WHAT IS A BID & GENERAL BID INFORMATION
What is a Business Improvement District (BID)?
A Business Improvement District (BID) is an economic development tool which allows property owners and merchants within a defined geographic boundary to band together to use the City’s assessment powers to assess themselves. This assessment is a tool also used by the property owners to maintain and improve their business district. NDCC Chapter 40-22.1 Special Assessments for Promotion of Business Activities contains the enabling language for the establishment of a BID in North Dakota.
A Business Improvement District is also a region in which all property owners as well as retailers create a means to shape their
community. It becomes a mechanism to transform. Through a BID, Downtown property owners come together to take responsibility and carefully plan growth to a new level.
A BID can be structured to include: safety and policing, ambassadors to welcome and aid visitors, clean teams, maintenance crews, recycling programs, public art, beautification efforts, economic development, litter removal, pressure washing of sidewalks, weed removal, landscaping, uniformed snow removal, graffiti removal, events programming, general promotions, business enhancement activities, retail events, and just about anything you can imagine.
Just think of the possibilities to meet and exceed the needs for Downtown, to exceed the expectations of your customers and clients, and create a place that everyone talks about and comes back to.
The options are endless and that is why this process and your involvement as a member of the community is vital—you are part of the shaping of the future of Downtown!
A Business Improvement District is also a region in which all property owners as well as retailers create a means to shape their
community. It becomes a mechanism to transform. Through a BID, Downtown property owners come together to take responsibility and carefully plan growth to a new level.
A BID can be structured to include: safety and policing, ambassadors to welcome and aid visitors, clean teams, maintenance crews, recycling programs, public art, beautification efforts, economic development, litter removal, pressure washing of sidewalks, weed removal, landscaping, uniformed snow removal, graffiti removal, events programming, general promotions, business enhancement activities, retail events, and just about anything you can imagine.
Just think of the possibilities to meet and exceed the needs for Downtown, to exceed the expectations of your customers and clients, and create a place that everyone talks about and comes back to.
The options are endless and that is why this process and your involvement as a member of the community is vital—you are part of the shaping of the future of Downtown!
How common is a BID?
The revitalization of Downtown Fargo has progressed to a point where a stable funding stream is needed to protect and safeguard investments. The BID will be used to supplement and coordinate existing city services to ensure a cleaner, better maintained, safer and more vibrant downtown. The exact type of services will be decided by Downtown property/business owners.
The most successful Downtown communities are those that pull together. We see our community pull together often in times of difficulty. This is an opportunity to pull together during a time of growth and enhancement. It is a time to pull together our ideas, visions, and passions for our businesses and properties and make the Downtown community what we envision for the future. As we make these steps, it isn’t just planning—its implementation and execution of these plans. A BID is a way to make our community not only “Clean-Safe-Maintained”, but also beautiful, promoted, developed, and thriving as well as an economically vibrant area.
It’s important to take that next step—-as a community!
The first American BID was established in New Orleans in 1975. BIDs are not exclusive to large urban areas. According to the International Downtown Association (IDA), in 2010 there are 1,002 BIDs in the United States, up from 739 in 2007. As downtowns have revitalized, the popularity of BIDS have grown allowing property owners to better protect their investments. Places like Billings, Montana; Rapid City, South Dakota and Rochester, Minnesota have successful BID initiatives.
BIDs have been formed in suburban business districts, rural Main Streets, and along commercial corridors. There are numerous connections with increased business and traffic associated with the creation and successful maintenance of a Business Improvement District. The city of Winnepeg alone has 17 different BIDs.
Qualities that BIDs have in all areas include the following:
- BIDs provide a partnership with the City by ensuring base services are provided BIDs enhance these services. BIDs in many areas are supplementing and adding
services that cities never provided.
- Early BID successes were based on the need for safety measures in an area. The economic success of these areas then brought the focus on clean and maintained as
a means to not only encourage safety but to promote economic viability.
- Now the most successful BID’s focus on Clean + Safe + Maintained = Economically Vibrant Areas
- Numerous downtowns are finding that aiding their Cities in the maintenance and enhancement of these economic, entertainment, and cultural centers enhances the
community, thus making Downtowns destination points.
