Geneva BID - A Survey for Action

Considering Change in Downtown Geneva

This electronic package is as a primer for the Strategic Planning Retreat I have been asked to help organize for the Geneva Business Improvement District Board. The package includes some new data to more fully understand what the BID represents, some background material, and key questions to inform the planning session when it occurs. The heart of this document, however, is the results of a survey written and conducted by Catalyst FLX, my consulting group. The survey was developed after extensive interviewing of a sample of downtown leaders, board members and business tenants within the BID footprint. Prof. Jack Harris, a principal of Catalyst FLX, wrote the anonymous survey.

The survey attracted 80 responses, a more than 50 percent engagement rate, and healthy representation of downtown’s various business and property owners.

The survey participation and the results revealed some good news for downtown. There is an active, engaged and passionate population of both business owners and operators. There is a strong pulse and a sense that community focus and energy abounds in its newly redesigned streets. There are many opinions and ideas circulating about downtown’s present and future.

The survey also revealed some important issues suggesting the BID has some work to do in delivering value and communicating impacts to its membership and the community at large.

This pre-meeting package is meant to raise as many questions and issues for consideration as possible as the board examines its operations, its role in the community and future activities.

We ask that you please take the time to read this document and get familiar with the survey results in advance of the Strategic Planning Retreat. Four hours is not a long time to discuss as many of the topics the board has asked to consider. Doing this homework will allow us to get more quickly to the heart of matters.

Thanks for this opportunity to help. From the coming session and the preliminary work already conducted with your new executive director, I continue to believe Geneva will benefit greatly from your efforts.

Chris Lavin Catalyst FLX

BID Board Retreat Agenda

TOPICS:

Board Governance, Development. A working board has committees that give a path for agenda items later brought to the board. For consideration: Finance, Board Development, Development, Events, HR, Public Policy. Chris Lavin

Organization Vision, Mission. An organization that started to simply beautify downtown has partnered with the city on a wider range of activities. How do we describe the mission going forward for a downtown operating with retail change and a tourism/hospitality boom? Catherine Price

Nonprofit Mission. Looking at the range of activities of other, more well funded BIDs, are there civic activities that could benefit members and the community while increasing revenue streams? Chris Lavin

Public Policy and Politics: The survey was interestingly of two voices on this general subject. Decidedly against partisan politics, but craving leadership on key issues. Jack Harris

POSSIBLE ACTIONS:

Establishment of Board Committees, Bylaw Revisions, Updates. Catherine Price. 

Targets for Committees Once Established. 

Discussion of Public Positions: Taxes, Lakefront/Downtown Development, Economic Development/Downtown, Zoning, City/Town Services. 

The Geneva BID should consider asking Catalyst FLX to help it establish an interactive, member driven website with downtown and civic events and issues as its focus. Such a site establishes a one-stop marketplace of information completely within your own control and, eventually, a potential revenue opportunity based on traffic and event promotion.

Survey for Action

QUESTION 1: What is your relation to the Geneva BID: Answer Choices Responses

BID Property Owner 30.38% 24 BID Property Owner in Residence at the Property 7.59% 6 Leasing Tenant of a BID Property 49.37% 39 Other (please specify) 12.66% 10 Answered 79 Skipped 0

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What is your relation to the Geneva BID: Responses

BID Property Owner BID Property Owner in Residence at the Property

Leasing Tenant of a BID Property Other (please specify)

GENEVA BID - SURVEY for ACTION

QUESTION 2: Are you a member of the Geneva BID Board? Answer Choices Responses

Yes 15.19% 12 No 84.81% 67 Answered 79

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Are you a member of the Geneva BID Board?

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GENEVA BID - SURVEY for ACTION

QUESTION 3: Which answer describes your activity in downtown Geneva? Answer Choices Responses

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Retailer 64.10% 50 Office 30.77% 24 Residential 5.13% 4 Answered 78 Skipped 1 Retailer Office Residential 0.00%

Which answer describes your activity in downtown Geneva? Responses

GENEVA BID - SURVEY for ACTION

QUESTION 4: How long have you been in downtown Geneva as an owner or a renter? Answer Choices Responses

Less than six months 2.56% 2 Six months to a year 3.85% 3 1 2 years 6.41% 5 3 5 years 21.79% 17 6 or more years 65.38% 51 Answered 78

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How long have you been in downtown Geneva as an owner or a renter? Responses

Less than six months Six months to a year 1 - 2 years 3 - 5 years 6 or more years

GENEVA BID - SURVEY for ACTION

QUESTION 5: Which of these three Geneva BID services do you value the most:

Answer Choices

Responses

Street cleaning and landscape maintenance 68.00% 51 Event creation 21.33% 16 Marketing and communication about Geneva downtown 41.33% 31 Comment 13 Answered 75 Skipped 4

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Which of these three Geneva BID services do you value the most: Responses

Street cleaning and landscape maintenance Event creation Marketing and communication about Geneva downtown

COMMENTS:

Some BID events seem more beneficial to downtown residents and businesses than others

Haven’t used bid marketing because it hasn’t been super appealing to me as far as value for dollar as a retailer

Snow removal and landscaping All three are of equal importance There should be a “none of the above” Snow removal would be nice.

We're in the communication business ourselves, so this is important

People need quality and consistency over quantity. The Bid should go back to focusing on the original identity and purpose of what the Bid is supposed to do. Show value through consistency. I love the fun events to look forward to!

Nothing. Everything that bid does the city workers can do. BID does nothing for the business

None… Event creations are haphazardly put together if at all. Marketing and communication about Geneva downtown is nonexistent. There’s always trash outside of my store along with flowers being ripped out of my flower box weekly. All three are vital. These are all important

GENEVA BID - SURVEY for ACTION

QUESTION 6: Do you think that the downtown streets are adequately maintained?

Answer Choices

Responses

Yes 74.03% 57 No 25.97% 20 Comments 15 Answered 77 Skipped 2

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Responses

We are not up to our standards. Basics are not getting done very clean Weeds all over...sidewalks dirty with gum and spots..all lighted stanchions need to be painted gloss black...city buildings have peeling paint or bricks crumbling

As a business owner, I have never seen my street cleaned, except by business owners.

For the most part! Although its been hard to tell post construction! They were. The future is questionable based on new streetscape and available staff Too much garbage and weeds

Do you think that the downtown streets are adequately maintained?

Snow removal would be nice.

Yes and no. The cleaning is very spotty. Sometimes the guys come out and clean. It seems like it is not consistent Yes, they were when Don managed them. They are getting better, but not having Don at the Bid is a huge loss.

Great job! For the most part It is very inconsistent. Looks awful. Says your supposed to remove snow. But business owners have to clear their walls themselves

Snow clean up off sidewalks needs improvement.

GENEVA BID - SURVEY for ACTION

QUESTION 7: Do you think that the downtown landscaping is adequately maintained?

Answer Choices

Responses

Yes 64.10% 50 No 35.90% 28 Comments 19 Answered 78 Skipped 1

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I believe the corners have been collecting a lot of trash, weeds and just don’t look as lively as I’d hoped. We spend a lot of time cleaning it out ourselves for the sake of our storefront. I have seen a little more help throughout the past few weeks. It is on the way to being maintained, we still don't know what the streetscape will look like.

