GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME
Downtown Billings Business
Improvement District #1
Vision becomes reality
Topics: Safety BID -
Accomplishments FY 2011 -
Recycling
PDF - Map of
BID Clean and Safe Zone
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 6 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.
Billings Business Improvement District #001
Work Plan FY 2012
Mission
Statement
The Billings Business Improvement District (BID)
is dedicated to improving the cleanliness, appearance, and
perception of safety in Downtown Billings to further enhance and
make Billings a vibrant destination for visitors,
residents, owners, employees, and students.
Business Structure
The BID operates certain revitalization, maintenance, safety and
hospitality functions under the corporate entity known as the
Billings Business Improvement District.
Products and Services
The BID will provide the following services within the designated
boundaries:
Clean program (street level)
o
Sidewalk sweeping
o
Snow removal, 4’ pedestrian right of way
o
Trash removal
o
Graffiti removal
o
Power washing
Safe program
o
Expanded Safety BID
o
Cooperative Safety Program, Downtown Resource Officers
o
Business Watch
Landscape/Beautification - Planter Maintenance
- Kit of Parts
o
Street Furniture
o
Event/Staging
Hospitality
Outreach
Contract Services
Any other lawful activity deemed necessary by the Board of Directors
Financial Forecast
The Business Improvement District is an organizing and financing
mechanism used by property owners to determine the future of their
retail, commercial and industrial areas.
The BID is based on state and local law, which permits
property owners to band together to use the city’s tax collection
powers to “assess” themselves.
These funds are collected by the city and returned in their
entirety to the BID and are used for purchasing supplemental
services (e.g. maintenance, sanitation, safety, hospitality, events,
outreach) and improvements (landscape, street furniture, etc.)
beyond those services and improvements provided by the city.
The Billings BID is publicly-sanctioned, assessment financed, and
property owner managed.
Key Staff
The BID is managed by the BID Board of Directors via the BID
Director and includes the following staff:
BID Supervisor - full time
Ambassador – full time
Part-time staff as required
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.
Accomplishments FY 2011
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!
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