DEW 14 - Southwest detroit entrepeneurship week Linn

The West Vernor & Springwells Business Improvement District –

Business Services and Role in Southwest Detroit

Rob Linn, BID Manager

Business Improvement Districts

• A Business Improvement District (BID) is funded and run by business and property owners. BIDs exist solely to improve business conditions for area businesses.

• Similar to a mall’s Common Area Maintenance (CAM) fee.

Business Improvement Districts

• More than 1,200 BIDs nationwide

• Though services depend on the needs of the neighborhood, BIDs often develop off-street parking, conduct market studies, sponsor events, provide supplemental cleaning and security services, invest in landscaping and beautification, and provide business technical assistance.

West Vernor & Springwells BID

• Michigan’s first BID, and Detroit’s only BID – though downtown is working on one.

• Annually collects about $160,000, and the median property pays $403.36.

• Begun in 2007, and up for a 10-year

renewal vote in 2014


• Includes 351 properties along West Vernor (from Clark to Woodmere) and Springwells (from W. Vernor to I-75)

• Home to 247 businesses


• The overarching goal of the West Vernor & Springwells BID is to create an environment that grows business and businesses

• Towards this end, we provide services to businesses and our business district


• District Services

• Supplementary police patrols • Litter pickup and pan & broom cleaning • Graffiti removal • 91 Litterbaskets and 13 cigarette

receptacles, and weekly maintenance • Landscaping • Snow removal • Vacant property maintenance


• Business Services

• Business attraction • Permitting and ticketing assistance and

advocacy • Property ownership and property tax

assistance • Social media consulting • Event planning and sponsorship • Direct support through mini-grants: vacant lot

improvements, signage, lighting, etc. • Business owner roundtables • Customized market analyses

Detroit BIDs

• Enabling legislation changed this winter, making BID creation easier. Under new rules, three step process:

• Petitions • Council approval • Property owner vote

• BID vote downtown this year. Other

neighborhoods are exploring the issue

Thank you! Questions?

[email protected]

313.842.0986 x29