Fullerton : Downtown Promotion District to Be Discussed

A request for a public hearing to consider making businesses in the downtown section pay for the area’s promotion and special events is scheduled for discussion during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

The Downtown Fullerton Assn. asked city officials to consider establishing a management promotion district, city redevelopment manager Terry Galvin said. If the promotion district is eventually approved, downtown service businesses and offices would pay between $90 and $120 per year, while retail businesses would pay a fee, not exceeding $500, based on sales volume, Galvin said. About 300 businesses, mostly on Harbor Boulevard, would be affected, he said.

“I think it’s a great idea. That way they’re working to promote their own efforts,” Galvin said.

The two-year-old association has a $30,000 budget, with half of its funds coming from city coffers and the remainder from contributions, Galvin said. The group, composed of about 60 merchants, community members and cultural groups, sponsors activities such as a street fair during the city’s Founder’s Day celebration earlier this month.

City Council members will meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 303 W. Commonwealth Avenue.