiling a potential framework for a new Business Improvement District in downtown Burlington. Segal discussed ideas for funding and governance that would include a mix of business people, public appointees and residents.

This process has involved much research and several trips to Burlington over the last year by PUMA staff, where they met with key stakeholders including members of the business community, local leaders and community members. On this visit, Brad will unveil the finding of their phase 1 report on Burlington’s DID.

PUMA founder and president, Brad Segal has extensive experience in downtown management and community development as both a practitioner and consultant. A self-proclaimed “urban therapist,” Brad is one of the nation’s leading authorities on downtown trends and issues, reinventing downtown management organizations and forming business improvement districts to finance them, and pioneering efforts to create healthy communities.

In addition to the Contois Auditorium event, PUMA staff had the chance to meet with key downtown stakeholders to get their thoughts regarding the BID plan. Segal came away from the meetings feeling optimistic about approval for the plan, which will now go before city councilors with the potential for a community vote in March.