ICDD SSMID Renewal
A Message from our Executive Director
Since 2012, the Iowa City Downtown District has been downtown Iowa City’s full-time advocate and biggest champion. We are a nonprofit organization that represents—and is partially funded by—a Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) tax levy from our property owners. We provide the downtown community with direct services, planning, and advocacy that fulfill our mission: “champion a thriving downtown economy, fostering a vibrant community and welcoming experiences for all.”
Over the past decade, thanks to the support of stakeholders, the City, businesses, and property owners, the ICDD has achieved hundreds of impactful successes. Thirteen years later, the organization has built a strong, recognizable brand, launched dynamic marketing campaigns, hosted dozens of successful events, implemented a comprehensive cleaning and hospitality program, and become a major advocacy voice for downtown priorities. These accomplishments have laid the foundation for continued impact and innovation in the years ahead.
The SSMID is renewed by downtown property owners every 10 years through a petitioning process, with the next renewal happening this year. Renewing the SSMID will enable us to continue delivering the services that keep downtown clean, vibrant, and welcoming for all who live, work, play, visit, or invest in downtown Iowa City. As part of this renewal, we are also proposing an expansion of our current District boundaries to include adjacent areas. This growth will allow us to extend services, programs, and advocacy efforts to more parts of downtown.
Sincerely,
Betsy Potter
Executive Director, Iowa City Downtown District
2026–2036 SSMID
The Iowa City Downtown District (ICDD) must be authorized by downtown property owners every 10 years, with renewal occurring in 2026. Continuation of the ICDD/SSMID requires petitions in support of authorization signed and submitted to the City of Iowa City.
We greatly appreciate your support and invite you to authorize the 2026-2036 SSMID term.
Why Authorizing the SSMID is Important
The Iowa City Downtown District is the only organization that works on behalf of the downtown property owners. We are dedicated to making downtown a place that people want to live, work, entertain, and invest.
The advocacy and services we provide address key issues of today, such as development within the core, safety, walkability, planning and policy, public space activation, and cleanliness—that also ensure downtown’s long-term value and vitality.
Authorizing the SSMID ensures that the ICDD will continue to work in the best interest of the downtown property owners.
Assessment Rate
The assessment will remain the same for the first seven years of the 10 year term. SSMID Levy Rate(2026–2036) — Assessment rates per $1000 of assessed value: Downtown Iowa City: not to exceed $2.50 for the first 7 years, not to exceed $2.75 for the last 3 years
Authorizing the SSMID ensures that the ICDD will continue to work in the best interest of the downtown property owners.
Timeline
The Downtown SSMID has a 10-year sunset that expires June 30, 2026. Property owners must return their signed petitions in support of SSMID reauthorization to the Iowa City Downtown District. The ICDD must then submit all signed petitions to the City Clerk.
The City of Iowa City City Council will conduct a public hearing & adopt a resolution to authorize.
Ready to sign?
The ICDD SSMID Renewal Committee—made up of property and business owners who believe in our mission—will send you your petition.
Or email us at info@downtowniowacity.com to request one.
We greatly appreciate your support and invite you to authorize the 2026–2036 ICDD SSMID term.
What is a SSMID?
A “self-supported municipal improvement district” is informally referred to as a SSMID. It is an area of contiguous property within a city whereby property owners voluntarily assess themselves a tax to be collected and invested back into the defined geography for revitalization purposes. Several communities in Iowa, including Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Davenport, Des Moines, and Fort Dodge have established successful SSMID districts.
Would the SSMID boundaries change?
The SSMID proposed boundaries would be expanded in two directions. The first addition is an expansion on the Northside to include the Downtown UI Health Care campus. This allows the UI hospital to be in the ICDD and provides the ICDD with the opportunity to help direct any changes to the Northside neighborhood. The second addition expands south of Court St, east to Gilbert St. This would then include Gilbert and include businesses downtown to the train tracks (see map).
Who manages the SSMID?
The non-profit Iowa City Downtown District organization, created to invest in the SSMID funding would continue to invest the renewed SSMID dollars under a Board of Directors of property and business owners. The board will continue to include non-voting ex-officio Board members representing the Greater Iowa City, the Think Iowa City, and the City of Iowa City. These ex-officio Board members would help to continually raise the importance and visibility of downtown and ensure the SSMID district businesses are a priority in these organizations’ larger marketing and advocacy efforts.
Key Direct Member services & ICDD Strategic Focus (2026–2036)
Over the 13 year history of the ICDD, having built a strong, recognizable brand, launched dynamic marketing campaigns, hosted hundreds of traffic driving events, built business support systems, implemented a comprehensive cleaning and hospitality program, and becoming a major advocacy voice for downtown priorities — these accomplishments have laid the foundation for continued impact and innovation in the years ahead. The 2025–2031 Strategic Plan established a framework for expanding our work — both in geographic growth of the assessment district and depth of services to the greater downtown community and its many diverse stakeholders.
Clean & Hospitality
Continue and explore expanding the Downtown Ambassadors service area. We will continue to fund the Downtown Police Liaison, football weekend portable toilets, harm reduction lighting, and partner with the City of Iowa City.
Economic Development
Take steps to proactively elevate downtown’s development and redevelopment opportunities, advocate for policies and funding that maintain downtown’s competitive advantage and support small businesses.
Marketing & Communications
Develop targeted marketing campaigns promoting downtown, conduct and report market research, and keep downtown stakeholders informed of important issues
Place Management
Continue our investment in the Black Hawk Mini Park area and other underutilized public spaces, while focusing on public art.