BIDDEFORD — A downtown district has formally been set after town officials voted to agree on boundaries during a City Council meeting on Tuesday.

The downtown district had originally been discussed in a presentation during August of 2015, but the boundaries of the entire zone were never solidified.

According to City Councilor John McCurry, the need to hash out a definitive area for the district became clear after multiple groups had differing maps and interpretations of the district’s reach.

“This was done because we had many different maps,” said McCurry during the City Council meeting. “We got all the maps and put them all together till we came up with one map so that when someone talked about the downtown district everyone was using the same map… If we’re talking downtown, we’re talking one downtown.”

Councilor Marc Lessard outlined that the downtown district is crucial to identify in allowing smooth municipal operations within certain areas of the city.

“Without it having been broken out, if you were going to say (an ordinance) was going to be residential then it would cover the entire city, but if you were to say it covers residential within the downtown district then it’s set within that piece.”

The downtown district encompasses portions of rural zone two, business zone one, and main street revitalization district one, two and three, as well as all of waterfront zone two.

Along with the adoption of the downtown district, the City Council is looking to finalize a downtown business improvement district. At this point, the area of the business improvement district is still being worked out, said Biddeford Mayor Alan Cassavant.

“There are no set boundaries for that as of yet. One of the big points of discussion is whether it’s just Main Street or how far out does it go? It could include apartment buildings,” Cassavant said. “That’s critical because if that district is accepted those within the district would be paying a fee for downtown enhancements that go beyond the norm of what the city currently is doing.”

Cassavant added that city officials would like to see the business improvement district finalized by December, but before that “those who own property in the downtown need to be invested in it, see the advantages and not see it as a liability.”

Over the past few years Biddeford has been investing significantly in it’s downtown, and Cassavant says he’s continually heard positive feedback.

“People love the new crosswalks, sidewalks, they love the flowers, the lightings brighter and it feels safer,” Cassavant said. “People are feeling a pride about it, where they can brag about and feel good about it.”

— Staff Writer Ryder Schumacher can be reached at 282-1535, or via email at rschumacher@journaltribune.com.