Report Details Georgia's Community Improvement Districts

David Pendered shares news of a new report by researchers at Georgia State University into the growing prevalence of Georgia's community improvement districts.

According to Pendered, for example, "the report examines the increasing diversity of services CIDs are providing now, as opposed to 25 years ago. CIDs now account for more than 60 percent of the loans and grants provided by the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank."

As for how CIDs work, business owners must vote to raise tax to fund improvements such as streetscapes, road and trail improvements, and transit.

The report also points out "some possible growing pains in the popular CID program," including the example of the Atlanta Streetcar. New multi-family housing stock built along the streetcar line has diminished the tax base for the line, even as its costs continue.

The article includes insight into more of the case studies examined in the report.