GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME

Downtown Billings Business Improvement District #1
Vision becomes reality 

Topics:  Safety BID - Objective 08-09 - Recycling

Check out our 2009 Golden Broom Award Winner

PDF - Map of Current BID

When the initial plans in the Framework were sketched out just over a decade ago, visionaries saw the potential to create a clean, safe, and friendly downtown where businesses would thrive and where people would love to live, work, and play.  The Business Improvement District (BID) is so proud to have served downtown for 3 years now!   

The most visible element of the Clean and Safe programs of the BID is the men and women in purple uniforms known as the Purple People.  The BID has had a measurable impact on the 18 block district as evidenced in not only a cleaner and safer district, but in a friendlier downtown.  It is not uncommon to see a BID ambassador handing out parking tokens and directories, giving directions or a personal escort, or helping a homeless individual to a resource agency.  The Purple People are daily committed to achieving a higher standard in the delivery of services offered in the BID work plan. 

The BID has taken a leadership role in quality of life issues like panhandling and graffiti and led the effort to change policy regarding panhandling and aggressive solicitation in our city.  Spare Change for Real Change, our giving/resource program, continues be a viable alternative to giving money to panhandlers. The BID celebrates its partnerships and collaborations with the City of Billings, the Billings Police Department, the Downtown Billings Partnership, the Downtown Billings Association, the Chamber of Commerce, Faith Leaders, Property Owners, and Merchants.  The BID is especially excited to forge partnerships this new year with the Billings Industrial Revitalization District (BIRD) to the east of the core and the Old Town Neighbors, Inc. (OTN) to the south.   

Accomplishments 07-08

• Intensive litter control and daily cleaning of the District including power washing,

• graffiti removal

• Beautification projects including Hanging Flower Baskets

• Honey Locust Tree Maintenance Program

• Weed Control

• Event Facilitation/Staging

• Downtown Billings Information Booth

• Meet and Greets

• Merchant/Property Owner Visits

• Directory and poster distribution

• Police and American Medical Response Assist

• Homeless Referrals-Outreach-Project Homeless Connect

As you can see, every day is a busy day in the BID!  This fiscal year’s objectives, over and above daily services, are ambitious and support the BID’s primary goal of making Downtown Billings consistently clean, orderly, and beautiful for all to enjoy.

Objectives 08-09

• Continued growth and expansion of the district allowing the BID to bring programs and initiatives to new areas 

• Launching of Cooperative Security Program to include a dedicated downtown officer
  (PROPERTY OWNERS - SEE OUR NEW BENEFIT ZONE 2 - COOPERATIVE SECURITY)

• Evaluate the feasibility of recycling as part of the clean program

• Refine hospitality/ambassador program

• Improve stakeholder communications

• Acquire new BID truck   

Business Improvement Districts have unleashed enormous amounts of private sector creativity towards the solutions of public problems.  BIDs have returned to an earlier set of values regarding public space and the effect is far reaching as we welcome more and more people into our downtown.  People are voting with their feet!  The efforts of the BID are designed to strengthen Downtown Billings’ overall social, economic, and environmental vitality.  The efforts are commendable, the benefits tremendous!

Recycling Initiative:  We have lift off with our recycling program!  As a pilot project, we have had recycling containers placed in the alley off 2nd Avenue between N. Broadway and 29th streets for your use.  Currently we have receptacles for cardboard collection and are awaiting receptacles for paper, plastic, and aluminum.  Encourage your employees and office mates to break down cardboard and use the receptacles!  Thank you to Montague's Jewelers and MSU-B Downtown for their generous sponsorship of these receptacles.  If you would like to help us expand this program by sponsoring a receptacle, please contact Lisa Harmon, lharmon@downtownbillings.com or 294-5060.  Clean, Safe, and Earth-Friendly downtown!