Add Your Name to the Far Rock Village BID

Proposed Far Rock Village BID (BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT)
Notification & Comment Solicitation Form

Dear Far Rock Village Neighbor:

The Far Rock Village BID Steering Committee, a group of community stakeholders, is proposing to create a Business Improvement District (BID) in the Downtown Far Rockaway commercial corridor. We are calling for your support in this effort.

BIDs have delivered a range of services in New York City neighborhoods in order to improve the business climate and general quality of life.The Far Rock Village BID Steering Committee has developed a plan to address the challenges and demands of the area, provide supplemental services and district resources, and position the organization to act as a liaison for property owners and tenants in dealing with local elected officials and city agencies.

The Far Rock Village BID Steering Committee has met regularly to discuss the formation of a Business Improvement District. The Steering Committee has hosted conversations with Far Rock Village stakeholders, and executed an extensive formal survey of the community to determine priority issues and concerns on the commercial corridor. The Steering Committee is focused on creating an organizational structure to deliver resources in an efficient and effective manner.

As part of the BID Plan, property owners and taxpayers of record would be charged a special assessment that would fund the following services to support the local property owners and business community:

• Dedicated staff to manage the organization and programs
• Community based Public Safety program
• Sanitation and Maintenance services (enhanced services proposed including, but not limited to, sidewalk sweeping, graffiti removal, and snow removal at corners)
• Streetscaping and Decorations (holiday lighting, banners, additional decor)
• Business Support (post-COVID recovery, technical assistance, resource advocacy)
• Community & Business Marketing & Promotions (events, social media, district branding)
• Advocacy (liaising with City agencies to address district concerns)

Boundaries of Proposed District

• Central Avenue – from Mott Avenue to Nameoke Street
• Cornaga Avenue – from Beach 22nd Street to Mott Avenue
• Beach 20th – Mott to Cornaga
• Beach 21st – from Cornaga Avenue to Mott Avenue
• Beach Channel Drive – from Mott Avenue to Dix Avenue
• Mott Avenue – from Cornaga Avenue to Central, extending east to Gateway Boulevard for the odd side of the street to Beach Channel Drive
• Beach 20th Street – from Cornaga Avenue to Seagirt Boulevard

BY LAW, NO CURRENT CITY SERVICES, SUCH AS POLICE OR SANITATION, MAY BE REDUCED AS A RESULT OF BID SERVICES

Annual BID Budget

The Steering Committee proposes a maximum assessment budget of $1,500,000 annually. If implemented, the Board of Directors determine assessment budget and could be set lower but not to exceed the above maximum.

Annual BID Assessment

The committee has developed a formula to calculate the assessment for each property in the proposed district based on lot frontage and commercial square footage. The assessment will be based on the applicable property’s Far Rock Village’s frontage (or applicable side street), and the amount of commercial square footage, or if vacant or parking, the lot square footage the property has–see table below. The maximum annual BID assessment noted above cannot be increased without the approval of the BID Board of Directors, and a legislative process that includes the NYC Department of Small Business Services, and the City Council. Note that residential and commercial property owners within the proposed district will be billed the assessment. Property owners may be able to pass some or all of the assessment along to their commercial tenants (merchants), depending upon the terms of individual commercial leases. Residential tenants are NOT responsible for any BID assessments that come to their property owner. Residential property owners are assessed a nominal fee of $1. The NYC Department of Finance is responsible for collecting the BID assessment and will forward these funds in full to the BID for local spending.

BID Organization & Outreach

The BID is a not-for-profit corporation with a volunteer Board of Directors who are elected annually from the full BID membership and include local property owners, merchants (commercial tenants), and residential tenants. By law, the Board also includes representatives of the Mayor, Borough President, Comptroller, local City Council Member and Community Board.

The Far Rock Village BID Steering Committee will be hosting two public meetings to share and discuss details. These meeting dates are not yet set but will be targeted for the Winter of 2023–stay in touch. You are invited to attend and invite other neighbors to have all of your BID related questions answered. As we finalize our outreach efforts, we are very interested in answering any questions that you may have regarding the proposed Far Rock Village BID and knowing your level of support.

Please complete the section below and return it to: