In a special meeting of Reading City Council Monday night, Council members voted 4-3 against reauthorizing the Reading Downtown Improvement District.
The RDID was created in 1995 to fulfill the needs for a cleaner and safer downtown Reading. Since then, the RDID Authority has overseen the improvement district and its Ambassadors have provided services such as public safety, environmental maintenance, hospitality, and helped implement special events in the district, including the Downtown Alive outdoor concert series, Reading Fire + Ice Fest, Reading Holiday Parade and MidDay Café.
The District’s boundaries encompass a 24-block area that stretches from The Schuylkil River to 11th and Penn Streets.
The vote Monday night was for a 5 year reauthorization of the organization. Council President Jeffrey Waltman, Lucine Sihelnik, Marcia Goodman-Hinnershitz, voted in favor of reauthorization.
Council members Stratton P. Marmarou, Donna Reed, Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, and Melissa Ventura voted against reauthorization.
“Council has spoken regarding the reauthorization of the Downtown Improvement District and I appreciate everyone’s efforts on this matter” said Mayor Eddie Moran in a statement Monday night.
”Given the outcome, I’d like to assure the residents of Reading that we will fully engage and provide critical services to the area through my administration. This means that the area will continue to be clean and safe, not just for business owners but all residents. Thank you to Council, the DID Board and those involved in this process.”
The Reading Downtown Improvement District Authority and Ambassador Services Downtown will cease operations come January 1, 2021
