Members of the City Council are scheduled Feb. 12 to hear the first reading of an ordinance that would re-establish the Downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA) for a 10 year period starting in May 2008 through April 2018. On April 5, 1988 upon presentation of a petition from downtown property owners representing 50 percent or more of the property assessments, the City Council established a BIA by Ordinance 24058 for a period of 10 years. The BIA was renewed for a period of an additional 10 years in 1998 by Ordinance 26205. Petitioners have again requested renewal of the BIA for another 10 years through April 2018 for the purposes of providing enhanced security, maintaining and enhancing the appearance of common areas, providing professional management, planning and promotion, and similar programs and services. A public hearing on the re-establishment of the BIA and review of the rate, budget and work plan is scheduled for Feb. 12, 2008, starting at approximately 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located in the Tacoma Municipal Building at 747 Market St.