Improvement Districts

CivicCenter Group
a civic support enterprise

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS

The Economic Development Tool for the 21st Century

Businesss Improvemetn District - Graphic Imagine local businesses and property owners having the ability to revitalize their commercial area without having to fight city hall. A Business Improvement District, or "BID" as they are called, is a tool provided for by recent state legislation. It is a voluntary self-help mechanism for local business communities. The BID facilitates the pooling of funds for property improving streetscape, additional parking, increased maintenance, heightened security, local promotion, business attraction, special events, and virtually anything else the local board decides will benefit the business district. Merchants and property owners fund, structure and manage the BID, with the support of the city council. A carefully planned and properly managed BID can dramatically increase commercial activity, improve property values, and provide a source of civic pride.

A BID IS LOCAL - BIDs are established by groups of local businesses and property owners to allow the business community to assess itself for funds to be invested in a variety of local improvements or services. A typical BID will promote pedestrian oriented uses with tree planting, street furniture, flower boxes, banners, special events and parking programs. In some cases, the BID pays for increased maintenance and security over and above the baseline services provided by the municipality.

A BID IS DEMOCRATIC - BIDs are a grassroots exercise in democracy, where a community chooses to assess itself over a fixed period of time, and decides exactly where to dedicate the funds through its BID board of directors. Local government's role is to support the BID, and to facilitates the work of the local business community. Once designated by the city, The BID provides a forum for business member participation through its board of directors and committees. It also allows for a planned program to be developed with budgets contributed to by all BID members.

BIDs WORK - BIDs have been in place throughout the United States and Canada for over 30 years. Some of the better-known BIDs are Times Square, Grand Central in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Downtown Phoenix, Downtown Denver, Downtown Portland, Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade, and Old Town Pasadena. The cumulative effect of BID activities will attract and maintain customers, clients, and shoppers to the commercial area, as well as attracting business to the community.

THE LAW GOVERNING BID FORMATION - There are over 200 BIDs in the State of California alone. There are thousands of BIDs in the US and Canada. There are two different California statutes that provide for the establishment of BIDs. One focuses on assessing business licenses within the district (including landowners who lease property), and the second focuses on assessing property owners alone. The programs can also be used in combination. The local board makes all determinations and is charged with establishing a reasonable assessment formula. A BID can be formed in virtually any commercial or industrial setting.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - San Diego currently has over a dozen BIDs in place. These BIDs are predominantly located in the downtown areas which have been abandoned following an exodus to the suburbs. Many of San Diego's BIDs are linked and in fact there is a plan to connect the unserved areas with a BID in the future.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - Los Angeles currently has BIDs in place in many of its core and outlying communities. These include Westwood Village (which includes businesses in the village and property along Wilshire Blvd.), and the Downtown Los Angeles Property Owners Association , DLAPOA (which includes 56 blocks of the Garment District). In recent years Los Angeles has assisted in the formation of a number of boulevard BIDs focused on enhancing people oriented districts and improving retail activity. The first of these modern BIDs was approved by the City Council in July, 1994. More recent additions include: Hollywood, Blvd., Lincoln Heights, Fairfax, Brentwood, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Encino, and Santa Monica Blvd. at Virgil.

Getting a BID Started with
CivicCenter Group
The Experience to Build a Consensus The Vision to Achieve Your Economic Development Goals

THE TEAM

CivicCenter Group provides a wide range of services essential to the creation of private/public partnerships between municipal government, local communities, and local business groups. CivicCenter Group principals have over 50 years of experience in community and economic development leadership. CivicCenter Group offers a unique combination of talents and skills.

THE VISION

CivicCenter Group brings communities an unparalleled background of focus on results rather than on process. The team is committed to the long-term success of local communities through sustainable commercial area revitalization efforts.

THE CONCEPT

The team has the unique ability to combine public sector resources with private sector initiative for the improvement of local communities.

The CivicCenter Group team believes that new program tools such as Business Improvement Districts offer unprecedented opportunities for self-determination. Projects may also be eligible to access other public and private resources in pursuit of their plans. CivicCenter Group is committed to identifying and capitalizing on these opportunities.

THE PROCESS

One of the most important challenges in launching a new community program is the ability to build consensus among the various elements within the community. CivicCenter Group can assist in creating the consensus necessary to initiate local efforts.

The principals of the CivicCenter Group can provide a wealth of non-profit community and economic development experience. As specialists in organizational development and programming, CivicCenter Group consultants can provide the creative leadership needed to drive community organizations to the success that they envision.

CivicCenter Group consultants also possess the necessary technical and professional qualifications to guide groups through the process of developing a legal structure best suited for their needs. CivicCenter Group has the ongoing ability to coordinate with government entities and to process all necessary paperwork and applications.

CivicCenter Group consultants have developed long-term working relationships with civic and legislative leaders. This background minimizes bureaucratic delays, and allows for smooth accommodation of local policies and regulations.

THE RESULT

The team will assist in deciding upon dynamic, yet attainable goals. They will facilitate and simplify the establishment and management process. The end result will be a project designed to improve property values, increase commerce, and uplift the image of the commercial area.

CivicCenter Group
a civic support enterprise
23679 Calabasas Road #507 - Calabasas, CA 91302
818 712-9500 Fax 818 712-9182
email: projects@civiccenter.com

Project Director: Robert L. Scott