A group of downtown business owners is lobbying to create a Business Improvement District [BID] in Northampton that requires City Council approval. Touting an annual budget that approaches $1 million, they cite aggressive panhandling as a chief concern among downtown merchants and promise an array of improvements, from tree plantings to graffiti removal. The report can be viewed at the second link far below.
If implemented properly a BID can provide a lift to strained city services and invigorate a downtown some believe is in a state of decline. If carried out hastily members of the public might feel part of their commons has been taken away from them.
According to the report, "A Business Improvement District (BID) is a vehicle that enables local property owners, businesses and residents to finance supplemental services and improvements beyond those already provided by the city of Northampton. The BID is funded through a fee for service levied against properties within the BID. Property owners within the BID determine the level of fees. The fee is collected by the city of Northampton and returned to the BID in its entirety to be used to execute the approved BID plan. A nonprofit corporation comprised of property owners in the BID is responsible for management of the District through a Board of Directors. Property owners within the proposed BID make the decision to purchase supplemental services and programs they feel enhance the business and residential environment in the BID. Once the BID is established, payment of the fee for services by those property owners who participate is mandatory unless the BID is dissolved. Failure to pay the fee results in the same penalties associated with a failure to pay real property taxes, subject to prior mortgages. This guarantees that everyone participating in the BID contributes to its expense."
After a quick read I offer this commentary for what it’s worth:
- Will the BID utilize green fertilizers and pesticides and who will own any trees the BID might plant?
- Will the BID invite elected officials to sit on the board of directors? Currently the BID is calling for financial contributions from the city but doesn’t appear to have a seat or seats reserved on the steering committee for elected officials.
- How will conducting the BID’s collections impact the city’s tax collector’s office?
- How much will the BID cost city taxpayers and will their books be open for public review?
- Will implementing a BID cause a showdown with the American Civil Liberties Union regarding the rights of people to congregate along a public way and/or panhandle?
- Will the BID seek additional regulations on sandwich signs, newspaper boxes, sidewalk tables, performing artists and other artisans?
- What are the details of the outdoor market the BID is proposing?
- How many businesses will free ride, that is, not join the BID but enjoy its benefits?
- The BID includes the Central Business District [CBD]. As the CBD expands will the BID also expand?
- What kind of questions will the City Council ask and how will the Council conduct its public hearing on the matter?
- Does "branding" downtown equate to the privatization of our main thoroughfare?
- Should Northampton continue the practice of a uniform tax rate across commercial and residential properties?
- As a prominent member, how will Smith College influence the BID and for what ends?
- Will the BID’s "unified voice" drown out the legitimate concerns of residents not affiliated with a special interest group?
- How will the BID impact property values?
- Is the BID’s fee structure equitable? p. 38
- What does the BID have planned with regards to parking, pedestrians, bicyclists and the homeless?
Apparently the city of Northampton has agreed to enter into a memorandum of understanding as follows:
- Funding for the BID at $35,000 annually
- Financing for capital equipment for maintenance programs
- Dedicated police patrol with the BID
- Municipal Department support for BID events
- Enhanced snow removal policies
- Multi-year capital program for street , sidewalk and park improvements
- Street Trees
- Participation in panhandling intervention efforts and ordinances
- Support for the Academy of Music
- Funding for a contract with the BID for trash removal
- District billing and collection at no cost to the BID
- Implement bike paths within the district
- Continue ownership of decorative light poles downtown and to major maintenance or repair to the extent feasible
Members of the Downtown Steering Committee include:
- Daniel Yacuzzo
- Joseph Blumenthal
- Jack Finn
- Monsour Ghalibaf
- Anthony Gleason
- Douglas Kohl
- Richard Madowitz
- Robert McGovern
- Richard Rescia
- Suzanne Beck
- Ann Burke
Check out the operations plan for yourself and weigh in below, at the public hearing, or through your elected representative. There is a lot to consider.
http://www.northamptondowntown.com/
http://www.northamptondowntown.com/pdf/NohoBID_OperationsPlan.pdf