New construction and landscaping is not good Need dedicated budget to keep up with it. Inconsistent. Often sad looking. Clear that theres no plan! Not since the construction but not entirely sure what’s BID vs Nardozzi! WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS OVER TIME.

Do you think that the downtown landscaping is adequately maintained?

Again it was. The new planting are questionable The boxes were probably the least maintained / watered It could be better. We've maintained our own front landscape Spotty since Don Liberatore left Same response as above. Don cared about the trees and plants and made sure they were watered and things were kept neat. The Bid should focus on consistent downtown beautification with additional staff for this job alone, and the board should be volunteering their own time to subsidize what is missing. most of the time It is very inconsistent Adequate is not the same as well. There s a lot of room for improvement. For instance, look at the New median that’s put it on five and 20. Half of it’s filled with flowers the other half is filled with weeds. The current landscaping is an embarrassment New landscaping is awful not a fault of bid but the project sucks Just look at it

GENEVA BID - SURVEY for ACTION

QUESTION 8: Do you think that the Geneva BID is doing a good job of event creation?

Answer Choices

Responses

Yes 74.32% 55 No 25.68% 19 Comments 20 Answered 74 Skipped 5

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Responses

I am not clear on what % of time should be spent on events and what % BID should be spending on assisting customers. I am also not clear on the purpose of event creation. If it is to get people into the businesses the events should be more business focused. Not sure Needs to be a catalyst, but needs to collaborate with other to execute. Although there may be room for improvement. Events are stuck in the 90s. Events, even large ones like cruisin' night do not bring me business NOT REALLY CONNECTED TO BID EVENTS not important for my business

Do you think that the Geneva BID is doing a good job of event creation?

Future events will be determined by availability of volunteers and staff time

The events do not bring any business to my business; third party events are more focused on bringing people who will enter and spend money in shops and restaurants.

We have never been contacted about any event I believe that BID needs to focus on more events for children and young adults. Not everything needs to be focused around food and beer. Why dont we have first Friday's? Why dont we have a santa village with vendors, food trucks, games and rides for kids? BID caters to the old guard. Cruising night? Its not 1983. You can have events that bring us together as a community and builds revenue. You just have to stop doing the same boring events every year. Try something new and make it a big deal.

ok but can be better

The Bid has tried in recent years to get involved in too many things and has tried to introduce or take on too many new projects and events. This confusion and inconsistency has created a disconnect that’s lost credibility and any kind of a an attentive, local following. Too many new things are announced without proper planning, short notice and then have adequate follow through.

Great job pulling Cruisin' Night off last minute! Nope, hardly anything

I head good things about the events this year but wish the downtown stored could be included without them leaving their actual storefront to participate.

Not sure! Much of the marketing is geared at tourism. My business is related to household use ( sales and service of household appliances) The only event I can think of is Cruisin' Night and I'm not a fan of it. I have to admit tht it is a beloved event and brings lots of people, but it's a redneck superbowl.

I feel as though all events that are created downtown involve Linden Street and most others are forgot about. Need to get events operations set up- City did at one time

GENEVA BID - SURVEY for ACTION

QUESTION 9: Do you think that the Geneva BID is doing a good job of marketing and communication about Geneva downtown?

Answer Choices

Responses

Yes 58.57% 41 No 41.43% 29 Comment 18 Answered 70 Skipped 9

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COMMENTS:

As someone who’s been in business over 5 years now, I haven’t had much communication/relation with BID. My first experience was for the sign approval meeting. not sure Don't receive emails about events Doing better but needs a proprietary way to gain traffic and dependence.

Responses

Do you think that the Geneva BID is doing a good job of marketing and communication about Geneva downtown?

Much better recently.

Never seen any compelling BID marketing. Often I dont even see marketing for events. Not overall but recently I have been loving the weekend “things to do” posts!! NA can always use improvement The amount of activity downtown is proof that marketing is working Communication.

At the Finger Lakes Times, we are more than happy to publicize any and all BID events but it seems we don't get many releases from them an ok job. There should be at least two emails sent out each month. The City has improved their updates and communication but the BID remains inconsistent or absent.

I love the new social media posts with "what's happening..." Where's the live music calender I see things popping up occasionally. Where does BID get their info to promote?

No marketing plan

GENEVA BID - SURVEY for ACTION

QUESTION 10: Do downtown event street closures benefit your business? Answer Choices

Responses

Yes 30.26% 23 No 51.32% 39 Comment 18.42% 14 Answered 76 Skipped 3

Do downtown event street closures benefit your business?

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Not a business owner Never have understood pushback on this. Downtown activity is a positive. Linden street should be no parking. Preferably, pedestrians only Street closures always inhibit business for us so far They make it difficult for people with bikes that need to be serviced to get through the crowds. Same with selling a bike, too many people to safely ride and test the bike only helps in that it is a benefit for other businesses Anything that brings people downtown indirectly benefits my business. Don't own property or business It attracts a significant number of people downtown and they spillover to Seneca and Exchange street.

No direct benefit, but I understand their value to the overall community Don't hurt or benefit not mine but it helps many others so that is good They only cover some street sections Hasn’t made a difference

GENEVA BID - SURVEY for ACTION

QUESTION 11: How responsive has Geneva BID been to your service needs?

Answer Choices

Responses

Extremely responsive 7.59% 6 Very responsive 21.52% 17 Somewhat responsive 25.32% 20 Not so responsive 7.59% 6 Not at all responsive 3.80% 3 Not applicable 34.18% 27 Answered 79

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How responsive has Geneva BID been to your service needs? Responses

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GENEVA BID - SURVEY for ACTION

QUESTION 12: Which of the following words would you use to describe the Geneva BID? Select all that apply.

Answer Choices

Responses

High quality 15.58% 12 Useful 66.23% 51 Good value for money 11.69% 9 Poor Value for the money 12.99% 10 Ineffective 16.88% 13 Poor quality 6.49% 5 Comments 11 Answered 77 Skipped 2

Which of the following words would you use to describe the Geneva BID? Select all that apply.

Ineffective Poor quality 0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00%

High quality Useful Good value for money Poor Value for the money

COMMENTS:

Responses

In the past I would have said "poor quality" or "ineffective." I remain uncertain if there is value for the money, but I do see recent improvements in the caliber of events and level of communication that make me feel optimistic.

I am currently unaware of the BID's benefits to my business

Remember when the mayor, city manager, and others protested my store over a ridiculous rumor over social media?! I still remember. And I yet to have gotten an apology

The BID is doing what it was designed to do. I’d recommend eliminating BID and creating a new entity that focuses on event creation only; move cleaning back to the city so it can focus on attracting new people to downtown who spend money in restaurants, shops and hotels.

Ghostly

As stated, would still like to receive more communications What are the daily, weekly and monthly deliverables to the community?

