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BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)
RENEWAL TIMELINE
2012-2013
JANUARY 2012
-Meeting with City of Philadelphia Commerce Department
-Advise Board of Directors – consultant options
-Ridge Avenue Street Ambassador Program starts
FEBRUARY 2012
-Councilmember contacted
-City of Philadelphia Legal Department contacted
-List of potential members to serve on the Steering Committee drafted
-Survey for BID Members drafted
MARCH - APRIL - MAY 2012
-RDC Executive Committee: Steering Committee list of candidates confirmed
-Steering Committee finalized
-List of achievements for June’s mailing completed
-Meeting with Council & City of Philadelphia Legal Department
JUNE - JULY - AUGUST 2012
-Invitation letter for Steering Committee prepared
-BID Billing mailed
-Letters to invite BID Steering Committee Members mailed
-First Steering Committee Meeting – BID concept introduced, purpose and process; BID background, role of the Steering Committee, Vision, City of Philadelphia Commerce Department. Proposed timeline introduced, BIDAC status
-Second Steering Committee Meeting – Boundaries of service area established, vision finalized, method of calculating dual rate of assessment formula, Ambassador Program introduced and length of term established
-Third Steering Committee Meeting – First year budget, survey results updated, services and improvement priorities discussed and ordinance reviewed
-Councilmember updated on Steering Committee progress and plan
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2012
-Preliminary ordinance drafted with proposed changes
-Preliminary ordinance sent to City of Philadelphia Legal Department:
Bylaws
Ordinance with proposed changes
Proposed method of assessment
Budget
District map
List of properties
-Forth Steering Committee Meeting – Additional issues addressed, five year budget, survey reviewed, necessary program and services changes made, public hearings
-Public hearing for January prepared and newspaper advertisement placed
-RDC Board presentation October 9, 2012. Presentation by Steering Committee of preliminary plan
-Presentation of preliminary plan to City of Philadelphia Commerce Department
-Fifth Steering Committee Meeting – called if necessary, ordinance issues that are not yet resolved discussed, public hearing and any other projects still pending
-Meeting with City Council – presentation of preliminary plan
-First and second community open house, presentation of the draft plan
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2012
-Resolution and bill introduced in City Council stated meeting November 1, 2012, resolution adopted – bill referred to rules committee
-Distribute ordinance with notice of 1st public hearing after 30 days
JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2013
-First public hearing, on preliminary plan in rules committee – ordinance and plan.
-Second public hearing on final plan in rules committee
-Legislation voted out of rules committee
MARCH - APRIL 2013
-Start 45 days objection period - first week of March
-End of objection period - mid April
-First reading of bill in City Council stated meeting
MAY - JUNE 2013
-Second reading of bill in City Council stated meeting
-Signing of ordinance by mayor
-City of Philadelphia Commerce Director enters in agreement with BID on City’s behalf
-Kick off 5th Anniversary party
The Roxborough District Assessment is working to improve the economic vitality of the Ridge Avenue Commercial Corridor. The 2012-2013 charge is based on the assessed value of taxable property as determined by the City of Philadelphia's Bureau of Revision of Taxes. Property owners within the district, are obligated to pay the charge by the following laws: Pennsylvania Municipality Authorities Act of 1945 as well as the Philadelphia City Ordinance 96031 (approved November 25, 1996). Annual charges are computed by calculating the taxable assessed value of a property by the total assessment rate of either 0.81% or 1.51% depending on the location of your property. If the certifiable taxable assessed value of your property is reduced on appeal to the City of Philadelphia's Bureau of Revision of Taxes, the District will allow a credit against your property's next annual charge only if a request for credit, stemming from the certified reduction in the property valuation is received within the calendar year which it applies. It is the property owner's responsibility to provide proof of the successful appeal.
Roxborough has always had a mainstay of civic organizations, most of which helped activate the BID movement in early 2000. Primarily driven by the Roxborough Development Corporation (RDC), the City endorsed the RDC in June 2003. The RDC is the duly authorized Neighborhood Improvment District Managment Association. Supplemental services provided by the RDC include marketing, beautification and cleaning, parking, and public safety. The force behind the RDC was the combined effort of the Central Roxborough Civic Association (CRCA) and the Roxborough Business Association (RBA) in 1991. According to Jack Harmer, charter member and treasurer of the RDC, RBA president Sam Millouzo challenged his colleagues to rectify the dilapidated Foster Shoe Store, which had become an eyesore due to multiple fires. The RBA and the CRCA then each supplied six members to jointly formulate the RDC. As the RDC grew, the Business Improvement District Advisory Council (BIDAC) was formed. Today the BIDAC works to promote RDC member communication and connection.
BIDAC Chairman Jack Wheeler helping clean the Ridge
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors oversees the effectiveness of the Roxborough Development Corporation in advancing and accomplishing its mission. It articulates strategic direction, provides support and monitors the impact of the organization. For a list of current board members visit our director's page.
RENEWAL STEERING COMMITTEE
The Steering Committee guides the BID planning process and serves as its public face. The work of the committee will shape the future of the BID for the next 5 or 10 years. Further, it will establish a new assessment metric and “steer” the organization through the legislative process of renewal.
The operations and the vision of the Roxborough Development Corporation and the Ridge Avenue Commercial Corridor require the volunteerism of local residents and merchants. Regardless of your educational and professional background there are
many ways you can help the RDC to make Roxborough and Ridge Avenue better.Visit our volunteer page for more information.