FAQs

Your feedback will help us think through how the MSD tax is allocated and what type of enhanced services to prioritize in the upcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Downtown Services Contract.

We’re collecting feedback from downtown business and property owners within the MSD until the end of 2025.

Downtowns are high-density areas that often require additional services. The MSD Tax exists to fund additional, enhanced services that are needed to maintain and strengthen the vibrancy of downtown.

• Marketing/Programming
• Promoting Business Investment
• Placemaking, Streetscape, Wayfinding
• Traffic/Parking Improvements
• Coordinating Public/Private Interests
• Safety Investments

• Landscaping & Maintenance: This funding supports our Parks and Recreation Department in maintaining landscaping across public areas within the MSD, including coverage on weekends and holidays.

• Downtown Partnership: In FY 25-26, the funding is primarily used for the Downtown Partnership to manage the Block by Block contract – a service that keeps the MSD clean through trash pickup, power washing, and graffiti removal. 

• 140 West: This expense represents the Town’s commitment to expenditures related to the public plaza and the public parking level.  These expenditures include security, plaza maintenance, landscaping, utilities, parking lot maintenance, etc.  Expenditures are shared based upon an agreement at the time of development with 140 West HOA. The Town uses this space to host multiple arts and culture events that boosts foot traffic in the downtown area.

• Launch: Located in Downtown Chapel Hill, this organization is an accelerator for start-ups and promotes entrepreneurial business investment.