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05/07

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS: 
Benefits and Challenges
Cynthia W. Bledsoe, Executive Director
Greater Towson Committee, Inc.

At the GTC’s most recent Towson Town Hall Meeting, area residents and business professionals gathered to hear Kirby Fowler, President of the Downtown Partnership, discuss the benefits and services business improvement districts can offer.

Business Improvement Districts, or BIDS, vary in purpose and design depending upon the needs of a particular areas.  Typically, districts are found in central cities areas and urban cores and exist for the purpose of delivering revitalization efforts not being fully addressed by either municipalities or the private sector.  The properties and businesses within the determined district are assessed a special tax to cover the cost of providing the services the district deems are needed, but not being met.  The local government involvement usually consists of the collection of the assessments and some partnering and oversight, but the BID is its own entity and controls the management of the service delivery as well as its on financial management.

BIDS are found in cities and towns, large and small around the country.  The Downtown Partnership serves in this capacity for Baltimore City and provides clean and green services as well as security enhancements in and around its defined district within the city core.  Large BIDS in places like New York City function more like a local government entity might and have more far reaching impact to the surrounding community than those in smaller areas.  The smaller BIDS manage not only safety and maintenance within the district, but may also market the area from an economic development angle, much like a chamber of commerce might.  The funding source is the primary difference, since revenue is generated by required payments by property owners rather than optional membership fees.  This ensures a predictable and dependable cash flow for BID organizations.

BIDS are highly entrepreneurial in nature due to the fact each will structure itself differently depending upon the local needs of an area.  Often, projects are fast tracked by not being required to process through the minutia of governmental processes.  Other benefits include enhancing public spaces through ongoing maintenance of a clean and green environment, providing walking security teams throughout the district and advocating on behalf of business in the district for revitalization incentives.

Calendar Dates:

Walkable Towson Charrette, June 4 - 9 Trinity Episcopal Church, 120 Allegheny Avenue

The purpose of the Walkable Towson planning process is to make Downtown Towson more vibrant by making it more pedestrian friendly

Monday, June 4, 7 p.m.
Opening presentation.  The professional design team will explain the charrette process, and how the public can participate.

Tuesday, June 5, 7 p.m.
Pinup session to view early concepts and provide feedback to the Design Team

Wednesday, June 6, 7 p.m.
Pinup session to provide feedback on evolving concepts and proposals

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