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The Poughkeepsie Common Council is seeking public feedback on the proposed Downtown Poughkeepsie Business Improvement District (BID). The BID, funded by a special assessment on property owners within the district boundaries, would establish a geographic area where local property owners, business tenants, and residents directly oversee key parts of the maintenance, improvement, and promotion of the commercial district. The initiative was introduced in a resolution approved by the Common Council, setting a public hearing for Tuesday, November 19.
Mayor Yvonne Flowers expressed optimism about the potential benefits of the BID. "We are extremely optimistic that creating a BID will provide an infusion of energy and resources to improve the downtown area," said Mayor Flowers.
The BID initiative identifies four main areas of need: maintaining clean and beautiful streets; supporting a safe and secure downtown; developing a district identity through marketing and special events; and fostering a business climate that will attract new development and commercial tenants. The community is invited to learn more about the proposed BID boundaries, how the assessment would be calculated, the organization’s preliminary budget, and what the BID revenue would accomplish at www.dtpk.org.
The public hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 19 in the Common Council Chambers, City Hall, third floor.