Image Credit: explorenewdorp.com

UPDATE: The City Council’s Committee on Finance has scheduled a public hearing for the New Dorp Business Improvement District for February 15, 2017. The hearing will be held in the Committee Room at City Hall at 10:00 AM, and will be chaired by Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland.

The below report was originally published on January 11, 2017:

Proposal encompasses 180 businesses, 30 residential units and two government-owned properties. On January 4, 2016, the City Planning Commission approved the Department of Small Business Services’ plan to create the New Dorp Business Improvement District for 180 businesses in Staten Island’s New Dorp neighborhood. The BID would consist of properties along New Dorp Lane and adjacent commercial streets between Hylan Boulevard and Richmond Road.

The BID would allow for an annual assessment on businesses to fund marketing and promotion services, beautification, economic development initiatives, and advocacy. The BID will be able to solicit additional support from elected officials and other funders such as Staten Island banks, hospitals and utilities.

The BID’s first-year budget would be $135,000. The average contribution rate for commercial property would be $17 per foot per year per property, with an average yearly assessment equaling $1,080. Residential properties would contribute $1 per year. Government and not-for-profit properties are exempt.

The Commission unanimously approved the plan, finding that additional guidance and resources will help address New Dorp’s increased pedestrian activity, litter and vehicular traffic. The Commission did express concern about the tight budget for the proposed BID. The Commission noted that if the BID struggles due to lack of funding, the BID board members may need to raise the assessment rate to ensure effective operation.

The Commission’s report also noted that the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation was exploring possible additional BIDs on Hylan Boulevard and Richmond Road, stating that these would “complement and strengthen” the efforts and effect of the New Dorp BID. The New Dorp BID must be approved by the City Council and the Mayor.

CPC: New Dorp BID (N 170130 BDR) (Jan. 4, 2017).

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