CPC approves KK BID
October 1, 2009
By Tony Zielinski, 14th District Milwaukee Alderman
A Business Improvement District (BID) is an economic development tool used to help maximize business growth along a major business strip. BIDs are areas where property owners in designated geographic areas voluntarily collect annual assessments that are spent on projects that enhance the local business environment. These may include improvements to the streetscape, marketing efforts, business recruitment activity, and security programs.
The proposed BID for Bay View is along Kinnickinnic Avenue from Becher Street to Morgan Avenue. The initial plan targets the money for security guards and graffiti removal. While KK is one of the safest business strips in the city, we want to make it even safer yet, and special security for KK will go a long way toward achieving that goal. The BID can also take advantage of the graffiti removal grant matching program whereby the city will match any money designated for graffiti removal. This will ensure that all the businesses will have graffiti removed more quickly, thereby helping the overall image of the business strip and making it a more attractive place to shop. This in turn will help us attract even more businesses.
However, the BID board, which will be composed of stakeholders along KK, can change the target of the money for other efforts in succeeding years.
The City Planning Commission public hearing on proposed BID #44 (for Kinnickinnic Avenue from Morgan Avenue to Becher Street) was held Sept. 21 and the BID was passed unanimously. The next step is for the item to come before the city’s Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Tony Zielinski is the city of Milwaukee’s alderman for the 14th District, which includes Bay View. He can be reached at tzieli@milwaukee.gov or (414) 286-3769.
Community Meeting
A community meeting with city department representatives to answer questions about city services is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 6 in the Bay View High School Auditorium at 6pm. In attendance should be the captain of the Sixth Police District (now Bay View’s district), tax assessor, and representatives for street sweeping, parking enforcement, forestry, snow plowing, sanitation, and street repairs.
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Bill Lewis on Tue, 20th Oct 2009 7:47 am
Great the Alderman thinks creating another level of government is a good idea to provide security and cleaning the streets.
What about the police and public works department? $5 per $1000 adds up quick.
gary guetzlaff on Thu, 22nd Oct 2009 10:27 pm
“While KK is one of the safest business strips in the city, we want to make it even safer yet,” - Tony Zielinski
So, $30,000 for private security services? $15,000 for grafitti removal services? In “one of the safest business strips in the city”? That’s how the government reasons. Get off of our backs! And take your cronies with you.
Notes from the Sept. 2 Larson-Plale debate « Haas414 on Thu, 2nd Sep 2010 11:53 pm
[...] testify to. [Yes, we will—they're hideous! Thanks, Scotty!] The money could go to a BID on KK. [Such a BID exists, but could use more funding.] Plale answered that “we have people who care in Bay [...]