South Side businesses express support for creating neighborhood improvement fund

By JULIA BURDELSKI
TribLive

Rebecca Kasavich, owner of Copies at Carson, wants South Side business owners to take control of the neighborhood’s future.

What she doesn’t want is for outsiders — people who don’t live or own property there — make decisions for the bustling business district.

Kasavich supports a bill before council to create a formal neighborhood improvement district along East Carson Street.

“A managed district … is the opposite of looking outside the community for results,” she said during a public hearing Wednesday before City Council. “It’s the opposite of asking government to create results. We in this community should be driving the results.”

Under the proposal, property owners within the district would be compelled to pay into a fund for improvements, like graffiti removal, enhanced public safety or neighborhood events. A group — made up predominantly of neighborhood stakeholders — would direct how the funds are spent and advocate for grants and development in the area.

Its estimated budget would be around $500,000 per year. How much each property owner pays will be determined by the property’s size.

Single-family, owner-occupied residential properties and tax-exempt properties would not be required to contribute to the fund.

“Think of it like a homeowners’ association but for a commercial business district,” said Susan Anderson, who has been serving as the stretch’s business district manager since early 2025.

Property and business owners who addressed council this week overwhelmingly supported the concept.

The proposed district includes the East Carson Street Local Neighborhood Commercial district, portions around Bedford Square and commercial properties along 10th and South 14th streets.

Several South Side business owners said they felt Anderson’s efforts have benefited the business district. They hoped a neighborhood improvement district would allow such efforts to continue. Anderson’s position currently is grant-funded and could not continue long-term without a more stable funding source.

“One thing I’ve learned over the years is that a successful business district does not happen by accident,” said James Hoffman, a co-owner of Mario’s on East Carson Street. “They require leadership, coordination and someone whose job is to wake up every day focused on making the district better.”

John DeMauro, a South Side resident and business owner who heads the South Side Hospitality Partnership, said business owners should invest in better maintenance, cleaning and public safety for their community.

“The city has many priorities, and its resources are not unlimited,” he said. “It could not provide the level of attention a business district like East Carson Street requires on its own.”

Anna Campbell, who has lived in South Side for 15 years and owns a business and commercial building within the proposed district, said she liked that neighborhood stakeholders would lead the association. She also was hopeful they could leverage property owners’ contributions to attract additional grant funds.

“I’ve seen firsthand both the challenges and the incredible potential of the South Side. The (neighborhood improvement district) gives us a sustainable way to address some of those challenges and to invest in our potential,” she said. “A cleaner, safer and better promoted neighborhood helps to attract customers, supports existing businesses, strengthens property values and makes the South Side a place where people want to live, work and spend time.”

Not everyone is on board, though. South Side bar owner Rich Cupka pushed back on the idea of asking property owners to chip in more money.

“We pay enough taxes,” he said. Marie Rotondo Senko, a South Side property owner who lives in the city’s Banksville neighborhood, said costs have already skyrocketed.

Permits are pricey, repair work is increasingly expensive and county, and school district and city taxes have increased in recent years, she said. A new city parks tax also was implemented a few years ago.

“So why add another fee to discourage us?” Senko said. “I believe this additional NID financial burden will not spark economic growth but only serve as another deterrent to buy and sell property in this district.”

Councilman Bob Charland, D-South Side, said he will consider feedback from the community and host a second public hearing before putting the proposal to a final vote.