Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a BID?

At the intersection of people, place, and economy, BIDs leverage new resources to generate activities and services that strengthen local economies, stimulate vibrancy, and create inclusive communities. BIDs can provide a wide range of services designed to meet the needs and priorities in each individual community. BIDs operate within defined geographic areas (districts) and are formed when the majority of property owners in a given area choose to pitch in and pool resources to fund new programs and services that cities are often unable to fund.

Who pays for a BID?

BIDs are funded through an assessment which is charged to property owners within a defined area. This assessment generates new funding to implement new programs and services that are supplemental to city services. In the current proposal for a potential Downtown Rochester BID, residential owners of buildings with less than four units are exempt and will not be charged an assessment.

What’s a District Plan?

A district plan is a required document for a proposed business improvement district, as laid out by New York State law. It is a draft outline of services a Downtown Rochester BID could offer and how it would be run. The draft district plan is available for public review and feedback online and at the Central Library through December 31st, 2023.

What’s in the Draft Plan?

Over the past year and a half as part of the BID effort, the Partnership for Downtown Rochester engaged with the Rochester community at over 40+ events, gaining over 1,500+ responses. Thanks to the public input received from a diverse group of community builders, this process identified clear needs for downtown that business improvement district (BID) services can directly address:

Marketing, Events & Activations; Small Business & Livability; Hospitality; and Beautification & Maintenance; along with support for social services.

What’s Next?

Community input received will inform revisions to the draft district plan by the BID Formation Committee. A revised district plan will need to be presented to property owners for petition and, if there is a majority of support from property owners, to the Rochester City Council for review in 2024. The City Council will then need to vote on the proposed plan. If it advances, City Council will hold a public hearing to receive feedback on the proposal, as well as complete several more steps in the process before a Downtown Rochester BID could be established.