BID suffers from lack of direction, leadership, and funding. We look forward to supporting the new manager. I was involved in the bid for 30 years. over those years retail has changed and evolved in many ways. To stay relevant the bid needed to change in order to serve this new age of retail. I feel it is trying to do this. I think it will only get better under the new director

GENEVA BID - SURVEY for ACTION

QUESTION 13: How would you rate the quality of Geneva BID services?

Answer Choices

Responses

Very high quality 7.69% 6

High quality 28.21% 22 Neither high nor low quality 52.56% 41 Low quality 8.97% 7 Very low quality 2.56% 2 Answered 78 Skipped 1

How would you rate the quality of Geneva BID services?

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GENEVA BID - SURVEY for ACTION

QUESTION 14: How would you rate the value for money that you pay, directly or indirectly as an owner or tenant, of the Geneva BID services?

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Responses

Excellent 9.59% 7 Above average 17.81% 13 Average 42.47% 31 Below average 20.55% 15 Poor 9.59% 7 Comment 10 Answered 73 Skipped 6

Geneva BID services?

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COMMENTS:

Responses

Not sure what I pay towards Geneva BID I don’t pay anything I don’t contribute monetarily very often so far! I don’t know how much I pay I am not an owner or a tenant so pay no money The BID does not do anything to improve my business if nothing else keeping downtown looking good is wort the price 23 years I’ve been paying and nothing from bid

How would you rate the value for money that you pay, directly or indirectly as an owner or tenant, of the

The Geneva BID has yet to do anything beneficial for my business. They ask as though they want downtown business to thrive but do nothing to help the business that are not selling alcohol of some kind. The return on investment is very low

GENEVA BID - SURVEY for ACTION

QUESTIOIN 15: Is there a model downtown that Geneva, as the central Finger Lakes city, should emulate?

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COMMENTS:

Unsure

Yes, Skaneateles and Ithaca

Here are a few BIDs I have visited or participated in conversations with: https://www.downtownlivingston.org/ https://www.downtownithaca.com/about-dia/ https://www.gafferdistrict.com/ https://boulderdowntown.com/about/business improvement district

I believe the growth in Geneva is a great model for other cities Downtown is a mess Our downtown is better but Canadaigua is cleaner with better flowers N/a Ithaca No Skaneateles or canandaigua Clean and Free Need to define a path with clarity, and set our own standard. Corning seems to have a vibrancy that I would like for our downtown. Skaneateles, Great Barrington, MA, Hudson. Towns that feel like they have some influence from a younger generation. I feel like we’re headed in the right direction and have a unique downtown environment!

Ithaca is always great inspiration

SKANEATELES

Washington DC Skaneatles

May be Skanieateles Ithaca or Skaneateles. No

Instead of this survey, I would suggest actually going around and talking to people

Ellicottville NY Skaneateles NY Ithica

Staunton, VA is a similarly well-run model Don't know, but I would say Geneva needs to be Geneva Skaneateles, New York Corning. Skaneatles. Penn Yan The Geneva Bid is not a regional marketing organization for the Finger Lakes nor is it an official tourism office, or a professional event planning agency. Stop trying to duplicate services. Stop letting the board over complicate matters with their own personal goals. Let the other professionals that run the regional agencies do their jobs that they already have the skills and funding to do.

Canandaigua Greenville, SC - is stunning, if you've ever been! Saratoga

More development of lake front line Canandaigua As a highly diverse city for the area there needs to be more effort to be inclusive and set an example of what that should look like I see a lot of activity and engagement in Ithaca and Corning. Canandaigua, Fairport, Auburn all downtowns are somewhat unique. it should play on its strengths Not sure

The Burlington VT model is great. Canandaigua Canandaguia Napa, CA Greenville, SC

Promote all businesses

Skaneateles

Geneva has its own plan and it should follow it and not try to be some other city

GENEVA BID - SURVEY for ACTION

QUESTION 16: Strategically, are there types of business tenants that Geneva BID ought to pursue to locate in Geneva?

Answered 50 Skipped 29

No more bars!!!

Would love to see a small grocery option downtown Yes, boutiques, healthy eatery's and convenience store Tourism, entertainment , cider/wine/beer Retail, retail, retail More downtown living and grants Tech, IT, financial services, bio chem Cansy store Yes

Artisan food and beverage Boutique retail and independent restaurants. Full service restaurants, lunch places, Outdoors store/outdoor equipment rentals, pet store, bodega, sandwich shop, pharmacy, music venues. Something other than pizza shops and low income housing Viable & accessible retail and some businesses that offer experiences for all ages like “paint your own pottery”, recreation based businesses that are specifically food or drink related.

Small Grocer

Kid friendly businesses (arcade?)

Sporting goods

Hardware store

Makers Spaces (steam connection)

Pet Shop

Coffee Shop Book Shop

Men's Suit Shop

Candy Shop

A cafe. Since Opus closed there is no non alcohol gathering spot. SOMETHING FOR THE VISITORS TO ENJOY. More wine events like FLXcursion Groceries Aldi Tyes of gift shops, restaurants that would attract tourists as well as locals. Book store and arts supply store would fill a void since the Store at HWS is no longer a book store.

Retailers, restaurants, art galleries, hotels, special exhibits, conferences; create a zone prohibiting office space (grandfather existing); any vacant / abandoned building should pay a special tax / assessment. No Anything tourism/lake related....hotels, boat tours, boating related, boutique type shopping.... think Watkins Glen Yes, tech start ups and renewable energy companies. A coffee shop downtown that opens early would be ideal. Geneva Gelato does not open early enough. Simple sweets is not opened everyday and not opened early enough. Monaco's not downtown enough Co-work is a solid model. Additional retail (including replacing small market) is critical. No, not really, I don't think Restaurants, performance spaces, etc.

High Quality Restarurants and retail and service that cater to recreation and tourism Coffee shop!!!!!!!!!!!!!! clothing/shoe retailer?

Shopping . Book store , clothing , entice people to stay downtown before or after a meal more gift like shops Lake front development New young diverse entrepreneurs that can help provide the spark that Geneva is lacking Would love to see a shoe store and apparel. Art, Music, Clothing Retail traditional retail will probably never come back to downtowns. ex. clothing footwear hardwear music. It has to be a mix of food drink and micro business. I think attracting a successful business to open a location here

would work. they would have the finacial strength to sustain.we have a few of these now Not sure

Yes! We need more anchor retail stores open Mon - Sat regular retail hours. Traditionally, Lynch Furniture, Area Records, Super Casuals, DiDuro's Shoes, Geneva Bicycle Center, Mother Earth etc. had actual inventory and a high yearly dollar amount of sales and were reliably open when people needed them. These are/were destination stores that draw people from other towns. Area, Diduro's, Mother Earth and Super Casuals are gone (Super Casuals has no brick and mortar anymore). So many retail stores downtown have a paltry retail dollar amount in stock at any given time. If they sold everything they have every month - 12 annual inventory turns, amazing - there is still no way to make enough gross profit to pay the bills and make a liveable net profit, let alone pay a livable wage to an employee. Too many stores struggle and are basically hobbies to their owners. Long-time downtown merchants have, for years, been able to see that second hand store, craft store, knicknack or super niche fashion shop open up and accurately predict they'll be gone in 3/6/9 months etc. Pursue specialty retail that will have at LEAST $30k in inventory on display at all times and hopefully $100k+. It's hard to say exactly what those stores should be because it really depends on having a skilled, motivated owner/operator. Traditionally, if a business has opened up without the owner on site, it cycles through managers and closes. Perhaps sporting goods (we lost Olympia Sports 2 yrs ago), shoes (Davidson's Shoes in Canandaigua is a great example - brick n mortar with a huge online business), music (instruments, repairs, lessons etc.), pet store? Geneva has so many nice restaurants now and that is great, but we need to keep an eye on how many trendy brewery/restaurants open up. They'll dillute themselves and everyone suffers. Other useful businesses are truly needed service industries like barbers, salons, pet grooming etc ( and others I'm not thinking of) though we have a lot of barbershops right now.