The most successful Downtown communities are those that pull together. We see our community pull together often in times of difficulty. This is an opportunity to pull together during a time of growth and enhancement. It is a time to pull together our ideas, visions, and passions for our businesses and properties and make the Downtown community what we envision for the future. As we make these steps, it isn’t just planning—its implementation and execution of these plans. A BID is a way to make our community not only “Clean-Safe-Maintained”, but also beautiful, promoted, developed, and thriving as well as an economically vibrant area.
It’s important to take that next step—-as a community!
The first American BID was established in New Orleans in 1975. BIDs are not exclusive to large urban areas. According to the International Downtown Association (IDA), in 2010 there are 1,002 BIDs in the United States, up from 739 in 2007. As downtowns have revitalized, the popularity of BIDS have grown allowing property owners to better protect their investments. Places like Billings, Montana; Rapid City, South Dakota and Rochester, Minnesota have successful BID initiatives.
BIDs have been formed in suburban business districts, rural Main Streets, and along commercial corridors. There are numerous connections with increased business and traffic associated with the creation and successful maintenance of a Business Improvement District. The city of Winnepeg alone has 17 different BIDs.
Qualities that BIDs have in all areas include the following:
- BIDs provide a partnership with the City by ensuring base services are provided BIDs enhance these services. BIDs in many areas are supplementing and adding
services that cities never provided.
- Early BID successes were based on the need for safety measures in an area. The economic success of these areas then brought the focus on clean and maintained as
a means to not only encourage safety but to promote economic viability.
- Now the most successful BID’s focus on Clean + Safe + Maintained = Economically Vibrant Areas
- Numerous downtowns are finding that aiding their Cities in the maintenance and enhancement of these economic, entertainment, and cultural centers enhances the
community, thus making Downtowns destination points.
How does a BID affect me:
A Business Improvement District would provide a mechanism in which you as a business owner or property owner can have a voice in the shaping of your area and its cleanliness, safety, and maintenance. This gives way for making Downtown Fargo “the place to be”. Traffic and economic benefits increase and the BID, in its functioning,
helps in marketing downtown.
Everyone wants to be in places that are clean, safe, maintained, beautiful, and unique. A BID helps the City expand this as well as market Downtown Fargo. It is a benefit for the community and affects everyone.
The best part about it is that you have a voice in the BID and can help shape its success. It is all about you and all about our community.
helps in marketing downtown.
Everyone wants to be in places that are clean, safe, maintained, beautiful, and unique. A BID helps the City expand this as well as market Downtown Fargo. It is a benefit for the community and affects everyone.
The best part about it is that you have a voice in the BID and can help shape its success. It is all about you and all about our community.
How is a BID formed (Fargo City Process & North Dakota State Process):
The formation of a BID can happen a multitude of ways when we are talking about the public engagement process. Public meetings, focus groups, collaborations, etc are often used means to get public input as well as direction in the formation. The Downtown Community Partnership has done extensive study on the process of BID formation as well as been engaged with community members, property owners, and business owners to get feedback. This feedback has directed the DCP to take the next step and ask all stakeholders in the proposed BID area their thoughts on services / priorities of the BID.
The formal legal process for forming a BID is clearly outlined in NDCC Chapter 40-22.1 which includes:
- The local sponsor asks the City Commission to create a district.
- The City Commission shall direct the city auditor or other person, group or entity to prepare a
report of nature (work program with estimated costs).
- The City Commission shall direct the city auditor or other person, group or entity to prepare
detailed plans and specifications regarding concerning the improvement.
- The City Commission considers a resolution of necessity.
- The resolution is publish according to legal requirements.
- The City Commission determines the protest. The protest bar is set at one-third of the area
considered.
- The City Commission approves or denies the assessment.
The formal legal process for forming a BID is clearly outlined in NDCC Chapter 40-22.1 which includes:
- The local sponsor asks the City Commission to create a district.
- The City Commission shall direct the city auditor or other person, group or entity to prepare a
report of nature (work program with estimated costs).
- The City Commission shall direct the city auditor or other person, group or entity to prepare
detailed plans and specifications regarding concerning the improvement.
- The City Commission considers a resolution of necessity.
- The resolution is publish according to legal requirements.
- The City Commission determines the protest. The protest bar is set at one-third of the area
considered.
