Smith Street Alliance Update: March 2025

We wanted to reach out with an update on our Business Improvement District (BID) formation effort. Unfortunately, after many years and a tremendous amount of effort and support from so many, we have decided to cease the pursuit of a BID for Smith Street.

We are tremendously disappointed, and you likely are as well, but, ultimately, we were unable to secure the property owner votes needed to move forward in the process. We explored a number of different avenues in order to provide Smith Street with the services that it so desperately needs, but were unable to fulfill the requirements of New York City's Department of Small Business Services, the city agency that oversees BID Formation. 

We are aware that the needs of Smith Street have not changed, and, in fact, may be more critical now. All of us on the Steering Committee are committed to our district and doing what we are able to remedy some of the issues it faces. You may have heard of the South Brooklyn Local Development Corporation (SBLDC), which is an entity that has been run by this same group for a number of years now. We are turning our attention to that organization and hope to be able to fulfill portions of our BID mission through the SBLDC. Our work and the support we will need for it will look slightly different, however, support will still be necessary. We will keep you updated on how this progresses and hope that we can count on your participation in the reimagined betterment of Smith Street.

We want to sincerely thank you for seeing the value of the improvements a BID would have made and for submitting a ballot in favor of it. We are very proud of the work that we did and what we were able to achieve, even during the formation phase. So much of it was made possible by the support of community members like you. Smith Street is a fantastic corridor and an integral part of our community. We will continue to seek ways to make it even more vibrant and energized.

As they say, this is not goodbye, but see you later. 

Warmest Regards,

Heidi, Dawn, Kathi, Saloni & Sarah

The Steering Committee of the Smith Street Alliance 

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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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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FAQs

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

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

Click HERE to read the report