Gowanus Business Improvement District Formation Effort
The Gowanus Improvement District Formation Effort is a community-led effort to establish a Business Improvement District (BID) in Gowanus, that would specifically focus on advocacy for and management and programming of the public realm in Gowanus. Through the Gowanus Improvement District we aim to ensure the maintenance of the public realm in Gowanus, to guarantee that all members of the community can enjoy emerging parks and public spaces, and to reinforce a vibrant live-work neighborhood.
The Gowanus Improvement District Formation Effort is led by a Steering Committee made up of an array of Gowanus stakeholders including property and business owners, developers, artists and residents. The Steering Committee includes representation from several well-established community-based organizations: Arts Gowanus, Forth on Fourth Avenue, Friends of Thomas Greene Park, and Old Stone House & Washington Park. This committee is facilitated by Gowanus Canal Conservancy, which has been advocating and caring for the public realm in Gowanus for almost 20 years, and is lending staff time and expertise to the formation effort.
From 2021-2024, the Steering Committee gathered community feedback through a Needs Assessment Survey, and developed proposed services, budget, boundary and assessment structure.
In the fall of 2024, the Steering Committee began the outreach process. Attend a public meeting and cast your vote today!
What Will a Gowanus BID Do?
Prioritize local businesses and residents
Support community-led programming and marketing, such as public art, performances, outdoor markets, promotion of local businesses and education, to help keep our unique neighborhood vibrant.
Advocate for a more resilient neighborhood
Speak out for investment and agency coordination in flood mitigation, stormwater management, remediation, streetscape improvements and other capital projects, while providing direct support to residents, businesses and property owners.
Create thriving waterfronts, parks and streets
Provide consistent, expert maintenance of waterfront esplanades and supplemental maintenance of parks and streetscapes. Open spaces will be clean, green and accessible to the entire community.
Get Involved
- Attend a Public Meeting: The Gowanus Business Improvement District Formation Effort will be hosting four public meetings this spring to share details about the proposed BID including scope of services, boundary, budget and assessment. Each meeting will have time for attendee Q&A. RSVP Here. RSVP is encouraged, but not required to attend. Each public meeting will feature the same presentation. We encourage you to attend the meeting date and time which works best for you.
- Cast a Ballot: Anyone who lives, works or owns property in the proposed district is eligible to vote. In order to move forward with the BID Formation Effort, we need 51% support. Vote here.
- Become a Volunteer BID Ambassador: We are looking for Volunteer Ambassadors to help support BID outreach efforts in Gowanus. Ambassadors will play a key role in spreading awareness about the BID and engaging with local stakeholders—including property owners, business owners, and residents.
Ambassadors are crucial in ensuring that the wider community understands the benefits of the BID and gets involved in the process. Ambassadors will have conversations with neighborhood stakeholders, gather ballots, and support outreach efforts by calling property and business owners, knocking on doors to reach people, and spreading the word about this effort. We ask for Ambassadors to commit to working on this effort for about 4 hours a month, through June 2025. This role offers a meaningful way to contribute to the future of Gowanus and ensure that the neighborhood thrives through the establishment of a funded, flexible organization dedicated to its ongoing care.
Become a Volunteer BID Ambassador by emailing gowanusimprovementdistrict[at]gmail[dot]com.