We just received word that the City Planning Commission has approved the creation of a business improvement district in Chinatown. Next step: a public hearing before the New York City Council.
In a news release, City Councilmember Margaret Chin said, ““This is a great day for the Chinatown community. The BID is an opportunity for business owners, property owners, and residents to work together to improve their surroundings, quality of life and overall prosperity. The Chinatown community will now have an organization that can advocate for its diverse interests. With this BID in place, the future for Chinatown is bright.”
All three downtown community boards approved the proposed BID late last year. During the earlier hearings, opponents spoke out against the proposal, saying a BID in Chinatown would be a waste of money and amounted to a power play among the neighborhood’s established political and business leaders.
We’ll let you know when we hear more about the scheduling of the City Council hearing. Given Chin’s backing of the BID, approval by the Council is all but certain.