Retail

Art gallery, boutique shopping and recreation sports a wine and beer arts and craft festival

I feel as though the Geneva bed can’t even take care of the businesses that are already downtown. In my opinion those need to be taken care of first before pursuing more.

Tasting Rooms

Boutique retail

More cafe type places

High end spas/nail salons

A good variety, less bars, less repetition Lakefront Resort. Not the Ramada. A real resort.

Boutique retailers

More retail Yes as listed in the report

GENEVA BID - SURVEY for ACTION

QUESTION 17: Should the Geneva BID Board take public positions on local issues such as lakefront development or city property tax rates?

Answer Choices

Responses

Yes 66.67% 46 No 33.33% 23 Comments 13 Answered 69

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Should the Geneva BID Board take public positions on local issues such as lakefront development or city property tax rates?

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COMMENTS:

Leave the lake front alone!!!

Responses

Where appropriate and not too divisive. Need to be mindful of statutory limitation. There should be a tax imposed on building owners with unfilled storefronts

I've never been asked my opinion once. Do not develop the lakefront Yes on lakefront development NO on city property taxes

It is not a political organization. Focus on attracting people and business downtown. No, I think that would only hinder their work

BID needs to be a player, not a bystander. The city council is a mess and between council concentrate on business

Yes, if the lakefront gets developed, it will be bad for the area. Our tax rate discourages development

GENEVA BID - SURVEY for ACTION

QUESTION 18: Should the Geneva BID Board express preferences in local and state political races?

Answer Choices

Responses

Yes 11.11% 8 No 88.89% 64 Comment 9 Answered 72

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Should the Geneva BID Board express preferences in local and state political races?

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COMMENTS:

Unsure

Absolutely not!!

Responses

Kinda like how they joined BLM and protested mt business embarrassing me and my employees over a social media rumor?? I'm still waiting on a PUBLIC APOLOGY

That is not the purpose of the BID

Absolutely not. This should not even be considered. This is an entity focused on the attraction of people and business to downtown Geneva. Even posing this question is problematic as it suggests someone is considering it. This a joke?

BID needs to be leading, not following. Help elect a city council that makes good decisions and works for the common good. concentrate on business They should express needs of downtown

Other BIDs

Formed in 1986, the Geneva Business Improvement District was the second BID in the state. The 18.5 acre district has 501(c)(4) nonprofit status under the name Geneva Business District Management Association. The organization reported revenues of $217,931 in 2020, according to its most recently available tax return. Expenses, primarily for compensation and employee benefits, totaled $128,064.

Upstate BIDs

Geneva's budget pales in comparison to that of Ithaca's BID, which reported revenues of more than $1 million in 2020. Its expenses also exceeded $1 million. (See the case study in the following section.) For purposes of comparison, we compiled budget figures for other small city BIDs in Upstate New York: city revenues expenses population Auburn

Ithaca

Schenectady

$1,072,087 $1,088,478 31,845

$781,398 $694,670 66,879

Troy $219,878 $266,136 50,684

Source: 2020 tax returns, IRS

* After a state audit of the Hornell BID, Hornell Partners for Growth, the executive director was charged with grand larceny and falsifying records. She pleaded guilty to grand larceny in 2022, admitting having stolen $1,711 in cash from Hornell’s annual Fourth of July festival, a BID fundraiser.

Events organized by other BIDs include:

art fairs block parties car shows

Christmas in the City / Holiday Parade

Cinqo de Mayo celebration community cinema craft shows dance performances film festivals fitness in the park sessions flea markets historic tours ice cream socials music competitions pet costume contests pet parades Plaid Fridays public markets PumpkinPaloozas restaurant weeks scarecrow contests scavenger hunts shop local days sidewalk art workshops Small Shop Saturday street painting festivals summer concerts

Trunk or Treat (Halloween candy from decorated cars) Victorial Strolls window decorating contests

wine walks wreath contests

Some

Ithaca BID: A Case Study

Ithaca is bigger, but its market is just 53,000, not hundreds of thousands. It has a topography that lends itself to concentration of assets in its 22-block downtown. Like Geneva, however, its main employers are nonprofits, not well-heeled private corporations with deep pockets for civic donations. In sum, there are some lessons about its founding, mission and growth that may inspire some new Geneva thinking.

When it began, the Ithaca BID, which calls itself the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, generated an assessment of just $134,000. Today, the same area generates $700,000 for Alliance operations or roughly 50 percent of a roughly $1.2 million annual budget. The remaining revenues come from

BIDs offer loans to members. The Webster BID, for example, allows members to borrow up to $2,000 interest free for property improvements, seasonal inventory funding and/or general business needs.

both City and County support, grants, and a relatively small profit generated by a relatively large event revenue operation. It is clear both the city and county count on the Ithaca BID to be a significant player in economic development. While among its 11 employees it does include a cleaning crew, it sees its main mission as an “Economic Development Organization.” It conducts two strategic planning operations, one for its own planning and a second it leads for the downtown merchants group.

In sum, it sees itself as leading the largest commercial and retail operation for the community.

Other interesting details:



It owns and circulates its own information, publishing regular guides to downtown activities and services for local residents and visitors and generates revenue from advertising in those documents and web pages.



It plans and executes events that bring in $250,000 per year, but generates only $65,000 in profits from those activities.



Its event operation, in partnership with the city and county, maintains event equipment it makes available to BID members for their special events and, when possible, offers technical assistance to encourage more downtown events not sponsored directly by the BID.



It operates solely as a 501(c) 3 and audits independently each year.

Potential Lessons



Downtown is an economic engine that, if harnessed creatively, can generate significant marketing money, and attract and promote growth.



Collaboration with the City and County will generate increased sales taxes.



The BID’s ambition and mission determine its eventual revenues and impact.



Events are valued for traffic, not revenue.



As “owners” of a downtown, its merchants and property owners are shepherds of a community asset harnessed and curated for growth and activity.

 Nonprofit status seems to help Ithaca generate grants and wider support.



Perhaps “BID” is an oft-putting and technical term. Maybe a rebranding would improve public awareness of mission.

What follows is the 2022 Ithaca budget, minus a $200,000 Employee Retention/COVID grant that also helped gird the operation this year. It gives a more detailed look at spending and revenues.

