Anchorage Downtown Partnership, Ltd. (ADP) is a 501 (c) 6 non-profit entity charged with management of the Downtown Improvement District (DID). ADP provides clean and safe services throughout the DID, provides marketing and event promotion throughout the DID, and serves as an advocate for the business and property owners within the DID on issues affecting downtown.
The ADP budget comes from two sources: assessment funds and non-assessment funds. The assessment provides between 50-60% of the total budget for ADP annually, with the additional funds coming from membership fees, sponsorships, contracts, and fee-in-lieu of assessment grants.
Membership & Governance
Current bylaws of Anchorage Downtown Partnership, Ltd. allow for two classes of membership: voting and non-voting. Voting membership is open to assessment payers and dues paying members. Non-voting membership is open to interested citizens, without geographical limitation, who wish to support the mission and goals of ADP.
ADP is governed by a Board of Directors. Any voting member or designated representative is eligible to seek election to the Board. Directors are elected annually at the regular annual meeting of the membership. The Board is comprised of members from each of the following categories:
a. Downtown Property Owner
b. Downtown Resident
c. Downtown Business
d. Public Agency
e. Professional Service Provider
f. At large
ADP holds regular Board meetings and keeps correct and complete minutes of membership meetings and the proceedings of its Board of Directors.
In addition, ADP hosts an Annual Meeting of the membership on a date in each year designated by the Board of Directors for the purpose of electing or appointing Directors and/or for the transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. Notice of the annual membership meeting is given to the members not less than ten (10) days prior to the meeting, and for all other meetings, the membership shall be given not less than five (5) days notice. Ballots for the election of Directors are distributed to the membership in conjunction with giving notice of the annual meeting.
The Anchorage Downtown Improvement District (DID) covers 103 square blocks from 9th Avenue to 1st Avenue and from Gambell to I Street. Downtown property owners created the improvement district to help improve the cleanliness of downtown; to help decrease crime; to increase occupancy rates, investment values and lease income; and to generally stimulate economic development and improve the quality of life in downtown.
Simply put, property owners created the assessment district to transform downtown into a clean, safe and vibrant neighborhood.
382 property owners in downtown signed petitions requesting the formation of an improvement district, which the Assembly approved in June of 2000. The assessment funds collected by the city are put back into the improvement district for supplemental services as determined by the property owners and outlined in ordinance.
The Anchorage DID is the first in Alaska, though more than 1000 exist in the US and Canada alone. Others DIDs have served as models for creating the Anchorage downtown improvement district.
