Residents should help shape a successful future!

Certain property owners and businesses are in the early stages of establishing a Business Improvement District (BID) in the Meatpacking District. In its current configuration, the BID boundaries go from the north side of Horatio Street to the south side of 17th Street and from the West Side highway to Eighth Avenue.

-- Because development in the Meatpacking District has an outsized impact on local Residents, Residents should be allowed to provide input to the new BID.

-- Residents to the south of MPD are very familiar with its impact on our once quiet streets. We have been engaging with various city agencies on a host of issues such as late night noise, over-congestion, increased crime and property damage.

-- Yet MANY RESIDENTS in the impacted area ARE EXCLUDED in the BID’s boundaries and UNDER-REPRESENTED on its Steering Committee.

-- The structure of Meatpacking BID is being guided by a Steering Committee (which will eventually transition to a Board). But only 2 out of 22 Steering Committee members are Residents.

-- BID organizers should recognize that local Residents want to work with local businesses to solve common problems. Residents are especially eager to support a good balance of businesses and activities.

--If Residents are excluded at this early stage of the BID’s organization, the BID may become the only voice that is heard at City Hall, NYC agencies and in Albany.

1. The BID should change its boundaries to include more streets to the south.

a. Only speak for Residents if more of the MPD impact area participates.

2. The BID should modify its governance structure.

a. Add residential members to its Steering Committee and eventual Board structure.

b. Consider a veto for Residential Steering Committee members for certain circumstances.

3. The BID should include Residents NOW to build its future.

a. Include in its charter that the BID will be responsive to the concerns of its immediate neighbors.

b. Create a permanent advisory body to receive feedback from Residents in the Meatpacking District impact area.

For more information about the Meatpacking BID, go to: http://meatpackingbid.org