Viewpoint: Keep the Business Improvement District

To the Editor:

 I hope downtown property owners will re-consider their attempt to disassemble the BID. In the time that DRI has been operating I have seen improvement in our downtown. There are more reasons than ever to visit downtown. Along with some of the long-time businesses we have new restaurants and shops. Having ArtStart is a wonderful addition to downtown and the community. There are new events that get better each year that have been coordinated by DRI.

 I would think that increased customers would offset the cost to property owners. The wonderful improvements at Trig’s have made that an even more attractive shopping destination and really provides a strong anchor to the downtown area. We are seeing more improvements all the time and it would be short-sighted to stop now.

 Without DRI I believe we would not have some of the new businesses. They provide a focused, central location for inquiry and pursuit of new tenants and merchants. I understand about increased taxes—we all have faced that in varying degrees. However, without pulling together we will lose the progress we’ve made.

 Thank you to the business people who had the original vision and have supported DRI and building a strong Rhinelander. 

Patty Fitzpatrick, Rhinelander