- The City Commission approves or denies the assessment.
How is My Voice Heard:
NOW:
We need you! We need your input! We need your talents! Each and every person Downtown is important in this process!
The BID Plan will not proceed without the broad base support of Downtown Fargo
property/business owners. Throughout the process the DCP is hosting a series of “block meetings” to receive feedback from downtown property/business owners to get a better idea of the types of services needed to maintain a vibrant future for downtown. With this information, there can be discussion on various funding avenues including the possibility of establishing a BID. The DCP’s doors are open any time for a visit. We also welcome phone and email conversations to provide feedback and insight.
At this point, no decision has been made about a BID for Downtown Fargo. Downtown property/business owners may attend any of these meetings to provide input. Based on the feedback from these meetings and from you, the DCP will then proceed with preparing a budget, a framework, and details of how this would work. A second set of meetings will occur to discuss and analyze your views of the formation process and the services as well as the ways in which success of
the BID would be measured. Again, your input will be needed.
We need you! We need your input! We need your talents! Each and every person Downtown is important in this process!
The BID Plan will not proceed without the broad base support of Downtown Fargo
property/business owners. Throughout the process the DCP is hosting a series of “block meetings” to receive feedback from downtown property/business owners to get a better idea of the types of services needed to maintain a vibrant future for downtown. With this information, there can be discussion on various funding avenues including the possibility of establishing a BID. The DCP’s doors are open any time for a visit. We also welcome phone and email conversations to provide feedback and insight.
At this point, no decision has been made about a BID for Downtown Fargo. Downtown property/business owners may attend any of these meetings to provide input. Based on the feedback from these meetings and from you, the DCP will then proceed with preparing a budget, a framework, and details of how this would work. A second set of meetings will occur to discuss and analyze your views of the formation process and the services as well as the ways in which success of
the BID would be measured. Again, your input will be needed.
How is my Voice Heard After the BID is formed?
AFTER FORMATION:
One of the most important features of a BID is your ability to have a voice in the ongoing shaping and improvement of Downtown.
In the BID formation process, a Program of Work is developed as well as an Annual Budget. The City Commission approves this budget. Inevitably, there are many decisions that are needed as a BID is executed and run and this is always best if it begins in with the roots that formed it – YOU!
One of the most important features of a BID is your ability to have a voice in the ongoing shaping and improvement of Downtown.
In the BID formation process, a Program of Work is developed as well as an Annual Budget. The City Commission approves this budget. Inevitably, there are many decisions that are needed as a BID is executed and run and this is always best if it begins in with the roots that formed it – YOU!
Common Categories of BID Services
- SECURITY
- MAINTENANCE
- BEAUTIFICATION
- MARKETING
- COMMUNICATIONS
- PROMOTIONS
- SPECIAL EVENTS
- PARKING & TRANSPORTATION
- ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- HUMAN SERVICES
- CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
- PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT
“BIDS MAKE BUSINESS DISTRICTS MORE COMPETITIVE.”
- MAINTENANCE
- BEAUTIFICATION
- MARKETING
- COMMUNICATIONS
- PROMOTIONS
- SPECIAL EVENTS
- PARKING & TRANSPORTATION
- ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- HUMAN SERVICES
- CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
- PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT
“BIDS MAKE BUSINESS DISTRICTS MORE COMPETITIVE.”
Specific Examples of BID Services
- Safety and policing - Ambassadors to welcome and aid visitors
- Clean teams - Maintenance crews
- Recycling programs - Public art
- Beautification efforts - Economic development
- Litter removal - Pressure washing of sidewalks
- Weed removal - Landscaping
- Uniform snow removal - Graffiti removal
- Events programming - General promotions
- Business enhancement activities - Retail events
- …and just about anything you can imagine
Just think of the possibilities to create a place that everyone talks about and comes back to.
- Clean teams - Maintenance crews
- Recycling programs - Public art
- Beautification efforts - Economic development
- Litter removal - Pressure washing of sidewalks
- Weed removal - Landscaping
- Uniform snow removal - Graffiti removal
- Events programming - General promotions
- Business enhancement activities - Retail events
- …and just about anything you can imagine
Just think of the possibilities to create a place that everyone talks about and comes back to.
