Morris Park Avenue. Image credit: GoogleMaps

Proposal encompasses 188 businesses in a 1.06 mile stretch of Morris Park Avenue in the Bronx. On August 9, 2017, the City Planning Commission approved the Department of Small Business Services’ plan to create the Morris Park Business Improvement District in the Morris Park neighborhood of the Bronx. The BID would consist of 188 properties along both sides of Morris Park Avenue, bounded by Unionport Road to the west and Williamsbridge Road to the east. The BID area is a low-density, pedestrian-friendly commercial corridor. The street is zoned with C1 and C2 commercial overlays which allows for restaurants, boutiques and specialized retails; health, legal, real estate and financial institutions; and beauty, hair and nail salons.

The BID would allow for an annual assessment on businesses to fund marketing and promotion services, beautification, economic development initiatives, and advocacy. The BID’s first-year budget would be $390,000. The contribution rate for commercial property within the district would be based on linear lot front footage. The first year lot assessment would be at approximately $42.50 per front foot per year, plus an additional $300 fee if the parcel occupies a corner. Government and not-for-profit properties are exempt.

The Commission approved the plan, calling the area a “unique Bronx and New York City neighborhood with historical character that would benefit from additional economic development initiatives.” The Commission noted that the area enhances the borough and the City “as a place to live, work and run a business.” The BID would be an advocate for Morris Park, “which may result in more City resources and public attention for this pedestrian-oriented commercial shopping and service area.”

CPC: Morris Park BID, Bronx (N 170440 BDX) (Aug. 9, 2017).

By: Jonathon Sizemore (Jonathon is the CityLaw Fellow and a New York Law School Graduate, Class of 2016).