Dallas City Councilman Griggs kicksoff petition drive for North Oak Cliff PID

City Councilmember Scott Griggs, District 1, and the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce today announced a petition effort to create a new Public Improvement District (PID) in North Oak Cliff. The North Oak Cliff PID covers the Oak Cliff Gateway and the Jefferson, Bishop Arts and Davis Corridors.

“This new Public Improvement District will complement and support the Mayor’s GrowSouth initiative,” said Councilmember Griggs. “The District will provide public improvements such as enhancements to sidewalks and parks in North Oak Cliff, helping to strengthen and engage our neighborhoods,” he said.

“The North Oak Cliff PID is a great example of the initiatives we need to keep the GrowSouth momentum going,” said Mayor Mike Rawlings. “We’ve had great success with Public Improvement Districts and I’m very pleased to support this effort in North Oak Cliff.”

Examples of services and improvements include safety patrols, safety awareness and education programs, lighting and signs, marketing and promotion of economic development, landscaping and park improvements. PIDs are special assessment areas created at the request of property owners.

To create the District, property owners need to agree to a special assessment which is then used to provide additional services above and beyond existing city services. The assessment will depend on the total appraised real property value of the property. For example, a property valued at $300,000 based on a proposed PID assessment of $0.12 per $100 of value would pay an assessment of $360 that year. The petition would exclude properties in the District with homestead exemption from assessment.

If the petition effort meets State and City requirements, the proposed PID creation may be considered by the City Council. Once established, PIDs have an annual service plan and assessment rate approval process that includes a public hearing before the Council. PIDs are managed by outside entities under a management contract with the City.

Petitions must be returned on or before March 21 to Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce President Bob Stimson. The City requires that at least 60 percent of petition threshold signatures be met. The District will be managed by a private entity through the North Oak Cliff Improvement District Corporation.