GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- Fourth St. in Grand Island could soon be classified as a business improvement district.

At Tuesday’s city council meeting, the council approved the first reading to establish the Fourth St. Business Improvement District, which goes from Edy Street to Kimball Street. 

City Planner Rashad Moxey said this could be a great improvement to the Grand Island community.

“As a community, as a whole, it could bring our community together, actually, because we’ll have individuals coming there and visiting there and getting to know people," Moxey said. "And so, I think more of a holistic approach where the community welcoming, interacting with individuals of different race. I think that’s the fruitfulness of this.”

Back in December, the city council set forth a year appointment, which gave authority to a newly created board to create a plan to improve the district.

The board includes six members representing businesses in the area. Members of the board have held meetings to discuss the proposed district and have talked to business owners to collect feedback. 

The board’s main purpose in year one if the district is established is the beautification of the district. The board plans to expand to work in other areas like attracting and supporting businesses, safety and security and more. 

“Just the perception of the area it will change," Moxey said. "By changing the perception of the area there could be some increased business for the Fourth Street area.”

If the district is approved, the city would raise $40,000 through a special assessment against the property in the district. The city could get up to $175,000 more through grant funding

Opponents of the proposed district voiced their opinions, arguing their taxes would increase.

Council members asked for more detailed information about the survey conducted with businesses. 

The council voted to approve the first reading seven to two.