Hartford Business Improvement District
31 Pratt Street, 5th fl
Hartford, Connecticut 06103
860-728-2274 office
860-293-2592 fax
www.hartfordbid.com

• What is a BID?
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  BID Budget
  
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The goal of the Hartford BID is a clean, safe,
well-managed district that can successfully compete as an attractive location for business, tourism, entertainment and dining, shopping and living.

The mission of the Hartford Business Improvement District (HBID) is to bring about positive and lasting change by enhancing the economic vitality and quality of life within the District. Working collectively with the Mayor’s Office, Police Department and Public Works Department, as well as the more than 100 property owners and other organizations within the District, HBID will accomplish its mission through initiatives that will create a safer, cleaner and more attractive environment for employees, visitors and residents that frequent the District.

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In October of 2006, taxable property owners in Downtown and Asylum Hill passed a City referendum to establish a business improvement district. The referendum passed with positive ballots cast by almost 70% of the properties in the district representing more than 78% of the assessed value. The referendum capped almost two years of work by property owners and business and civic leaders, spearheaded by the MetroHartford Alliance, Business for Downtown Hartford, Greater Hartford Arts Council and other civic organizations. The successful referendum was seen by many as the next logical step in Hartford’s continued revitalization.

Widely credited with transforming commercial districts in other cities, BIDs have become important economic engines in more than a thousand downtowns across the country. The BID model empowers property owners by placing control of the district’s affairs in the owner’s hands. Property owners develop a vision for their district and manage programs that help it succeed.

With the establishment of the District, property owners are now responsible for paying an additional 1 mill assessment above and beyond their regular municipal taxes to fund the district’s programs. The private dollars generated from the assessment are joined by a contribution from the City to support the BID’s efforts.

In November of 2006, a 23-person Board of Commissioners was elected to govern the affairs of the District (board list below). The new Board immediately determined that public safety and cleanliness were two important priorities for the District. To that end, HBID has worked to develop and launch ‘safe and clean’ on-street program operations in early May.

Short-term results of the new BID include safer, cleaner streets and a closer attention to quality of life issues that will make the district a more attractive place to live and do business. HBID will place numerous security ambassadors on the street to provide a safe, reassuring presence and will more than triple the current number of street sweepers. The beautification program will place several hundred new flower planters throughout the District and graffiti will be removed within 24 hours of its appearance.There are also plans for additional marketing and promotion of the Downtown and Asylum Hill. Tangible long-term results include decreased vacancy rates, increased demand for office, retail and residential space, increased investment and new business development.

For more information on the Hartford Business Improvement District, please visit www.hartfordbid.com or contact Michael Zaleski, Executive Director at 860-728-2274.