A Business Improvement District (“BID”) is a self-help tool, created by the Pennsylvania Legislature, allowing property owners within a self-defined area to organize and assess the cost of providing desired services for their area. When owners representing 60% of the front footage along public streets within the proposed district have petitioned to create a BID to provide services, then all owners within the district are required to contribute their proportionate share of the cost.
The BID provides a mechanism for property owners to commit resources for a collective effort to provide services beyond those provided by the municipality. The proposed plan allows owners to contract for management and services similar to those found in shopping centers and office parks.
The Downtown Indiana BID will fund a four-point services program to grow downtown property owners’ investments, namely:
- marketing and economic development
- promotion of the district
- maintenance of the district
- management services/security
