NORWICH - Downtown Norwich merchants gathered Wednesday night to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Norwich Business Improvement District and call to order its annual meeting.

Better known as “BID,” the organization was formed in 1986 with the creation of the city’s Hayes Street Parking lot located behind Broad Street businesses on the west side of the main thoroughfare. The parking lot was formerly the site of Benedict’s automobile dealership, which was taken via eminent domain.

In her presentation, BID President Pegi LoPresti jokingly referred to parking problems then, now and “probably forever.” LoPresti pointed to the numerous BID-related annual projects and accomplishments including new sidewalks, period lighting and street signs downtown to sidewalk sales, music in the parks, Pumpkin Festival, and holiday theme decorations and lighting. She honored longtime park lighting decorator Stu Chase, whom she called “Mr. Christmas.”