Cypress Hills Fulton Business Improvement District:
Building a Unified Vision for Local Economic Development
The Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation (CHLDC) serves as a crucial community resource for the Cypress Hills and East New York neighborhoods through its programs focused on youth, housing, workforce development, and community organizing. In response to the need for stronger support for local businesses, CHLDC launched into the mandated formation process of the Cypress Hills Fulton Business Improvement District (CHFBID). Perch Advisors played an integral role in Phase 1 of this process by establishing a Steering Committee composed of property owners, business owners, and residents. Perch guided the development and distribution of a Commercial District Needs Assessment, helped build consensus on the BID's proposed services, geography, and budget, and created the official CHFBID support ballot. Currently, Perch Advisors is assisting in Phase 2, helping gather support statements and engaging the community to ensure a successful BID formation.
Overview
Stakeholders and Partners Geography
Cypress Hills Business Partners Cypress Hills, Brooklyn, NY
BID Formation Steering Committee
NYC Department of Small Business Services Timeline
Office of Local NYC Council Member 2019 - present
Challenges
The need to build consensus among diverse stakeholders (property owners, business owners, and residents) regarding the BID’s scope, services, and geography
Gathering sufficient community support to ensure the successful formation of the BID
Navigating the complex BID formation process, which required clear communication, engagement strategies, and data collection
Maximizing the impact of recent rezoning efforts to ensure that small businesses and long-time residents benefit from new development along Fulton Street
Our Approach
Perch Advisors took a community-first approach to the formation of the Cypress Hills Fulton BID, helping the CHLDC and the Steering Committee lead an inclusive, transparent process. We guided the development and distribution of a Commercial District Needs Assessment to better understand community perceptions and business needs, while also building consensus around the geography, services, and assessment formula for the prospective BID. Our efforts included strategic outreach to the broader community, ensuring that residents, property owners, and business owners were aligned on the BID's goals and supported its formation.
Steering Committee Development:
We helped CHLDC establish the CHFBID Steering Committee, composed of property owners, business owners, and residents, to lead the BID formation process. This ensured diverse representation and accountability throughout the formation process.
Commercial District Needs Assessment:
Perch Advisors developed and analyzed a comprehensive Needs Assessment, gathering critical feedback from the community to understand local business challenges, perceptions, and the demand for a BID. This data was instrumental in shaping the vision for the BID and ensuring that it reflected community priorities.
Community Consensus Building:
Through a series of engagement sessions, Perch Advisors facilitated discussions around the proposed BID's geography, services, budget, and assessment formula. We developed outreach strategies to communicate the benefits of the BID to the community and created the official support ballot to capture endorsements from local stakeholders.
Outcomes & Impacts:
Cultivating Community Consensus: Perch Advisors successfully facilitated the development of a common vision for the neighborhood, ensuring that all stakeholders were aligned on the goals and benefits of the BID.
Deeper Understanding of Community Needs: The Commercial District Needs Assessment provided invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the Cypress Hills community, enabling the Steering Committee to make informed decisions.
Increased Awareness of BID Opportunities: Perch Advisors helped raise awareness of the benefits of forming a BID, ensuring that the community recognized the value it would bring to local businesses and residents.
Maximizing Rezoning Efforts: By integrating the BID formation with recent rezoning efforts, Perch Advisors helped ensure that small businesses and long-time residents could benefit from incoming development along Fulton Street.
Insights
The formation of the Cypress Hills Fulton BID highlights the importance of community consensus and data-driven decision-making. By engaging the community through a structured outreach process and providing them with a platform to voice their needs and concerns, Perch Advisors ensured that the BID was a true reflection of local priorities. The integration of rezoning efforts into the BID’s strategic planning further emphasized the need for forward-thinking, inclusive economic development strategies.
Conclusion
Perch Advisors’ work with the Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation (CHLDC) on the Cypress Hills Fulton BID exemplifies our expertise in BID Formation and Expansion. By facilitating community consensus, guiding data collection, and navigating the complex BID formation process, we helped build a foundation for long-term economic growth in Cypress Hills. Our community-first approach ensured that the BID would serve as a vital tool for supporting local businesses, residents, and the broader economic development of Fulton Street.
