Jerome-Gun Hill Business Improvement District
The Jerome-Hill Business Improvement District (BID) was created to develop and promote a thriving business environment. The Business Improvement District was formed in 1997 under the management of the Mosholu Preservation Corporation (MPC). The Business Improvement District is dedicated to maintaining a viable commercial presence that continues to support the community. Under it’s umbrella, the BID oversees and works alongside three Norwood-based merchant associations; Bainbridge Avenue/ 207th Street, Kingsbridge Avenue, and Gun Hill Road associations. For a community to sustain a successful business zone, commercial activity must coincide with the demographics of the neighborhood and have a suitable place to operate. The BID really began to kick into high gear when in the early 1980’s MPC established that concern over increasing crime was leading businesses to close before sundown and remain closed entirely on weekends. With commerce waning, Mosholu Preservation Corporation took action by installing a security network in over 40 stores, linking them to a centralized surveillance system. MPC also allocated state grant money to local merchant associations for the purchase of iron gates, new lighting, and even more security systems. Before the intervention, an estimated 78 percent of stores closed at dusk in fear of robbery. In the late 80’s when most of the tactics had been implemented, the corporation reassessed businesses and found that only 9 percent still closed at sundown. At the time, 1984-1989, there were now 107 established businesses in Norwood, meaning that less than five businesses still closed in fear of crime.
At the same time the community recognized the effect crime was having, the organization also realized the ethnic transition Norwood was undergoing. When demographics change, and in Norwood’s case quite drastic and rapid, a seamless transition is essential. The neighborhood was watching the Irish and Jewish population steadily exit while the Latin and Hispanic population surged in. Irish immigrants began to travel back to Ireland as the country was experiencing a tremendous economic recovery. The younger Jewish community began to leave Norwood, and much of the Bronx for that matter, as they sought more suitable areas to live. The older community was left to dwindle along with the Irish that stayed. In the 1990’s when most of the transition took place, the BID worked with the four merchant associations to formulate business goals and objectives. They intended to coincide incoming businesses with the incoming Hispanic and Indian immigrants. The Jerome-Hill Business Improvement District has since taken absorbed the Gun Hill road merchant Association with the hopes of maintaining even closer ties with the commercial sector. The organization continues to provide for the business with services including graffiti removal and even neighborhood marketing.
Here is an overhead view of the active business zones within Norwood today:
Since its creation in 1997, the Jerome-Gun Hill BID has been serving over 250 businesses ranging in size from small retail shops to national retail chains. It has become a determining factor in the survival of Norwood’s business district. Residents and shoppers now have an established, well-functioning, safe, and aesthetically pleasing commercial sector.
You may learn more at the website: http://www.jeromegunhillbid.org/
© Jerome Gun Hill BID, 3400 Reservoir Oval East, Bronx, NY 10467
Phone: 718-324-4946 Fax: 718-324-2917
