Angie Jordan to lead South District taxing area in Iowa City

IOWA CITY — The self-imposed taxing district in Iowa City’s South District has hired its first executive director.

South District resident Angie Jordan — who pushed for creating the taxing district and led other efforts on the city’s south side — will start in October.

Jordan, president and co-founder of the South District Neighborhood Association, said it’s both exciting and a relief to see everything come “full circle.”

“It just reinforces my hope and my motivation that if you continue to do the work and be creative and persistent, you're going to get closer to your goals,” Jordan said. “ … This dream of mine, it's here, and now I can actually start doing the work.”

What it is

The South District self-supported municipal improvement district — or SSMID — is an economic development tool intended to revitalize businesses and support local entrepreneurs in the area.

The money collected from the levy — which started July 1 — will be used to revitalize the Pepperwood Plaza area south of Highway 6 between Broadway and Keokuk streets.

Map of South District SSMID

The South District SSMID would cover properties south of Highway 6 in the Pepperwood Plaza.

With a SSMID, property owners volunteer for a property tax to be collected and invested back into the area. Such districts have been established in downtown Iowa City, downtown Cedar Rapids and in the Czech Village/New Bohemia area in Cedar Rapids.

Earlier this month, the Iowa City Council took the final step in establishing the SSMID by approving an operating agreement between the district and the city. The council in January approved creating the self-imposed taxing district.

The operating agreement outlines how the SSMID will carry out its work and how the city will distribute the property tax revenues to the group, said Wendy Ford, the city’s economic development coordinator.

The South District SSMID will generate about $104,000 annually, with a levy of $5 per $1,000 assessed taxable value. The levy will last five years and can be renewed.

Jordan unanimous

The national search for an executive director, which began in early July, identified six candidates. The search committee unanimously decided in late August to hire Jordan.

“She's been doing the work for a very long time, and I don't think we could have chosen a better person for the position,” said Tasha Lard, president of the SSMID’s board of directors. The board includes property owners, business owners and South District residents.

Lard, who owns JD Beauty Supply in Pepperwood Plaza, said the role will come as second nature to Jordan.

Jordan said she first intends to map out goals with the board of directors, find ways to measure progress and identify areas to focus on. She wants everyone to be on the same page for the vision, with action steps to reach goals.

The work she will do as executive director is an extension of the work she has already been doing in the community but now will get paid to do.

“I can now do this sustainably,” Jordan said. "I don't have to choose do I want to do the work or do I want to go to work. It's the same thing now.“

Jordan’s responsibilities will range from implementing events to building connections to being involved with the budget and grant writing. She also will be involved with marketing and branding the SSMID.

“All the work is very laser-focused on a part of town that I've been laser-focused on for a chunk of my life now,” Jordan said. “It aligns not just my passion, but it aligns my experiences and my knowledge for the South District to continue elevating it in the realm of economic development.”

Businesses

Jordan will work to build new relationships and strengthen current ones, Lard said, all part of the work to bring more businesses and entertainment opportunities to the area.

Already, two new businesses — Popeyes and Quick Shine Car Wash — are anticipated to open in the Pepperwood Plaza area.

“We envision that there are more businesses that are going to come to the community, as well as more activities for the community,” Lard said.

Asked about what she is most excited about with the SSMID, Lard said she is excited about all of it — more businesses and entertainment, the overall vision, working with Jordan and with the board.

“I believe that the South District, the executive director and the board of directors have a very special relationship to the point where we know what we want to accomplish,” Lard said. “Our goal for each of us and all of us is to ensure the growth of the South District.”

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