The City of Reno researched business improvement districts since 2014; making visits to other cities, engaging with groups like Operation Downtown and seeking community input. The Progressive Urban Management Associates and Urban Land Institute both recommended that the City of Reno create a business improvement district, too.
In order to create the district, the business and property owners in the district petitioned the city to create the self-imposed fee and governance structure. A majority approval is required to create the BID. More than 500 property owners, or 61% of the district, were in favor of the BID, while 16 property owners, or 1%, were against it. Other property owners in the district did not participate in the petition.