On Tuesday night, Rochester City Council voted to move forward with the planning for a proposed Business Improvement District (BID) in downtown Rochester. A BID is a public-private partnership and a special taxing district used to fund additional services, be it beautification, security or event planning. The proposal has led to polarization among community members who support it and those that don't, along with questions about what a BID actually is and does.
This hour, our guests help us understand the process, where it currently stands, and where different groups stand on the model. Our guests:
- Galin Brooks, president and CEO of Rochester Downtown Development Corporation
- Shawn Dunwoody, artist and community arts organizer
- Patrick Dutton, developer with Dutton Properties
- Brian Sharp, business and development reporter for WXXI News and CITY Magazine