See the Downtown Ithaca website for more on its mission and services:

Downtown Ithaca Alliance Budget

2022

Approved Dec. 20,2021

REVENUES

2022 Proposed 2021 Adopted

BID ASSESSMENT- 2022 $ 622,873 299,350,00 0

BID ASSESSMENT 2021 $ 616,605 297,338,00 0

2022 City Tax Rate 11.89

2021 City Tax Rate 11.85

2022 BID Assess Rate Base 2.08

2021 BID Assess Rate Base 2.07375

2021 BID Assess Rate Commons pledge $ 65,184 0.21923

2021 BID Assess Rate Mitigation $ 22,902 0.07703

2022 BID Assess Rate Commons pledge $ 65,847 0.21997

2022 BID Assess Rate Mitigation $ 23,135 0.07729

2022 BID Assess Total Rate 2.37800

2021 BID Assess Total Rate 2.37000

2020 BID Assess. 279,698,00 0

2020 City Tax Rate $11.77

2020 BID Assess. Rate base $ 2.05975

2020 BID Assess. Rate Commons pledge $ 0.23540

2020 Bid Assess. Rate Total $ 2.35400

GOVERNMENT FUNDING

City of Ithaca 40,000 40000

City of Ithaca Contract 21,000 21000

Tompkins County (STPB Fest.) 28,709 22,080

Total Govt. Funding $ 89,709 $ 83,080

OTHER INCOME

Banner Income 4800 4800

Downtown Environ Income

Ambassadors STPB 36,790 21,160 Ambassadors TCAT 12,500 12,500 Ambassadors City 35,000 35,000 Supplies

Interest 500 500

Visitor guide income 18,000 18,000

Annual dinner income 5,500 1,000

Misc. Income 5,000 2,500 WIFI Income 12,000 12,000 Vecino 30,000 Total Other Income 125,290 $ 137,460

FUND RAISING

Institutional 6,000 6,000

Other Grants 5,000 5,000 Sponsor art

New Corporate Sponsors 1,000 New grant rev. 10000 Student Marketing Welcome Weekend 2500

Other Contributions 5,000 5,000 NYMS Grants (117 Cayuga/100 West) 33,000

TDM Grant payroll/fringe/prog reimb 110,000 101,860

Total Fund Raising 171,500 $ 118,860

SPECIAL EVENTS INCOME

Chili Cook Off 53,000 7,500 Ithaca Festival Craft Fair 36,000

Summer Concerts 42,000 28,000

Farmers' markets

Apple Harvest Fest 52,000 27,500

Gallery Night 10,000 9,600

Winter Light 30,000 18,000 Chowder 7,500

Santa Office Worker Event 1,000

Bite of Ithaca 7,500

Fashion Week 2,000 Halloween 500 Downtown Living tour 2,000 Total Special Event Income 223,000 $ 111,100

Miscellaneous Bus Mktg 1000 0

POC business support 10,000 5000

Market data 700 500

Retail Lease Trac 0

General Comm. Outreach 1500 1500

Collateral materials folio 3500

Collateral materials CD/DVD 1500

Strategy Printing 0

Conferences IDA 6000 5000

Business Workshops 1250 1000

Recruitment program implementation 2500 5000

ICSC 250 250

Comparable city visit 2000 2000

Succession Planning 500

Classified ad listings 0

NYMS Admin costs LeBella 33000

Feasibility study virtual downtown marketplace 10000

Distribution of materials 2000

Employee Training program

Miscellaneous 1000

Total BUSINESS RETENTION & DEVELOPMENT 79700 $ 41,750

DOWNTOWN OPERATIONS 2021 Adopted

Carry forward project Home Dairy Alley 6000

Outdoor Sculpture/Art in the Air

Dog Waste bag stations 500 Mural Art program 1000 1000

Downtown Environment base program 43000 20000

Downtown Environment: Supplies & Uniforms 6000 3000

Downtown Environment: Commons supplement 30000 35000

Banners 4000 4000

Holiday decorations 5000 10000

Downtown Ped. Signs 0 15000

Downtown Pedestrian Counters 8500 8500

TDM Planning (non staff) 30000 30000

Social Service Intervention person 15000 15000

Temp. bus depot amenities 1000

Tables/chairs/umbrellas 0

Permanent tree/pavilion lights 0 0

Public WIFI 21000 21,000

On Demand Transp pilot 20,000

Night Ambassadors 25000

Total DOWNTOWN OPERATIONS 194500 $ 184,000

DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY EVENTS 2021 Adopted

Chili Cook Off 33000 7,500

Ithaca Festival Craft Fair 16000

Summer Concerts 35000 32100

BIPOC Markets 3000 3800

Apple Harvest Fest 31000 6800 Gallery Night 9000 6320 Winter Light 35000 21000 Chowder 3980

Santa 1800 Office Worker Event 500

Bite of Ithaca 8000 Fashion Week 2500

Halloween/Wizards 1000 500

Downtown Living tour 2000 Event STP Shared Equipment & Web site 5000 DEI monthly activites 2000

Total DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY EVENTS $ 170,000 $ 96,800

MARKETING & MEMBER SERVICES

2021 Adopted

Downtown Branding Program 0 0

Merchant promotions/other 0

Merchant meetings/networking events 1000

General retail advertising 22000 20000

Placer market data service 12500

Student Marketing 5000 5000

Tourism marketing fees 1500 1500

Tourism Marketing 18000 18000

Conference marketing

Holiday Marketing 10000 8000

Sidewalk Sale Days 1500

Downtown tear map 1300 1250

Parking campaign (validation) 10000

Downtown videos

Electronic gift certificate program 8000 5000 Web Site Maintenance 10000 2000

Archived webinars 0 500

E news bulletins 1000 1000

DIA Welcome packet/District Handbook 0

IDA Benchmarking comparison project 2500

Online selling assistance program 5000 Communications needs 1000

25th Anniv of DIA 2500

Mitigation marketing 15000 30000

Total MARKETING & MEMBER SERVICES 110300 $ 109,750

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

2021 Adopted

Executive Committee fund 10000 9,600

Annual Meeting 1500 1,000 Annual Dinner 4500 0

Committees & Forums 1500 Strategic Plan Printing & Outreach 0 500 Construction Fund 20,000

Total EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 17500 $ 31,100

OFFICE OPERATIONS

2021 Adopted

Computer maintenance & repair 2500 4,000

Temporary Help/interns 1000 500 Dues & Subscriptions 2000 2000

Equipment/Software 5000 2500 Insurance 20000 18000

Miscellaneous/training 2500 1000

Office Expenses & Supplies 3500 3000

Postal expenses 1000 700

Printing 1000 700

Professional Fees audit 5500 5400

Professional Fees bookkeeper 15000 12000

Professional Fees legal Rent & Utilities 35000 32000

Added Rent

Storage 2500 2300

Photocopier 4500 4500

Telephone 5000 5000 Parking 6000 5000 Travel local 300 250

Internet Access/Hosting 3000 3000

Temp receptionist @25 hrs 0

HR contractor 9600 8400

Total OFFICE OPERATIONS 124900 $ 110,250

STAFFING 2021 Adopted

Payroll Staff (incl. TDM) 586297 565487 Taxes/withholding 43972 42412 Fringe Benefits 96000 88503 Payroll service 5400 5245

Total STAFFING 731669 $ 701,647 OPERATING CUSHION FUND UNBUDGETED REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES COMMONS REBUILD PLEDGE 50000 50000 TOTAL EXPENSES $ 1,478,569 $ 1,325,297

NET INCOME (137,216) (70,105)

Property Inventory

The current Geneva assessment roll lists 183 parcels in the Business Improvement District. These properties are assessed at a total taxable value of $41.5 million. (This figure excludes exempt properties such as nonprofits and city owned properties.)

