For 25 years, visitors to downtown Turlock have enjoyed streetlight and tree-lined walkways with giant flower pots adding color at intersections. During the holidays, bright lights are strung along Main Street and revelers are invited to annual tree lighting events in Central Park. This welcoming (and shopper-friendly) environment was created and is maintained by the Turlock Downtown Property Owners’ Association through funding from a Property and Business Improvement District (PBID), which is essentially an extra tax that property owners pay in a certain area to go towards specific services.

The Turlock City Council on Tuesday will consider renewing the Downtown Turlock’s PBID (DTPBID) for another 10 years.

The DTPBID was first created in 1998 and was subsequently renewed in 2003 for 10 years, then again in 2013 for another 10 years, and has reached the end of the current term. If approved, the renewed DTPBID will be implemented Jan. 1, 2024 and run through Dec. 31, 2033.

The DTPBID boundaries generally run along Main Street from the corner of Lexington Avenue and Main Street to the corner of Main Street and South Palm Street. The DTPBID also goes down S. Broadway Street from Main Street to the corner of A Street and South Broadway Street, as well as running along Market Street from the corner of Main Street and Market Street to the corner of Market Street and South Broadway Street. On the corner of Main Street and South Thor Street, the DTPBID runs to the corner of South Thor Street and Crane Avenue for parcels facing east. On North 1st street, the DTPBID runs from the corner of North 1st Street and Olive Street to Main Street, while also continuing to the corner of A Street and South 1st Street for parcels facing west.

The DTPBID annual assessment budget for the initial year of its 10-year operation is anticipated to be $213,957. The assessment funds will be supplemented by non-assessment funds (such as grants and event income), so that the total budget for the initial year is estimated at $228,643.05:

·   -      $111,809 for Maintenance

·    -     $64,462 Marketing and Events

·     -    $50,279 for Administration

·     -    $2,091 for Contingency/Renewal

According to the Turlock Downtown Property Owners’ Association report to the Council, maintenance programs will focus on making Downtown Turlock a cleaner and more inviting place to do business and include landscaping of shrubs, flowerbeds and pots; weed control; approval of signage and public art; and paver maintenance.

Marketing, Events, & Advocacy programs will aim to increase TDPOA’s capacity to assist small businesses and office properties recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, plus provide adequate resources to support marketing, placemaking, and other activities that aim to bring prosperity and vitality to Downtown Turlock. These programs may include: Business recruitment and retention; helping downtown businesses navigate City processes; downtown events; holiday tree lights and decorations; downtown maps distributed to Turlock hotels; and downtown website.

The Turlock City Council will also consider on Tuesday approving an agreement between the City and the Turlock Downtown Property Owners’ Association to provide: City staff maintenance of 20 hours per week; $50,000 annual contribution towards additional maintenance services; $30,000 annual contribution towards Quality of Life/Clean and Safe program; and a one-time $30,000 contribution to towards light pole maintenance and repair. The total estimated 10-year cost to the City is over $2.3 million.

Also on Tuesday, the Council is expected to:

·  -       Receive a report on the North Valley Regional Recycled Water Project;

·   -      Consider approving the addition of “Gurdwara Street” as an honorary name to Fifth Street, within the city limits and contingent upon the Sikh Temple paying the costs to purchase and install all street signs;

·   -      Consider amending the Turlock Municipal Code related to park hours and camping by youth organizations in parks;

·   -      Consider authorizing the purchase and installation of playground and fitness equipment from GameTime of Spring Lake, NJ for $366,053 for Phase 2 of the Montana Park improvements;

·   -      Consider approving an agreement between the City and Clean Water Ventures on exploring the opportunity to establish Turlock as a regional hub for green hydrogen energy;

·   -      Consider approving an agreement between the City and Bay Valley Tech for workforce development programs in Turlock.

The Turlock City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 156 S. Broadway. The meetings are open to the public and a full agenda can be found at: cityofturlock.org.

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