A BID, or business improvement district, is a governmental entity formed by property owners for the purpose of taxing themselves and using the funds to provide supplemental maintenance, security and other maintenance services beyond what the City provides as its basic services. A BID is supported by a supplemental property tax that is collected on commercial properties with other property taxes by the City and then turned over to the BID.
In 2020, the Mayor and City Council approved the establishment of a BID in Port Covington by enacting Ordinance 20-358. This ordinance approved both the creation of the BID district and the Management Authority that will oversee the daily operations of the BID.
The Port Covington BID will provide supplemental right-of-way services to those administered by the City of Baltimore, additional services for the benefit of the District, as well as both basic and supplemental services for spaces and facilities owned by the BID. Its main responsibilities include:
- Beautification and Landscape Maintenance
- Snow Removal
- Sanitation
- Security
- Marketing and Promotions
- Events
- Fundraising
The BID Management Authority will overseen by a Board of Directors, which will propose an initial financial plan for the BID. The primary source of funding for BID activities will be the supplemental property tax assessed on properties within the BID district. The City’s Board of Estimates will review and approve the Board of Directors, the financial plan, and the supplemental property tax.
The BID’s Board of Directors, financial plan, and supplemental tax are anticipated to be approved by Baltimore City in 2021. Following those approvals, the BID will build its staff and capacity to be fully operational in 2022.
The BID will service the areas depicted in the below map.
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