Frequently asked questions

Establishing a Community Improvement District (CID) is a method used, granted by state statute and ordinance approved by the City, to return an in-district defined tax and established duration to provide eligible services and/or public improvements to the localized boundary. Not all states have CID's but others have methods related such as BID's (Business Improvement Districts) and other acronyms to serve similar purposes. Community Improvement Districts have an established boundary to which stakeholders within the boundaries typically follow one of two methods of annual revenue to service the entity; by a defined percent of limited sales & use tax through the state of founding, and/or a defined percentage limited land tax or "Special Assessment", or in some cases both avenues of revenue to support the District purpose.  The method is one way to reinvest local tax dollars back into the precise location they derived from.  The purpose is to return reinvestment to community improvements at a local level.    

The 39th Street CID was one of the very first CID's established in the State of Missouri and the City of Kansas City greater metropolitan region. It is one of the smallest by physical boundary location and tiniest by district revenue, established as only a one-half percent (0.5 %) district sales and use tax, however, has demonstrated the most substantial and successful impact.   

The 39th Street District's source of revenue is sales and use tax only, unlike many others, pursuant to the Missouri Community Improvement District Act, Sections 67-1545 to 67-1551 of the Missouri Statues and approved by the qualified voters of the District by an initial founding in 2002. The District renewed and will remain effective into 2034. Meaning, the qualified voters within the District designated boundary are the reciprocal "district" serviced by the entity of the CID. Community Improvement District's require a high amount of oversight; which is provided by the District itself, the City of Kansas City, and the State of Missouri. All of which receive and verify multiple levels of annual reporting and follow strict ordinances and guidelines that are occasionally subject to municipal change. The 39th Street CID believes the balance of community services, retail sales and use, residential and public space are what make a community truly successful. 

If successful, a Community Improvement District can create a central hub to surrounding residential areas or further improve a location that needs established amenities. A district can create a sense of place, a helpful balance of connection, improved tourism and visibility, as well as other benefits to the City and neighborhoods where it resides.  

The 39th Street Community Improvement District (CID) Board of Directors hosts monthly public meetings, once a month for over the last twenty years. Meetings are the third Thursday of each month, unless otherwise posted for alternative arrangements made such as severe weather or holiday arrangements. The Board of Directors represent a cross section of the District as required as representatives and are led for oversight by an Executive Director, as CIDs are a unique organizational type with additional requisites than average non-profit entities. Public meeting dates and hosting follow the protocol for public engagement and are always held on West 39th Street. When necessary, the CID hosts larger groups for broader topics related to the region.  

Meetings are open to the public, held at 9am on the 3rd Thursday of the month unless temporary location or date change notifications are made in advance.  Monthly location:  Prospero's Bookstore at 9am.

Please see the City of Kansas City website for additional verification of 76 registered local CIDs. If you have additional questions regarding this topic, please contact us.