The Arlington BID is comprised of a group of small business owners, residents, schools and other interested parties located in and around the Arlington District. The primary purpose of the BID is to establish, promote and realize a vision for revitalization, enhancing the community life of the area, the tourist and economic potential of the district, and the general atmosphere of the streets.
In 1998, leaders from the busines community came together with representatives from Vassar College, the Town, Dutchess County and area residents from the Arlington Revitalization Steering Committee. This broad public/private partnership initiated several early actions, such as street fairs and beautification, aimed at enlivening the district.
For extensive information on the revitilization project, plans for improvement and change, and artists renderings on the future face of the district, you may download the 43 page, 736kb PDF created by Project for Public Spaces, Inc. in 2002 - Arlington District: A Vision for Revitilization. All copyrights for this PDF are owned by the Arlington BID, and none of the material in this document may be used without express written permission from the BID without prior written authorization from the BID manager.
For more information, or to become involved, please contact the BID Manager, Bob Raisch, at robertraisch1@verizon.net, or visit the BID Members page of this site.
Members of the Arlington BID
President: Mike Gordon, Zimmer Jewelers Vice President: Edwin McNiff, McNiff Real-Estate Secretary: Michelle Morrill, Hidden Treasures Treasurer: Brian Rogers, Lets Get Personal Town Spervisor: Joe Davis, Town of Poughkeepsie Advisor: Anne Conroy, Economic Development Council Advisor: Laura Wojtowicz, Town Planning Board
Managing Director: Bob Raisch, John Lane Gallery Web Maintainer: TBA
Members:
Sharon Abrano-McArtin, HSBC Bank; Gloria Asciutto, The Asciutto Building; Jim Challey; Ellan Chase; Carol Enisman, Prime Financial; Burt Gold, Falkill Properties; Jeff Horst, Vassar College; Jerry Mason, Vassar College; Andrew Meade, Vassar College; Bob Ostertag, Ostertag & O'Leary; Barbara Piro, Maratelle; Todd Tancredi, 6th ward council; Chief Peter Wilkinson, Town Of Poughkeepsie Police
Contact Information
E-mail: manager@arlingtonbid.org
Phone: (845) 599-0023
Mailing: PO Box 2904, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
A BID is a public/private partnership through which a special assessment is used to finance improvements or services within a designated commercial area. In simple terms, it is a self-help program activated by self-imposed assessment.
Property and business owners form BIDs to provide enhanced services in order to reverse the deterioration of their urban business environment and to compete more effectively with suburban malls. Property owners, merchants and residents in a district agree to be assessed for improvements or services, beyond those already provided by municipal government, that will benefit only those properties included in the district. The municipality collects the funds for the BID and turns them over in their entirety to the BID. The BID Board, which is composed of property owners, merchants and residents, outlines how the funds will be spent.
A BID assists in economic development, promotes the businesses and services within its district, and creates a clean, safe environment for workers, residents, and visitors.
To find out more information on the specific mission, objectives, and initiatives of the Business Improvement District of Arlington, you may contact Bob Raisch at John Lane Gallery - robertraisch@optonline.net.
Other Notable BIDs
There are many successful and even famous BIDs around the country. Their successes, stories and experience will foster greater develoment in the Arlington District.
To find out more information on the specific mission, objectives, and initiatives of the Business Improvement District of Arlington, you may contact the BID Manager at manager@arlingtonbid.org.
