ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the contrasting experiences of community and Main Street Business improvement districts (BID) in the low- and high-income neighborhood groups, and the lessons they offer to development professionals contemplating the formation of a BID. In New York State, BIDs are publicly authorized, legally sanctioned, privately administered institutions that provide services designed to enhance the local business environment. The BID partners—the majority of whom are property owners, with representation from businesses, local government, and in certain instances residents—define the agenda of the organization and either directly or via contract provides services. The chapter deals with the BID model and its role in local community and economic development. BIDs can address the physical needs of an area through the provision of services such as additional sanitation collection, street lighting, capital improvements, and maintenance. Audits suggested that small BIDs in low-income communities frequently suffered from financial mismanagement problems and lack of oversight of BID activities.
