Improving and Promoting Downtown Glens Falls.
Founded in 2005, The Downtown Glens Falls Business Improvement District (BID) is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization that supports the economic, urban development and sustainability of downtown Glens Falls as an arts, entertainment, cultural, and historical gem, as well as a center for commerce.
All funds developed through the association’s special tax assessment, fundraising, event sponsorships, and in-kind donations are reinvested into downtown Glens Falls for programs such as business development initiatives and special events, as well as infrastructure improvements and beautification.
The success of all ongoing efforts to improve downtown Glens Falls for visitors, residents, and businesses depends entirely on community volunteers and support from the City of Glens Falls, partners, friends, and neighbors.
Located in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, Glens Falls New York has historically been known as the Jewel of the North Country. Together with the world famous Hyde Collection Museum, a new state of the art eighteen million dollar public library, and the recently constructed Wood Theatre, you will find Downtown Glens Falls to be a city that is making impressive strides, while preserving its historic past and timeless structures. Glens Falls has made considerable improvements within the BID; all the main arterials leading to Centennial Circle have been largely rebuilt to include granite curbs, new infrastructure, new sidewalks, and decorative Victorian lampposts. Historic Downtown Glens Falls is easily accessible from New York State I-87 just 2 miles east of exit 18. Situated ideally midway between Lake George and Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls offers a world class location filled with immediate and area attractions guaranteed to inspire the weekend visitor or the new resident.
The purpose of the improvement district is to provide the means by which the stated need for value-added improvements can be fulfilled. The intent is to form a structure by which private property owners can work in partnership with the City government to undertake specific targeted initiatives that fulfill the goal of improving the district through provision of value added services and activities. The formation and operation of a business improvement district (BID) within a designated area of the district will provide the structure and means to fulfill this purpose.
In achieving the stated intent of value-added services and activities the associated costs are intended, particularly during the initial years of operation, to be reasonable and modest so that a balance between affordability and impact can be maintained.
Furthermore, the administration of the improvement district will provide the property owners and other business leaders with an opportunity for dialogue among themselves and City officials about common needs and appropriate methods by which identified needs can be met. The specific method of administration will be a district management association (DMA). A majority of the DMA members will be property owners from within the proposed BID. Therefore, property owners will direct the projects and activities to be undertaken and set the budget for the proposed BID.
Who controls and runs the BID?
The BID is administered by a District manager Association (DMA). The DMA is a non-profit organization with a board of directors. A majority of the DMA board is property owners from within the district. The board of directors also includes a tenant representative and three people appointed by the city. Therefore, members of the BID determine how funds are spent and what activities are done.
How much is the BID tax?
The BID tax is $1.00 per thousand dollars of assessed value. Therefore an addition of $100 for every $100,000 of value is added to the tax bill of each property within the district. At this rate given the existing district boundary, the total funds raised are approximately $50,000 per year.
What are the BID’s bylaws?
Glens Falls Business Improvement District (BID) 