A coalition of local property owners wants to clean up a gritty corner of Downtown Brooklyn through the formation of a new business improvement district.
If the proposed Court-Livingston-Schermerhorn BID is formed, property owners within its boundaries — Court Street to Flatbush Avenue between Atlantic Avenue and Livingston Street — would pay an extra tax that would go straight to a fund designated for maintenance and security of the area.
City taxes already cover such things — but many business leaders form BIDs to supplement city services. There are dozens of such districts throughout the city. — Ariella Cohen
At a first public meeting about the BID held on Wednesday, Downtown Brooklyn Council Director Michael Burke said its creation would be an important step towards remaking the area into a safe, “24-hour destination.”
Burke’s enthusiasm was echoed by property owners within the proposed district, which is just south of Fulton Mall and north of Boerum Hill.
“The entire area has changed dramatically over the last five years, and a BID is essential to continuing to make the area solid and good 24-hours a day,” said Glen Schor, a real-estate developer who is converting the old Macy’s building into an office tower.
