A petition drive is kicking off to secure support from property owners to continue a special service district in the downtown waterfront.

Nearly five years ago, the Greater Downtown Council unveiled the Duluth Downtown Waterfront District, a district in which property owners pay a fee for enhanced services and programs. The district included a five-year sunset, unless property owners supported the recertification.

Petitions were mailed to property owners last week and already some petitions of support are coming in. Property owners were also invited to bring their signed petitions to a kick-off celebration at the Blackwater at Greysolon from 4:00-5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17.

The district provides such services as the highly recognizable Clean & Safe Team, enhanced marketing & special events as well as physical improvements (such as streetscape flowers, trees and waste receptacles). It covers approximately 90 blocks from 10th Avenue East to Mesaba Avenue and from Canal Park up to Second Street. In signing the petitions, property owners are, in essence, agreeing to voluntarily tax themselves to help further strengthen the downtown waterfront. Once enough petitions are signed, they must be delivered to Duluth City Hall and the city council would need to vote on approving the district's renewal.

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