About the Downtown Canton Special Improvement District
The Downtown Canton Special Improvement District (SID) is dedicated to ensuring that Downtown Canton is clean, safe, and vibrant for residents, visitors, and businesses alike. We seek to create a Downtown community that meets the needs of our landowners and business owners. It is our goal to ensure that Downtown Canton is attractive and thriving for everyone.
What is a Special Improvement District?
A Special Improvement District (SID) is a designated area within a community where property owners agree to pay an additional assessment to fund services and improvements that benefit the district. These services often go beyond what a city
typically provides and can include things like beautification, safety initiatives, marketing, maintenance, and events that enhance the economic vitality and overall experience of the area. SIDs are managed by a nonprofit organization or board made up of local stakeholders, ensuring that decisions directly reflect the needs and goals of the property owners and businesses within the district.
Why Support a SID?
Supporting a Special Improvement District (SID) helps ensure that a community’s most important shared spaces stay clean, safe, vibrant, and welcoming. Because SIDs are funded directly by property owners within the district, the improvements are tailored to what the area truly needs—whether that’s enhanced beautification, safety ambassadors, marketing that brings more visitors downtown, or year-round events that boost local businesses. SIDs create a coordinated effort that individual businesses or the city alone often can’t achieve, leading to stronger economic growth, higher property values, and a more attractive environment for residents, visitors, and investors. In short, supporting a SID is a direct investment in the long-term success and vitality of the community. The Downtown Canton SID also manages the Downtown Canton Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA). This area permits the outdoor consumption of alcoholic beverages during specific hours, enhancing the enjoyment of community events such as Canton First Fridays, the Canton Farmers Market, and numerous festivals throughout the year.
Who Manages the Downtown Canton SID?
To ensure accountability to all ratepayers, the SID operating plan outlines criteria for a board of directors made up of property and business owners from across the district,
representing a range of geographic areas and business types. Board members are elected by the district’s membership, ensuring broad and fair representation. The SID contracts with the Downtown Canton Partnership to carry out its services plan, and DCP maintains its own board of directors that oversees the organization’s day-to-day operations and ensures the work aligns with the goals of the SID. For more information, contact Downtown Canton Partnership.
Downtown Canton Development Model
This interactive tool is designed to provide an overview of the significant private and public investment taking place in the Downtown Canton Special Improvement District. This model was developed by the Downtown Canton Special Improvement District in collaboration with the Downtown Canton Partnership, City of Canton’s Department of Planning and Zoning, City of Canton’s Auditor’s Office, and with funding from the Stark Community Foundation.
DISCLAIMER: The Downtown Canton Development Model is for information purposes only. This development model will be updated on a bi-annual basis. Property locations and details are believed to be accurate based on available information, but accuracy is not guaranteed.