As the expiration of the Downtown Improvement District's contract approaches, many businesses have been expressing their appreciation for the program, as well as their hopes of seeing its contract renewed.

Pat Daugherty, owner of the Tavern Restaurant, 220 E. College Ave., and board member of the Downtown Improvement District (DID), urged the State College Borough Council at its Sept. 5 meeting to support the renewal of the DID contract.

"I am very much in favor of this," Daugherty said.

Jodi Cook, owner of Tadpole Crossing, 101 E. Beaver Ave., said she's had a good history with the DID.

"I'm happy with the Downtown Improvement District; I think they've done well," Cook said. "If I ever have a problem, they take care of it for me. Its always been a good relationship between us and the DID."

DID director Teresa Sparacino said the organization is responsible for street cleaning teams that remove debris from storefront doorways, as well as gum and dirt from sidewalks.

Robert Monzillo, manager of Access, 224 E. College Ave., said he thinks it's always nice to have the storefront of Access looking clean.

The DID is also responsible for many downtown events, like the holiday street lighting ceremony, the Annual Fall Festival, Santa's workshop, the Outdoor Film Series and Summer Concerts.

"Bringing events to town is super important for any downtown business," Monzillo said. "Any person who brings events to town is a good thing for everyone."

David Lee, president of the Downtown State College Improvement District Board, spoke to the borough and also urged them to renew the DID's contract.

"All of the people we've met with were very supportive of the progress that has been made," Lee said. "Let's keep the improvements coming to downtown State College."

In a joint venture with Penn State, the DID is also responsible for the LionCash program, which helps bring student business to stores downtown.

Jodi Leister, shift supervisor at Qdoba, 206 W. College Ave., said she thinks LionCash has helped attract students to the restaurant.

"I definitely think that LionCash brings more students in," Leister said. "More students come in because they can use their LionCash, and they don't just have to use cash or credit cards."

State College Mayor Bill Welch said he has also been pleased with the DID and it's contributions to the community.

"I think it's made a big difference in the downtown, which I think is doing better than any time I can recall in the past," Welch said.

"I think it's worked out well, and I certainly support renewing the contract," he added.

Council member Ron Filippelli said he thinks the DID has done a terrific job so far.

"They should absolutely have their contract continued," Filippelli said.

Council member Elizabeth Goreham said she also supported the continuation of the DID contract.

"It's good to have an entity that includes business people who have a voice and power to act out what they think is important to the business community," Goreham said. "They provide cleaning services and security services that enhance our downtown a great deal."

Goreham said she would be surprised if the council didn't renew the DID contract.

The DID contract was designed to be terminated after a five-year period ending Dec. 31, Borough Manager Tom Fountaine said.

He said the plan was always for the DID program to be evaluated after the initial five years and renewed if all goes well.

Fountaine added that the approval of the plan is anticipated to take place Oct. 2.