Business Improvement District celebrates 25 years
NORWICH – The city’s Business Improvement District – formed in October 1986 – celebrated its 25-year anniversary with an overview of its history, a number of guest speakers and an update on the East and West Parks project at its annual meeting Friday.
BID Board President Deb Sylstra said there were several questions raised when the BID was originally created over two decades ago, with many people asking if the organization was even necessary and wondering if it would it survive.
“Thankfully, we live in a community where people step up and serve,” said Sylstra, who added that – since it was formed – the BID has been involved with – and responsible for – a number of successful projects.
Incorporated as a non-profit corporation in 1992, the original goals of the BID remain constant today: improve downtown, generate more retail traffic, assist organizations with new projects, develop new programs, recruit new businesses and work in partnership with the city, according to BID Vice President Mary Davis.
“At that time, the primary objective of the BID was the completion of a Streetscape project,” said Davis, which would include “sidewalk replacement, decorative inlay, street trees, pedestrian level lighting, underground wiring and street furniture to revitalize our downtown.”
Once funding for the estimated $920,000 undertaking was in place, the Streetscape project began to take shape, with renovations to the downtown district commencing in 2000. A few years later, said Davis, the BID’s vision for downtown had become a reality.
Recently, the BID was awarded another $500,000 in city revitalization grant funding, which will be utilized to renovate additional downtown businesses and structures in the near future.
“It’s all about improving our downtown and bringing people into this community,” said Executive Director Pegi LoPresti. “People want a viable downtown to visit.”
Guest speaker and Frontier Communications Vice President of Operations Jim Currie said the number of times he’s left Norwich – and returned – has given him a unique perspective into the many achievements the BID has been a part of over the years. Once the East and West Parks project is finished, he added, the new look of downtown should act as a magnet, drawing more people into the city.
“The BID is a critical part of that,” stated Currie. “I’m proud to live here. I’m every bit as proud of this city now as I was 25 years ago.”
Mayor Joe Maiurano said one need only look around to see the progress that has been made over the past two decades. Those accomplishments would never have been possible without the BID, he added, in addition to the numerous volunteers who assist in everything the organization does.
LoPresti agreed and said the BID has come a long way in its 25 years thanks to those volunteers.
“I get to work with some great people. Everything we do is a team process and that is why it works so well,” she added.
A pair of those who have volunteered numerous times over the years – Gary and Holly Brightman – received the BID’s 2011 Commitment to Community Award on Friday. Each year, the BID recognizes a business or individual that has gone above and beyond in the community.
“Both Gary and Holly have given their time so unselfishly, and it’s a privilege to work side by side with them,” said LoPresti when presenting the couple with the award. “I’m honored to call both of you my friends.”
After over a decade in the works, the BID and the Friends of the Park organization will finally see the East and West Parks Project completed this summer, announced LoPresti. Friends of the Park board member Eric Larsen said it’s “come a long way” and it’s “great to see it really start to happen.”
According to Larsen, renovations to West Park should be finished by July 1, with work on East Park to be completed sometime later that month. The Brightmans, he added, were an important part of the project’s volunteer effort.
Over the course of the past 25 years, the BID has been responsible for – or associated with – a remarkable number of events and activities, stated Sylstra. From the Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival, Pumpkinfest, the annual Easter Egg Hunt, Main Street Sweep, Classic Car and Motorcycle Cruise-In, Lunchtime LIVE, Downtown Tree-Lighting Ceremony and Santa’s Igloo to the Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, Relay For Life, the Chenango County Fair and the Chenango Blues Fest, all owe some part of their success to the efforts of the BID.
“We have come a long way,” added Davis. “As we look back, the BID should be proud of what accomplishments have been made. Some, like Pumpkinfest, Colorscape and Gus Macker, have been extremely successful.”
For more information on the Business Improvement District call 336-1811 or visit www.norwichbid.org.
BID Board President Deb Sylstra said there were several questions raised when the BID was originally created over two decades ago, with many people asking if the organization was even necessary and wondering if it would it survive.
“Thankfully, we live in a community where people step up and serve,” said Sylstra, who added that – since it was formed – the BID has been involved with – and responsible for – a number of successful projects.
Incorporated as a non-profit corporation in 1992, the original goals of the BID remain constant today: improve downtown, generate more retail traffic, assist organizations with new projects, develop new programs, recruit new businesses and work in partnership with the city, according to BID Vice President Mary Davis.
“At that time, the primary objective of the BID was the completion of a Streetscape project,” said Davis, which would include “sidewalk replacement, decorative inlay, street trees, pedestrian level lighting, underground wiring and street furniture to revitalize our downtown.”
Once funding for the estimated $920,000 undertaking was in place, the Streetscape project began to take shape, with renovations to the downtown district commencing in 2000. A few years later, said Davis, the BID’s vision for downtown had become a reality.
Recently, the BID was awarded another $500,000 in city revitalization grant funding, which will be utilized to renovate additional downtown businesses and structures in the near future.
“It’s all about improving our downtown and bringing people into this community,” said Executive Director Pegi LoPresti. “People want a viable downtown to visit.”
Guest speaker and Frontier Communications Vice President of Operations Jim Currie said the number of times he’s left Norwich – and returned – has given him a unique perspective into the many achievements the BID has been a part of over the years. Once the East and West Parks project is finished, he added, the new look of downtown should act as a magnet, drawing more people into the city.
“The BID is a critical part of that,” stated Currie. “I’m proud to live here. I’m every bit as proud of this city now as I was 25 years ago.”
Mayor Joe Maiurano said one need only look around to see the progress that has been made over the past two decades. Those accomplishments would never have been possible without the BID, he added, in addition to the numerous volunteers who assist in everything the organization does.
LoPresti agreed and said the BID has come a long way in its 25 years thanks to those volunteers.
“I get to work with some great people. Everything we do is a team process and that is why it works so well,” she added.
A pair of those who have volunteered numerous times over the years – Gary and Holly Brightman – received the BID’s 2011 Commitment to Community Award on Friday. Each year, the BID recognizes a business or individual that has gone above and beyond in the community.
“Both Gary and Holly have given their time so unselfishly, and it’s a privilege to work side by side with them,” said LoPresti when presenting the couple with the award. “I’m honored to call both of you my friends.”
After over a decade in the works, the BID and the Friends of the Park organization will finally see the East and West Parks Project completed this summer, announced LoPresti. Friends of the Park board member Eric Larsen said it’s “come a long way” and it’s “great to see it really start to happen.”
According to Larsen, renovations to West Park should be finished by July 1, with work on East Park to be completed sometime later that month. The Brightmans, he added, were an important part of the project’s volunteer effort.
Over the course of the past 25 years, the BID has been responsible for – or associated with – a remarkable number of events and activities, stated Sylstra. From the Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival, Pumpkinfest, the annual Easter Egg Hunt, Main Street Sweep, Classic Car and Motorcycle Cruise-In, Lunchtime LIVE, Downtown Tree-Lighting Ceremony and Santa’s Igloo to the Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, Relay For Life, the Chenango County Fair and the Chenango Blues Fest, all owe some part of their success to the efforts of the BID.
“We have come a long way,” added Davis. “As we look back, the BID should be proud of what accomplishments have been made. Some, like Pumpkinfest, Colorscape and Gus Macker, have been extremely successful.”
For more information on the Business Improvement District call 336-1811 or visit www.norwichbid.org.
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