By Alexander Dworkowitz
The city Planning Commission last week unanimously approved the plan to bring a Business Improvement District to downtown Flushing.
As expected, the board passed the plan at its May 21 meeting.
“Flushing is one of the city's most dynamic regional business centers, and the BID will support its continued growth and vitality,” said Amanda Burden, chairwoman of the commission.
In a BID, property owners pay an annual assessment in exchange for increased services such as more garbage pickups, holiday lighting and business advertisements.
The Flushing BID has a budget of $380,000, almost all of which would go to sanitation services and holiday decorations.
The proposed BID includes Main Street from Northern Boulevard to Sanford Avenue, Roosevelt Avenue from Prince Street to Union Street, 39th Avenue from College Point Boulevard to 138th Street, 40th Road, and a short segment of Kissena Boulevard.
Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing), who has pushed hard for the plan, was happy with the Planning Commission's vote.
“I'm very pleased. It's not surprising. The plan is solid,” he said.
The plan, which has also been approved by Community Board 7, now heads to the City Council, where it is expected to be approved and signed into law by Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Liu hopes the BID will be up and running by November.
Earlier this year, a group of Flushing property owners challenged the plan, saying it lacked support.
Liu, however, said about 75 percent of the property owners backed the BID.
A spokesman for the city Department of Business Services, which is in charge of administering BIDs, said Liu's figure was correct.
Reach reporter Alexander Dworkowitz by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 718-229-0300 Ext. 141.
