bids privatize public space.

This is false. A BID provides services to take care of public space, making it more dignified and enjoyable to the public. BIDs do not regulate use of public space for others in any sense, and all public space programming that BIDs do (public art, public events, etc) is done in collaboration with City government.

once formed, a bid can expand easily.

This is false. To expand its maximum budget, a BID must gain approval not only a majority of its board, but also from City Council. Expanding the budget is necessary to keep pace with inflation and cost of services, but doing so is only done rarely.

To expand its boundaries, the process is even more involved, requiring another phase of public balloting akin to that of BID formation (what we’re doing now).

bids privatize public services.

This is false. No service that the city provides is replaced in any way by BID activity. Additionally, BIDs, like other public space nonprofits, consistently advocate for increased funding for city sanitation and parks services.

bids are undemocratic.

This is false. The BID formation process not only goes through multiple levels of approval from elected officials, but also requires an extensive process of collecting ballots of support.

Once formed, a BID is governed by a board of directors elected by the membership in its annual member meeting.

bids concentrate neighborhood power.

This is false. The Northside BID proposal includes a set of core services that begins and ends with the care for public space and small businesses. The board, who can be nominated and voted on by anyone in the BID area, decides how these services are executed. The only “power” the Northside BID would have is the power to make the streets cleaner and greener.

BIds are driven by profit.

This is false. The BID is governed by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and its board is unpaid. All financial activity of the BID must be made transparent.