“The first bill before me today is Introductory Number 347, sponsored at the request of the Administration by Council Members Weprin, Gentile, Recchia, White, Oddo and the Public Advocate, Betsy Gotbaum.  This bill establishes the Bay Ridge 5th Avenue Business Improvement District in Brooklyn.

“Business Improvement Districts (also known as “BIDs”) are community organizations that are voluntarily formed to promote business development and improve the quality of life in neighborhoods across the City.  Established by local law, BIDs are self-funded by local property owners and are overseen by the City’s Department of Small Business Services.  The Bay Ridge 5th Avenue BID will provide maintenance and sanitation services, holiday lighting and decoration, marketing and promotion of the shopping strip and street beautification.  The services provided to the communities are essential to ensuring that small businesses and neighborhoods in which they operate are given every opportunity to succeed.

“I would like to thank Rob Walsh, the Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services, and his staff for their role in establishing the City’s 55th BID.  I also want to acknowledge the important contributions of the members of the Bay Ridge BID Steering Committee and the City Council.”