Formation of the BID: Mechanisms Used to Gain Support and Promote Awareness

Banner on the homepage of the Jackson Heights/Corona BID wesbite

• Putting together a Business Improvement District proposal (BID) is no easy task. Effective organization is key.
• One form of this organization manifests in the official Jackson-Heights Corona BID website: http://jhcoronabid.org/
• This website is a key tool in spreading awareness of the BID.

1. Steering Committee and 82^nd Street Partnership

• The Steering Committee and 82nd Street Partnership act as directors of the BID;  they are comprised of and serve as a direct link between business owners, property owners, residents and the wider city (e.g. government: Julissa Ferreras is a City Council member and part of the Steering committees active supporter of the BID)

2. Stakeholders: Business Owners, Property Owners, Residents

•  There are a number of resources available to each of the stakeholders: including a packet that was mailed to the stakeholders in JH-Corona, public seminar meetings, and direct contact information (email, address and phone number to set up meetings/answer any questions)
• A concerted effort has been made to make sure stakeholders are aware of the BID and its implications; each type of stakeholder has a page/tab devoted to their interests and how the BID can be of benefit to them.

Screenshot from JH-Corona BID website listing the separate tabs for various stakeholders
Credit: http://jhcoronabid.org/

Example of a page devoted to Business Owners; Pertinent contact information is located in the far right and bottom back boxes
Credit: http://jhcoronabid.org/

3. Survey, Fact Sheet

• There is a short survey posted to the website that asks specific questions of the stakeholders, such as “What are three things you value most in your neighborhood?”
• This allows for the directors of the BID to glean empirical data from the stakeholders and focus in on the issues that are most important to the members of the community.
• The Fact Sheet is yet another mechanism used to spread awareness of the BID; further, it is available in English, Spanish and Chinese.

Excerpt from the JH-Corona BID Fact Sheet
Credit: http://jhcoronabid.org/wp-content/uploads/82ndStreetBID_EN_LR.pdf