Business Improvement Districts
in New York City

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What is a BID?

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a public/private partnership where property and business owners elect to have collective contribution to improve the maintenance, development and promotion of their commercial district.

In many places in New York City, the plants and trash cans you see are not provided by the city, but by the BIDs. They also run several of the tourism and local business information booths providing visitors and New Yorkers with valuable information.

Why do people for BIDs?

The purpose of a BID is to improve conditions in and around areas of businesses and properties. They improve quality of life and also generate jobs. Stakeholders in the BIDS also decide which services to provide to meet their district’s unique needs.

These include:

* Cleaning sidewalks and streets, as well as graffiti removal.

* Helping reduce commercial vacancy of spaces inside the district.

* Landscaping parks and open spaces, including planting trees and flowers.

* Marketing special events, district public relations, promotional materials of local business and holiday decorations.

* Provide public safety officers and visitor assistance.

* Fundraising for community services such as homeless outreach and youth programs.

* Completing capital improvements like improved streetlights, custom trash receptacles, directional street signage for visitors, custom news boxes and flower boxes.

How is a BID funded?

BID programs and services are underwritten by a special assessment collected from property owners in the defined bids. The assessment is billed and collected by the City of New York and then disbursed to the District Management Association who in turn delivers the district’s services.

Who oversees the BID?

Each BID is governed by a Board of Directors that is elected by the members of the district. The Board of Directors then hires management to administer the day-to-day operations of the BID. Each Board is also broken into classes of commercial property owners, commercial tenants, residents and public officials. The majority of the directors must also be property owners. The Mayor on the city, Comptroller, Borough President and a member of the City Council are also defacto members of the board.

How can I be involved?

There are many ways to become active in your local BID, or start a BID in your district. The first steps would be to attend meetings, join the Steering Committee and serve on the Board of Directors or work on a special project. Most important of all, before a BID is formed, voice your support.

For more information on forming a BID, please call 311 and ask for the Business Improvement District Program, or visit www.nyc.gov/smallbiz.