The BID properties comprise a substantial portion of all property in Geneva, which encompasses 4,563 parcels assessed at a total $497 million.

Most of these parcels are held by local owners. Only 15 of the properties valued above $50,000 have out of town ownership.

Exempt properties do not pay BID assessments. (See opinion by NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.) Such parcels in the Geneva BID include:

• Vacant city owned properties at S Exchange St. and 47 Castle St.

• HWS-owned Bozzuto Center at 22 Castle St.

• Seneca Apts at 29 Exchange St.

• Geneva Lakefront Childcare at 61 Elizabeth Blackwell St.

We count 145 taxable properties within the district with assessed value of $50,000 or more. See list below.

PARCEL NO. PROP ADDRESS

CURRENT OWNER CO TAXABLE AMOUNT

104.35 1 24 43 Lake St Lake Street Hotel, LLC $3,333,500 104.42 2 44.110 218 Genesee St Finger Lakes Publishing $3,333,500 104.42 2 46 100 110 Castle St Castle Street Redevelopment $3,333,500 104.43 2 57 399 Exchange St Lyons National Bank $2,220,000 104.43 1 4.100 15 Lewis St Massa Family LLC $1,536,000 104.50 1 30 2 Seneca St National Bank of Geneva $1,245,000 104.12 2 20.100 537 S Exchange St Lakeview Geneva, LLC $948,500 104.50 1 31 24 Seneca St National Bank of Geneva $809,000 104.15 3 41.120 70 Elizabeth Blackwell St Massa Nicholas $722,500 104.50 1 5.1 111 121 Castle St Verizon New York Inc $673,000 104.58 2 14.221 64 Elizabeth Blackwell St Blackwell Exchange, LLC $637,000 104.43 1 16 24 26 Tillman St Massamiliano Family LLC $614,720 104.50 2 13 5 Seneca St Community Bank NA $572,500 104.12 2 5 20 E Castle St Castle Street Redevelopment $555,500 104.12 2 12 499 Exchange St JRI Holdings, LLC $529,100 104.50 1 46 92 Seneca St Cojack Properties, LLC $440,000 104.8 1 32.100 248 258 Exchange St Colizzi James $432,200 104.11 3 54 68 Castle St 68 Castle Street, LLC $429,500 104.43 2 57./1 399 Exchange St Lyons National Bank $418,000 104.50 2 10 25 27 Seneca St Finger Lakes Federal Cr Union $412,000 104.43 1 35.100 346 Exchange St P S Geneva Associates LP $409,000 104.35 1 12 1 Railroad Pl Cosentino William J $399,000 104.12 2 10 485 Exchange St Lynch Bernard G Jr $390,000 104.50 2 6 45 Seneca St Finger Lakes Federal Cr Union $375,000 104.50 1 13.100 87 Castle St Castle Street Redevelopment $373,500 104.12 2 16 519 521 Exchange St Main Street of Geneva, LLC $346,200 104.50 1 1.100 127 Castle St 127 Castle Street LLC $335,850 104.42 2 60 138 144 Castle St Main Street of Geneva, LLC $318,500 104.43 2 53 34 40 Castle St CDR Castle Street, LLC $306,000 104.50 1 47.111 100 Seneca St Mitchell Peter H $291,500

104.43 2 34.100 427 435 Exchange St

Stivers Downtown Prop LLC $290,500 104.59 1 42.12 39 Solar Dr Plano Donald $271,500 104.43 2 58 405 Exchange St Trotta Diane M $267,000 104.50 1 34 38 Seneca St Ubiles Jesus $261,500 104.12 2 28.200 65 Elizabeth Blackwell St National Bank of Geneva $260,000 104.50 2 1 361 S Main St Main Street of Geneva, LLC $252,500 104.50 2 30 399 S Main St Wahl David $252,000 104.50 1 37 60 66 Seneca St Guard Building Associates, LLC $244,300 104.59 1 42.13 40 Solar Dr Miller Robert C $232,500 104.59 1 42.211 47 Solar Dr Auble Lisa $229,200 104.43 2 43 410 414 Exchange St 2DogsR, LLC $227,800 104.50 1 58 293 Main St Colvin & Slocum Properties LLC $225,000 104.50 2 4 93 Seneca St MUZZI JR LLC $225,000 104.50 1 32 28 30 Seneca St Massa Nicholas $217,000 104.59 1 42.3 32 Solar Dr Hedworth Thomas $215,000 104.59 1 42.16 43 Solar Dr Haddaway John $214,000 104.59 1 42.18 45 Solar Dr Petzold Karen E $213,300 104.50 2 33 387 S Main St Gringeri John M $210,000 104.12 2 22 555 S Exchange St Cecere Holdings, LLC $209,500 104.59 1 42.22 49 Solar Dr Lofthouse Cricco Charity $208,000 104.43 2 40 428 434 Exchange St Main Street of Geneva, LLC $203,800 104.35 1 10 209 Exchange St MSF Holding LLC $203,500 104.43 2 50 26 Castle St Rountree Brian R $203,500 104.43 1 37 370 372 Exchange St Sandroni Derek $201,000 104.50 1 25.100 494 Exchange St Stivers Downtown Prop LLC $201,000 104.50 2 7 41 43 Seneca St Stomping Grounds, LLC $200,000 104.59 1 42.71 31 Solar Dr Nagpaul Arun $200,000 104.12 2 13 505 Exchange St Stivers Downtown Prop LLC $198,000 104.42 2 47 120 Castle St Maryak Properties, LLC $191,500 104.8 1 37 218 Exchange St HJSS Enterprises, LLC $189,500 104.43 2 30 425 Exchange St Stivers Downtown Prop LLC $189,000 104.59 1 42.17 44 Solar Dr Tonczyk Brian M $188,800 104.50 1 26 500 Exchange St Stivers Downtown Prop LLC $188,500 104.50 1 33 34 Seneca St Darby Sky Holdings II, LLC $188,400 104.59 1 42.19 46 Solar Dr Kernan Kelly $183,000 104.12 2 9 473 475 Exchange St Dorrington Michael E $182,500 104.59 1 42.23 50 Solar Dr Kavcak Pascal $181,000 104.42 2 64.100 164 Castle St Li Feng Jin $180,000 104.43 2 56 48 50 Castle St 48 Castle Street, LLC $178,000 104.50 2 32 391 S Main St 395 South Main LLC $175,500 104.50 1 36 50 Seneca St Fragnoli Joseph $172,500

