It’s Better with a BID - Smith Street Alliance a BID FORMATION EFFORT

As a community, let's work together to make Smith Street cleaner, safer & more vibrant!

We are a group of local property owners, business owners, and residents who have banded together in order to establish a BID on Smith Street in the Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, and Carroll Gardens neighborhoods of Brooklyn. BIDs (Business Improvement Districts) exist across New York City in order to deliver services above and beyond what is provided by New York City. A BID on Smith Street will result in a cleaner, better cared for, more vibrant, more festive, greener, and safer neighborhood. With your support, we can establish this BID and have a positive impact on our neighborhood for years to come!

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WHAT IS A BID?

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a public /private partnership in which property owners and commercial tenants make a collective contribution to the maintenance, development, and promotion of their commercial district. There are over 76 BIDs currently in NYC with 23 right here in Brooklyn.  BID programs provide programs and services for each of their neighborhoods, driving traffic,increasing commercial business and solidify the overall value of their districts.

BID programs may include the following services: sanitation, maintenance,beautification, greening initiatives, street-scaping (trees, flower boxes, decorations), community marketing, small business promotion, public safety, city and state advocacy, holiday decorations, tourism services, parenting and elderly assistance programs, and much more.   

The Smith Street Alliance is leading the effort to form a BID along Smith Street

From Pacific Street (on the north end) to 4th Place (on the south end).

This encompasses 16 blocks with approx. 400 small, "mom and pop" businesses.

The majority of the BID area falls in Council District 39 and Community Board 6

(and about 20% in CD33 and CB2).

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WHAT WILL OUR BID DO FOR ALL OF US?

Our steering committee is a small group of local businesses and property owners from the proposed district. The catagories below represent the areas of concern and improvement for Smith Street.

SANITATION & MAINTENANCE

Sanitation that the city provides just isn't enough. A BID in place will provide additional and much needed; street and sidewalk cleaning, graffiti removal, potholes filled, tree branches removed, snow removal, etc., our entire district's streets can be cleaner and safer for all.

©Kathi Littwin Photography

 

COMMUNITY & BUSINESS MARKETING & PROMOTION

This BID will provide marketing services for our entire district of businesses including extensive tourism programs and promotion of local events. We'll bring people from around the city and the world to shop in out most historic neighborhood. We have always had great street fairs, soup socials, and even theatre in Carroll Park. Imagine even more events and outings to bring our community closer together and celebrate the arts, music, local food, restaurants, holiday caroling and much much more.

©Kathi Littwin Photography Open Streets July 9th 2022

©Kathi Littwin Photography

BEAUTIFICATION & LANDSCAPING

Imagine our district with more trees, flower boxes, planters, banners and decorations of all kinds throughout the year. Adding to the city's limited resources, we can make a real and noticeable difference with the additional resources that the BID will provide.

©Kathi Littwin Photography

PUBLIC SAFETY & ADVOCACY

Look around the streets and you'll see areas that need improvement, be it bike lanes that need to be added or designated more clearly, security patrols when foot traffic is heavy, visitor assistance, or security cameras. All of these elements are part of the BID plan. Let's ensure our safety by putting city and state advocacy initiatives in place and make our area safer than ever!

©Kathi Littwin Photography

STREET-SCAPING & DECORATIONS

Have you noticed that there are no lighted holiday decorations in December on all of Smith Street? In order for our businesses to thrive during the holiday shopping season, our budget will provide the necessary funds to light up the streets and celebrate each season and all annual holidays

©Kathi Littwin Photography

The Smith Street Mural on Smith between Douglas & Degraw. Partnering with the Invisible Dog Art Center and commissioning artist Magda Love we took a sad section of Smith and made it special. See what a BID can do!

The Smith Street Mural on Smith between Douglas & Degraw. Partnering with the Invisible Dog Art Center and commissioning artist Magda Love we took a sad section of Smith and made it special. See what a BID can do! ©Kathi Littwin Photography

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FAQs

 

What is a BID?

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a formal organization consisting of local property owners and commercial tenants who are dedicated to promoting business development and improving the neighborhood's quality of life. There are currently over 75 BIDs in New York City.


Who pays for a BID?

Property owners within the BID receive an assessment on their tax bill each year. The assessment is based off a formula and takes into account the property's size and commercial frontage.

What will the BID do for me?

Commercial tenants and residents benefit from having a cleaner, safer, and more inviting community. For commercial tenants, this can result in more people out on the streets and more customers. For residential tenants, this means a nicer community in which to live. Property owners within the BID frequently see property values rise at a fast rate than nearby areas without BIDs

Who runs the BID?

All decision making related to the BID is made by a local Board of Directors. The board is elected by members of the district and must include property owners, commercial tenants, residents, and publicly elected officials.  The Board decides how the BIDs budget is spent and who is hired to execute BID initiatives. 

What services does the BID offer?

The services offered by a BID depends of the needs of the community. The needs assessment conducted by the BID steering committee determined that SmithStreet’s biggest needs are Sanitation and Maintenance, Beautification and Greenification, Street-scaping and Decorations, Community & Business Marketing & Promotion, and Public Safety & Advocacy. These focuses can change with time and in-response to community feedback. 


Will we still receive the same services supplied by the city?

BIDs receive the same services already supplied by the city. The services provided by the BID are supplementary to the city’s services. 

 

Have other questions? Email us at smithstreetbid@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you!

