Business improvement districts in the United States

[5] In Rochester, NY, a proposed Business Improvement District (BID) faced significant community opposition that ultimately led to the abandonment of the effort in March of 2024.

Key issues cited included concerns of increased gentrification, displacement of low-income residents, and the allocation of resources to projects not aligned with community needs.

Pushback from community members and activists highlighted a strong desire for more inclusive, equitable development practices.

BIDs provide an array of services to keep districts clean and managed to improve mix of activities, transportation, and aesthetics of public places.

The small amount of stakeholders also limits the risk of corruption, with more individuals keeping watch of the activities managed by the BID [13] A Study of New York BIDs revealed that commercial properties within the defined areas of a business improvement district sold for 30.7 percent more than comparable properties in the same area but outside of the district boundaries.

[15] In Kessler Vs. Grand Central District Management Association, residents within the Manhattan BID argued that the election of board members were not completed fairly in accordance with the one person one vote principle.

The ruling opposed the resident's claim, stating that a BID can have different voting classes because the results are disproportionate among property owners.

[13] Property owners and people within the district who oppose a BID may see it as an attempt to delegate control of public space to the private sector.

Without government accountability (elections), it is difficult for the public to make a change in the actions that the BID managing organization controls.

The report must first express the need for why the proposed area requires the benefits of a special district, as opposed to the remainder of the city.

[19] Downtown Revitalization is defined in terms of the North Carolina State Statute as projects that include, but are not limited to improvements in water, gas, storm, and sanitary sewer mains, power lines, improved lighting, streets and sidewalks (including easements and right of way), construction of walkways, pedestrian-friendly areas or malls, bike paths, parking facilities and traffic congestion relief.

Due to Proposition 13, adopted by the voters in 1978, California State statute no longer allows for ad valorem assessment (i.e., based on property value).

[23] New York's BID movement began in the 1960s when business owners and residents realized public resources were limited to improve commercial areas.