104.50 1 52 118 Seneca St

Elmira Property, LLC $168,500 104.50 2 8 37 39 Seneca St Mirras Michael J $168,000 104.43 2 41 426 Exchange St King Andrew Jr. $166,800 104.50 1 38 44 52 Linden St Guard Building Associates, LLC $166,500 104.50 1 9 28 32 Linden St Linden Group, The $165,500 104.50 2 34 385 S Main St DB Residential Properties, LLC $160,000 104.43 1 36 360 Exchange St P S Geneva Associates LP $156,000 104.43 2 45 424 Exchange St Barrich, LLC $156,000 104.12 2 25 607 S Exchange St Massa Family LLC $154,500 104.50 2 11 23 Seneca St Finger Lakes Federal Cr Union $153,000 104.42 2 61 148 150 Castle St Davoli Stephen M $151,100 104.11 3 24.100 78 86 Castle St Castle Street Assoc L.P. $151,000 104.50 2 9 33 35 Seneca St Umbrella Real Estate, LLC $151,000 104.50 1 12 91 93 Castle St Castle Street Redevelopment $150,500 104.50 2 12 17 Seneca St 17 Seneca Holdings, LLC $150,000 104.50 1 42 74 Seneca St KW Properties LLC $148,500 104.12 2 8 469 471 Exchange St 471 Water Street, LLC $147,000 104.8 3 53.200 143 Wadsworth St Wright John G $147,000 104.59 1 42.15 42 Solar Dr Prokopius Ronald $144,500 104.50 2 31 395 S Main St Wise Mark S $143,500 104.59 1 42.5 37 Solar Dr Sun Pad LLC $143,300 104.42 2 58 134 136 Castle St Stivers Downtown Prop LLC $140,000 104.50 1 29 514 Exchange St Downtown Homesteads LLC $140,000 104.59 1 42.14 41 Solar Dr Matthews Susan K $139,500 104.50 1 28 504 Exchange St Downtown Homesteads LLC $137,000 104.50 1 10 24 26 Linden St Elkin Sophie P $132,000 104.12 2 21 551 553 S Exchange St Wright John G $131,500 104.50 2 35 385 S Main St Maher Daniel W $131,000 104.43 2 35 444 446 Exchange St Main Street of Geneva, LLC $128,200 104.42 2 62 154 156 Castle St Davoli Mary Lou $128,000 104.43 2 51 30 Castle St Hilt Rune G $127,000 104.12 2 15 513 Exchange St Hamburg Ryan $125,000 104.43 2 38 438 Exchange St Double Eagle Consulting $125,000 104.50 1 8 103 Castle St Verizon New York Inc $124,000 104.12 2 14.100 507 511 Exchange St Fischer Judith W $122,500 104.59 1 42.1 36 Solar Dr Ruehlco LLC $122,000 104.59 1 42.6 35 Solar Dr Wallace Matthias $119,500 104.50 1 35 40 42 Seneca St Don's Own Flower Shop, Inc. $119,000 104.59 1 42.2 34 Solar Dr Wattever LLC $117,000 104.59 1 42.4 30 Solar Dr Gorman John $117,000

104.43 2 36 8 10 Castle St Stivers Downtown Prop LLC $115,600 104.35 1 11 225 Exchange St Menna 225 LLC $115,000 104.43 2 47 14 Castle St Cecere Frank J Jr $111,500 104.43 2 4.100 408 Exchange St Sandroni Derek $110,000 104.43 1 8.1 288 Exchange St RinLib Realty Corp. $109,000 104.50 1 22 486 Exchange St Climbing Bines Hop Farm LLC $107,500 104.50 1 50 110 112 Seneca St Stivers Downtown Prop LLC $107,500 104.50 2 14 S Exchange St Community Bank NA $106,000 104.43 2 37 440 442 Exchange St 440 442 EXSTREET HOLDING, LLC $105,000 104.50 2 38 365 S Main St Mc Cann Shawn A $104,000 104.43 2 42 420 Exchange St King Andrew Jr. $100,000 104.50 2 3 97 Seneca St 97 Seneca LLC $100,000 104.43 2 48 18 Castle St Queen of Mexico, LLC $99,000 104.50 1 27 502 Exchange St The Side Show Bar, LLC $99,000 104.43 1 9 290 Exchange St Enos Charles F Jr. $98,500 104.50 1 56.100 317 Main St Geneva 317 LLC $98,500 104.50 1 41 68 70 Seneca St Fordon John H $94,500 104.12 2 11 489 Exchange St Hogan Jennifer $93,500 104.12 2 6 16 E Castle St Maryak Properties, LLC $93,500 104.50 1 19 476 Exchange St Crisanti Enterprises $93,000 104.50 1 20 480 Exchange St Wei Su Qin $93,000 104.50 1 21 484 Exchange St Osborne William J $92,500 104.50 1 39 40 42 Linden St Guard Building Associates, LLC $91,800 104.43 2 39 436 Exchange St Tradewinds Wine Company LLC $84,400 104.43 1 12.100 316 326 Exchange St Massamiliano Family LLC $84,000 104.50 1 53 329 Main St Elmira Property, LLC $80,000 104.50 1 51 114 Seneca St Stivers Downtown Prop LLC $79,300 104.43 1 10 308 Exchange St Enos Charles F Jr. $77,000 104.50 1 54 325 Main St Moore Sidney C $70,000 104.50 1 15.110 25 Linden St Rodriguez Miguel A $69,000 104.50 2 2 99 Seneca St Peters Melissa A $67,500 104.50 1 55 319 Main St Knight Elizabeth $62,000 104.50 1 40 38 Linden St Elkin James Emery $58,000 104.43 2 55 46 Castle St Sarros Peter P $51,000

Source: Final Assessment Roll, City of Geneva, 2022.

Impact of NYC BIDs

More Reading

Democrat & Chronicle, Aug. 29, 2022

Amorette Miller Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Around the country there are entities charged with the sole purpose of revitalizing and repurposing their downtown, places that have traditionally thrived. They are usually called Business Improvement Districts or BIDs, and Rochester is exploring one.

Healthy downtowns are the "Emerald City" of communities. When making the decision to move a corporation's headquarters or relocate for residency, people often look to downtown as a mirror of that region's economy.

For advocates, BIDs are nonprofits that wake up every morning with nothing else on their mind but to answer the question: How can they make the community within their boundary better for businesses, visitors and the people living in it? Critics contend that BIDs consolidate power in the hands of a small group and lack transparency and accountability.

Rochester is transforming

The ROC the Riverway partnership has helped outline the reanimation of downtown Rochester.

While remote work shortened the lifespan of the old-school, 9-5 office model, the allure of inner city living attracts residents to Sibley Square, Innovation Square and new housing complexes along the filled-in Inner Loop on South Union Street.

There's a bold plan to improve Rochester's downtown. What you need to know

Parcel 5, the site of downtown's former Midtown Mall is now a soft, grassy lot where events and food truck rodeos are hosted. All of these improvements have happened without a Business Improvement District.

But where will people shop and entertain themselves once those festivals and food trucks pack up and leave? As of today, there is no supermarket or pharmacy within walking distance of Rochester's center.

What is the BID?