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the Smith Street BID formation effort Instagram Feed

It’s customer appreciation day @dumbo_brooklyn . Free raffle going off in 5 minutes. Free food and a DJ plus bouncy castle. #lovesmithstreet #dumbomarket #tasty
Scene from a street event. @treble.nyc . The shade has arrived and the crowds are beginning to gather
It is hot but the street is filled with great vending and delicious food and beverages. Heat babies can wait until 4 to come out and have a meal with some music and chats with neighbors
The NEW Smith Street Music + Arts Festival is happening thanks to our BID formation effort, the Smith Street Alliance. We want your YES vote. Support our effort and we’ll be able to support a healthy Smith Street. https://linktr.ee/smithstreet
Music @treble.nyc @theoldgrimes @nipsycoco @theafrolatineers @rebelkicksmusic Outdoor Dining @blackforestbrooklyn @shanszechuan @ruathainyc @cloverclubny @purepecha.restaurant @leyendabk @amano_cafe @bignorm__ @eastwindsnackshop @naturesgrillonsmith
FREE Supergoop Sun Protection Station at the BID info table. Smith btw Warren + Baltic SUNDAY June 23rd from 12pm - 9:00pm Smith Street from Bergen to Union. The event is part of our BID formation effort. See what a BID can do. We took a street eve
Outdoor Dining @blackforestbrooklyn @shanszechuan @ruathainyc @cloverclubny @purepecha.restaurant @leyendabk @amano_cafe @bignorm__ @eastwindsnackshop @naturesgrillonsmith Music @treble.nyc @theoldgrimes @nipsycoco @theafrolatineers @rebelkicksmusic
Mark Your calendars. Save the Date. The NEW Smith Street Music and Arts Festival is happening Sunday June 23rd from 12-9 on Smith Street between Bergen & Union. It's gonna be great! Schedule coming soon
Carroll Park Fair today, a real nice mix of local artists and collectibles. Also supports a good cause.Hurry up it goes until 5pm #carrollpark #carrollparkfair #localart
A NEW street event on Smith. Let us know if you want to participate. Sunday June 23rd 2024 on Smith Street from Bergen to Union.
Today and tomorrow May 16 and 17 @theinvisibledog a Kule Archive sale. SOCKS for $1.00 hurry over. @kule
The FAD Market is at Invisible Dog, today and tomorrow. The weather is perfect for a brisk walk and a visit to see really neat stuff, from small batch artists and purveyors. @theinvisibledog @fadmarket @kathi_littwin_foto #fadmarket #smallbatch #shop
One of the first street events of the season is the Court Street Fair. Between Union and 9th street. Come for old school Brooklyn food and fun. Sponsored by SBLDC - South Brooklyn Local Development Corp. and produced by our friends at @clearviewfesti
Welcome to Smith Street @rutaoaxacamex. Ruta Oaxaca is now officially open at 138 Smith. Today was Taco Tuesday and you can mix your plate up from an abundance of delicious choices. The space is bright and comfortable, the staff is super nice and we
ATTENTION SMITH STREET RETAILERS: Thursday morning we are hosting a Retailer’s Breakfast Social. Learn about the BID formation effort and meet your neighborhood business owners. We’ll share what we’ve been up to and you can share yo
5th Avenue in Park Slope had been the sad sister to PS’s 7th Avenue. Not anymore! Why might that be? Well 5th Avenue has a BID. Slowly over the years with support and some great ideas 5th is on top. Not just in Park Slope, in the entire city. T
Coming soon to Smith Street. @lizsbookbar welcome to the neighborhood #bookbar #lovesmithstreet #newbiz #shopsmall #drinklocal
Check out the FAD market. Great gifts to give and to receive @theinvisibledog @fadmarket today and tomorrow and next weekend too. Different merchants each weekend #holiday #december #gifting #fadmarket
Welcoming Amano to 222 Smith Street Brooklyn. Opening Day is today! @amano_cafe The space is beautiful and the food looks amazing. Starting with breakfast and lunch for now, evening meals to be added later. @olivella.salvatore greeted me at the door
 

©Kathi Littwin Photography

What do other Brooklyn BID members say about their BIDs?

"I love the fact that 5th Avenue has a BID for the mere fact that I have a place to connect with other business owners to discuss ideas, brainstorm strategies, vent, mastermind and overall network.  The 5th Avenue BID gives me an opportunity to help not only my business but the community in which I decided to conduct my business in.  It gives me an opportunity to have a voice in creating and shaping decisions impacting the 5th Avenue corridor so as to make it a viable place to hang, buy, stroll, dine, drink and shop as well as play, too."

Farid Ali Lancheros

Owner Bogota Latin Bistro and Miti Miti Taperia

Member of Park Slope 5th Ave BID

"I've had my business, Hootie Couture, on North Flatbush for 14 years and love having a Business Improvement District supporting me. In addition to providing extra sidewalk cleaning and creating a nice corridor, the NFBID team is able to help promote my business when I have things going on. It also provides opportunities to interact with other neighborhood businesses and we get to share information and tips."

Alison Houtte

Owner Hootie Couture

Member of North Flatbush BID

"The Dumbo BID is an invaluable marketing and promotion partner to our cultural and literary activities and programming; it has a particularly active social media presence and is the local go-to source for breaking event news in the neighborhood. They have also been vital in coordinating the various city agencies and spearheading street upgrades, stoplight installations, and neighborhood beautification, making our waterfront community safer and inviting. I can't say enough good things about how important our BID is to our business and the look and feel of our community."

Daniel Power

Owner The POWERhouse Arena

Member of the DUMBO Improvement District