A Business Improvement District (BID) is being considered for the Allerton business corridor along Allerton Avenue and White Plains Road,
and its development is supported and funded by NYC Council Members Ritchie Torres and Mark Gjonaj. NYS Assembly Member Nathalia
Fernandez also enthusiastically supports the development of the Allerton BID. As with anything new to a community there will always be
lots of questions about how a BID provides benefit to the Allerton community. This article will address many of the frequently asked
questions about a BID.
Q. Who directs and controls a BID?
A. All BIDs are directed by a Board of Directors which is controlled by BID property owners, merchants and residents.
Q. Is a BID operated as a volunteer organization?
A. A BID is a professionally operated, full time not for profit corporation, created by NYC Local Law and it operates under the laws of
New York State. Many BIDs have operated for more than 30 years.
Q. Does the board of directors hire anyone to carry out the board’s decisions and directions?
A. An administrator is hired after a wide search is conducted for a professional, experienced and capable person who can work with
both the board and the Allerton community.
Q. Which services will be provided by the Allerton BID?
A. The Allerton BID’s board of directors will, after considering all business community needs and the results of surveys conducted in
the District, determine what services are needed. Some of these services will be long term and others only to address specific short
term goals.
Q. Will a BID raise my taxes?
A. A BID assesses its property owners a fee which, by NYC and NYS law can only be used for the needs of the Allerton BID. It is not a
tax and most look at the assessment fee as an investment in their business and business community.
Q. Who pays the BID assessment?
A. The owners of commercial properties and mixed-use commercial properties will be billed the assessment. If you are a commercial
tenant your landlord may be entitled to pass this assessment along to you if such a pass-through is allowed in your lease. Residents in
mixed use and residential properties do not pay BID assessment fees.
Q. Who makes sure that the BID money is fully accounted for?
A. All BIDs are audited by NYS licensed auditing firms and are subject to unannounced audits from the NYC Comptroller’s office.
Q. Are elected officials part of a BID?
A. The typical BID has a 13 member board of directors (nine from the community) and four members are representatives from the
offices of: the mayor, the Bronx Borough President, the NYC Council and the NYC Comptroller. These members add great strength to
the BID, but they only assist the BID, they do not control it.
There are 77 BIDs in New York City and 12 in the Bronx. BIDs are formed to address the specific needs and goals of a neighborhood
business corridor. In a world that thinks big is better, a BID stands for the small business owner who deserves credit and support for
owning and operating a business designed to serve the needs of a neighborhood. A BID stands for the property owner who has invested
heavily in providing space and opportunity for small businesses. A BID provides a smoother roadway for a more successful and prosperous
business tomorrow. Allerton, the future is waiting for you.
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, SEPTEMBER 1 BTR 3-19, 2019 15
A BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID) FOR ALLERTON
What Will a BID Do for Allerton?
The Allerton BID Development program is made
possible by a generous grant to the Allerton Business
Community by Councilmembers Ritchie Torres and
Mark Gjonaj.
Councilman Ritchie Torres Councilman Mark Gjonaj