• Before a geographic perimeter is permanently set, property owners commercial or residential in the proposed area vote on whether they want to be a part of it or not. Once the lines are drawn, they are not easily changed.

• BID funding comes from an obligatory payment by property owners that is distributed for enhancement projects. The levy amount for a Rochester BID is yet to be determined.

• The staff of BIDs help to advertise the commercial businesses and events in their area.

• BIDs are held accountable by a board comprised of business owners, city government and neighborhood residents.

• In Rochester, city council also reviews the budget, assessment, and contract for the BID each year.

Why BID?

Some cities around the country have seen positive outcomes through BIDs, known by other acronyms depending on the state. They have used their improvement districts to dramatically change the landscape, ushering in

new amenities, restaurants, green spaces, entertainment and residents to enjoy it. Buffalo has one.

Downtown Philadelphia is an example of a successful improvement district. Over a timespan of 30 years, their BID called Center City District now employs more than 250 residents, has increased the number of restaurants in the area tenfold, hosts major events and manages parks and art installations.

If BIDs are so great, why is there opposition?

Some people feel that this well intentioned money should be spent where people need it most, like in the 19th Ward, on Hudson and Joseph avenues or Clarissa Street.

Shane Wiegand, local historian and community activist, worries about lines being drawn around any area in Rochester. "There is an emotional reaction that comes up with the idea of making an outline around certain streets and neighborhoods for targeted investment. We have seen that before with redlining."

More concerns about a potential Rochester BID

• Extra taxes upon taxes might drive out small businesses already struggling with streetscape construction and a low downtown population.

• Those who are opposed may feel that the boundary area will not be beneficial to current city residents of diverse backgrounds.

• Without a doubt the labor community will ask: What will happen to their members who perform similar work in that area?

• Will this BID pay for security as others do?

The most important question of all remains: Will all engaged voices be heard and concerns considered?

The latest city council vote to move forward with BID exploration passed 6 3. But some city council members who voted against the measure say that voting yes would feel like "pressing play" on a stacked deck and that more conversations need to happen before the city goes down that road.

Can the city create a department to do BID-like things?

All cities have a defined operating budget for providing services for their residents and businesses. They also have to pay thousands of permanent employees. City halls simply do not have the ability to laser in on a single area for a protracted amount of time like a BID can.

BIDs can hire a dedicated staff through their own funding that does not come from city coffers, but instead from the businesses that can directly benefit from its efforts.

Philadelphia CCD President and CEO Paul Levy's advice for any city exploring a BID is to not focus on everything at once. Improvement districts can't solve poverty or build housing, but they can create an "attractive and supportive public environment where everyone feels welcome, where development is supported and people feel encouraged to be there," he said.

If not approached in a considerate and inclusive way, a BID can harm the community by only catering to a certain economic class.

The Rochester Downtown Partnership in concert with the RDDC, ROC2025 and Empire State Development through ROC the Riverway, will be conducting public meetings in conjunction with the city about what the community wants to see happen and why.

Over a period of three to four years, the consortium will provide seed funding amounting to some $5 million that will help the intermediary Partnership perform like a BID while the community weighs in. Find out more at RochesterDowntown.com

New York Times , Oct. 30, 2022

Downtown Comebacks

The pandemic tested and reshaped the hearts of American cities.

By German Lopez Oct. 30, 2022

American downtowns are working to recover after the Covid pandemic upended their roles as business centers and community hubs. To find out how these efforts are going, Times reporters recently visited the downtown areas in Washington, D.C.; Hartford, Conn.; Salt Lake City; Seattle and elsewhere. They discovered that some are struggling while others have come back even stronger. I asked Mike Baker, who’s based in Seattle and contributed to the project, about what they saw.

German: I was struck by the emptiness in Cincinnati, where I live, during the height of the pandemic. Even today, the city can still feel much quieter than it did before Covid. Is this common across the country?

Mike: There’s definitely an eerie quiet. Some neighborhoods are well short of the vibrancy they had a few years ago. There are boarded up windows. In some cities, there’s this feeling of an empty sidewalk where you’re used to having larger crowds.

So people will come downtown and feel like there’s nobody or very few people there. You lose the sense that this is a gathering place for the community. And that contributes to people not really wanting to come back.

What did the pandemic bring?

There are positive and negative trends out there.

Downtown Chicago in August.Credit...Jamie Kelter Davis for The New York Times

So many downtowns have embraced outdoor dining and expanded restaurant patios and have become more walking-friendly. A lot of midsize cities, like Salt Lake City, have seen explosive growth around new businesses and attractions downtown. Some cities have made investments to draw in more people, and they’re actually seeing more visitors than they did before the pandemic.

At the same time, major urban centers still have less commuter foot traffic than they did before the pandemic because so many people are still working from home. So some businesses don’t have the traffic to survive. Some downtown neighborhoods are struggling with crime and homelessness. And housing affordability seems to be on everybody’s mind at this point, especially here in Seattle.

Seattle seems like an interesting case, because Amazon is headquartered downtown yet is arguably deepening some downtowns’ problems by making it easier to shop online instead of in person.

Yeah. Even before the pandemic, Amazon’s explosive growth heavily contributed to housing shortfalls in Seattle. Then all this infrastructure was built to support the tech workers at the South Lake Union neighborhood, where Amazon is. During the pandemic, many of these tech workers started working remotely, and all these businesses suddenly had very few people to serve.

These are tech workers with good incomes who are no longer coming to that part of the city regularly. That’s a huge setback.

But Seattle might be better positioned than some cities. It has cruise ship terminals, which bring visitors from all over the country on summer weekends. There’s a waterfront under development that connects the Pike Place Market up north down to football and baseball stadiums in the south. There’s an expanding convention center and a new N.H.L. team that plays in the area.

You mentioned crime and homelessness. How much are they playing a role in downtowns’ problems?

You certainly hear about both a lot from residents, visitors and business owners.

I was in Oregon recently to report on the governor’s race, and all the candidates were talking about how unsafe downtown Portland has become.

Yet even there, the variation is remarkable: I could walk through the waterfront, and people were walking their dogs, jogging or just enjoying the scenery. But if you turn just a couple blocks from the waterfront into the Old Town neighborhood, you can see widespread homelessness, drug use. There are people lying motionless on the sidewalk or in the middle of the road.

There is this tension. Officials talk about trying to build more affordable housing and provide more services for drug addiction and mental health, but that takes time. But there’s a sense of urgency — that we need to do something to get people back downtown, and locals want quick solutions to homelessness.

Considering those problems, are cities making progress on revitalizing downtowns?

Some places are. One place I visited was Nampa, Idaho, a city of 100,000 people west of Boise. Years ago, the city had this really vibrant downtown with retail outlets that brought people from around the area. But then a mall was built on the edge of town. And then an even bigger mall was built farther away in Boise. Then Amazon came along, popularizing online shopping. And then the pandemic.

The city started working to reverse the trends — to build a community gathering place. But instead of building back in the retail focused style of the old downtown, today’s efforts are more about restaurants than shops, and more emphasis on people living there instead of driving downtown. It’s different, but it’s about adapting to the changes and finding the right mix to make this spot appealing again. So far, it appears to be working.