 |
March 2008 | |
| Pitkin Avenue Business Improvement District E-Newsletter |
||
 |
||
|
WELCOME! On behalf of the Board of Directors for the Pitkin Avenue Business Improvement
District, I welcome the challenge to serve this historic community. Brownsville and specifically the Pitkin Avenue business district has an enormous history of small business achievement and service. Since becoming Executive Director in September of 2007, I'm truly motivated to assist the merchants on Pitkin Avenue to enhance their outreach in making doing business on 'Pitkin' an enjoyable experience. SO WHAT IS THIS BID ANYWAY?
This is a question I am asked a lot when walking the avenue. I decided to use this email newsletter to explain a little about our BID. I can't detail all the nuances of the BID in this small space, but I hope this brief explanation will answer some questions. A business improvement district (BID) is a geographically defined area within a city in which services, activities and programs are paid for through a special assessement, which is charged to all property owners within the district. The assessment money collected in a given district cannot legally be spent outside of that BID. Some services provided by the BID include sidewalk sweeping, marketing/promotion and streetscape beautification. These and other programs are administered by the BID director or manager. The BID manager or director reports to the BID board and the NYC Department of Small Businesses. The director is, however, not an employee of the city; he or she works for the BID. The are over 50 BIDs operating currently operating in NYC. Our BID includes all businesses on Pitkin Avenue between Howard Avenue and Mother Gaston Boulevard, and businesses on Rockaway Avenue between Glenmore and Belmont Avenues. WHAT DOES A BID DO?
If you have any questions about our BID or its services, please Contact Me.
REMEMBERING CHARLES LUCE New York City is home to the largest and most comprehensive network of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in the country. Today, 59 BIDs provide $80 million in supplemental services to over 65,000 businesses in commercial corridors across all five boroughs. These BIDS have been pivotal partners in revitalizing New York City neighborhoods, and their impact is clear: the City's streets are cleaner and safer, and more people are visiting New York City than ever before. This important model for neighborhood revitalization had to begin somewhere. In January, a dear friend, Charles F. Luce, passed away. Chuck, a former under secretary of the Interior and Chairman of the Board of Consolidated Edison, may best be known for his work as head of the giant utility company, but in the economic development community he is also revered as one of the first champions of public-private partnerships for the sake of neighborhood development--and one of the founders of the City's first BID in the 14th Street/Union Square neighborhood. Click to read the entire article STOREFRONT IMPROVEMENT Our storefront improvement program allows merchants/owners to receive 50% up to $5,000.00 for storefront improvement. That includes everything from a coat of paint to a new sign to a complete storefront makeover. Don't miss out on this great program! Contact the BID for details. NEXT COMMUNITY BOARD 16 MEETING Tuesday, March 25, 7 PM Where: Contact: |
|
