Title
2026 Downtown Enhanced Municipal Services District Assessment Diagram (Resolution 22332) - Districts 7 & 8
Description
Request City Council approval of the 2026 Downtown Enhanced Municipal Services District (EMSD) Assessment Diagram. There is no financial impact as a result of this request.
Report
Summary
The City Council authorized formation of the Downtown EMSD in 1990 to provide enhanced municipal services above and beyond the level of services provided in the remainder of the City. The Downtown EMSD is generally bounded by Garfield Street, 7th Street, 3rd Avenue, and the railroad tracks south of Jackson Street. Costs for the Downtown EMSD’s services are paid through assessments on property owners within the Downtown EMSD boundaries.
The proposed 2026 Downtown EMSD Assessment Diagram (Attachment A - 2026 Downtown EMSD Diagram) indicates the properties to be assessed and is on file in the Office of the Director of the City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department. The proposed assessments and Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Downtown EMSD Diagram are based on the estimate of expenses and property data available as of April 10, 2025. The proposed diagram was completed on August 10, 2025. As required by Arizona Revised Statutes Section 48-575(D), the CY 2026 Downtown EMSD Diagram shows each separate lot numbered consecutively, the area in square feet of each lot, and the area in square feet of any buildings located on each lot.
Public streets, alleys, and property utilized for residential purposes that do not benefit by the enhanced municipal services are excluded from this proposed CY 2026 Downtown EMSD Diagram. This request for action includes a Resolution approving the CY 2026 Downtown EMSD Diagram.
Financial Impact
There is no financial impact for approving the CY 2026 Downtown EMSD Diagram.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Economic Development and the Arts Subcommittee meeting approved the CY 2026 Downtown EMSD work plan and budget on September 10, 2025, by a vote of 3-0.
Public Outreach
A public hearing will be held for property owners to discuss the proposed assessments, costs, and services provided in connection with the Downtown EMSD. If this request is approved, the public hearing will be set for November 5, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., in the Phoenix City Council Chambers. All property owners are notified by mail of their annual assessment costs by the Street Transportation and Community and Economic Development departments no fewer than 20 days prior to the public hearing. Notice of the public hearing will also be published on October 22, 2025, and October 24, 2025, in the Record Reporter. No further notification is required after the public hearing.
Location
The Downtown EMSD is generally bounded by Garfield Street, 7th Street, 3rd Avenue, and the railroad tracks south of Jackson Street.
Council Districts: 7 and 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Inger Erickson, Deputy City Manager John Chan and the Street Transportation and Community and Economic Development departments.