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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Danielle Tufano, Downtown Economic Development Manager
Deb Lang, Deputy Corporation Councill
DATE: April 30, 2026
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Authorizing approval of a Lease Agreement between the City of Aurora and Aurora Downtown District.
PURPOSE:
The City of Aurora enters into this lease agreement with the Aurora Downtown District (ADD) to support the effective delivery of services that enhance the vitality of the downtown area. By providing centrally located office space at a nominal cost, the City enables ADD to maintain a consistent and visible presence within the district it serves, facilitating coordination with local businesses, stakeholders, and City staff while improving responsiveness to downtown needs and initiatives.
This arrangement represents a strategic investment by the City in the continued success of ADD's operations by reducing administrative overhead and allowing a greater share of the organization's resources to be directed toward programming, marketing, beautification, and economic development activities. In doing so, the City strengthens its partnership with ADD and advances its broader goals of fostering economic growth, enhancing public spaces, and promoting downtown Aurora as a vibrant destination for residents, visitors, and businesses.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Aurora is a home rule municipality under Illinois law, and the Aurora Downtown District (ADD) is a local nonprofit organization created to support and improve the downtown area. ADD focuses on making downtown Aurora a more vibrant place to live, work, and visit by promoting events, supporting local businesses, and maintaining and enhancing public spaces. The City recognizes that this work benefits the community and has an interest in continuing to support these efforts, while ADD remains committed to strengthening and promoting downtown.
To help fund this work, the City created a special service area known as SSA-One, which collects taxe...
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