Get the Deets on the 7th Avenue BID. Info Session Today

If you haven't tripped over trash at most busy corners on 7th Ave recently then you may remember us writing about what a shit show the thoroughfare has become in recent years. Trash cans overflowing on almost every corner, you may also remember us reporting that 7th Avenue business owners were interested in coming together to form their own sort of chamber of commerce that would be able to raise funds and improve the strip, much like 5th Avenue had done. 

That proposal is closer to becoming a reality as a group of business and property owners have come together to form a BID. As defined by BID consultant Mark Caserta:

"The BID is a public and private partnership in which property owners, merchants and residents elect to assess themselves. The city collects the money and gives two lump sums to the organization each year and the organization decides together how to spend it."

The proposed BID will cover all properties from St. John's Place to 16th Street and according to a survey taken over the course of this year business owners would like to use the organization to address the obvious issue of the overflowing trash problem, festivals, nighttime security and beautification. 

According to Park Slope Stoop, the amount of money forked over to the group would be determined by the square footage of the commercial property and storefront linear feet, with a minimum yearly payment of $700. Residents only have to pay a buck and non-profits are exempt.

Councilmember Brad Lander told PS Stoop that he strongly supported the BID's creation and that his office would support the organization in any way it could. He said, "If it does get created, I think there may be some opportunities to work together around streetscape improvements, and other places we can find to bring some public resources to the table." Wooohooo city money!

Want to know more? There will be a information session tonight, Tuesday March 5th 7PM at the Greenwood Baptist Church at 461 6th Street and 7th Avenue. For the BID to be passed, 50% of residents and business owners must support it. So learn more about it by going to the session or check out this website. You can also fill out this statement of support.