The proposed Bed-Stuy Gateway Business Improvement District (BID), approved by the City Council on March 24, is comprised of more than 360 businesses and will have a first-year budget of $675,000.

The Bedford-Stuyvesant community’s efforts to establish the BID were led by both the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation and the Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants Association and were fully supported by Councilman Al Vann.

Commented Councilman Vann, a lead sponsor of the bill, “I credit the leadership and focused efforts of the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation and their work toward supporting and structuring a bridge with the Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants Association.

“Over the past four years, Restoration has worked to build relationships and to gain a solid understanding of the needs of the merchants in the area. Their efforts have led to a successful, strategic partnership between the City, Restoration and Fulton-Nostrand Merchants Association.�

The new BID will provide maintenance and sanitation services, security services, marketing and promotion, holiday lighting, beautification and landscaping.

“These services will give small businesses within the district a great opportunity to succeed,� said Vann, explaining that BIDs are formal organizations made up of property owners and commercial tenants who are dedicated to promoting business development and improving an area’s quality of life.

Established by local law, BIDs are self-funded by local property owners and are overseen by the city’s Department of Small Business Services.

“Great things are underway in Bed-Stuy, and the BID’s creation dovetails with the economic development occurring in the community today. From the recent rezoning, to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Smart Growth Planning Grant for Urban Sustainability, Bed-Stuy is committed to a plan of community development that originates from within. We welcome the BID and invite people from all over the City to come to the area to shop and learn more about our thriving community,� Vann said.

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