Greeson: Focusing on chance for improvement in BID’s bid

Staff photo by Doug StricklandBuildings inside a proposed Business Improvement District are seen on April 16, 2019, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The proposed district would encompass downtown Chattanooga from the Riverfront to 11th Street and from U.S. Highway 27 to different areas bordered by Cherry Street, Lindsay Street and Georgia Avenue. Staff photo by Doug StricklandBuildings inside a proposed Business Improvement District are seen on April 16, 2019, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The proposed district would encompass downtown Chattanooga from the Riverfront to 11th Street and from U.S. Highway 27 to different areas bordered by Cherry Street, Lindsay Street and Georgia Avenue.

By Jay Greeson July 25, 2019 3 min read

I admit it. I am not a downtown business owner. Sadly.

So the direct cost of the Business Improvement District being debated and, in some ways, unfairly portrayed by some local TV broadcasts does not come directly out of my pocket.

I understand the angst from some property owners and tenants of the downtown buildings for the potential increase in fees or rent.

But, I also know this: I, as a consumer, see great value in the BID, and if those downtown owners raise prices moderately to help cover those costs for the services proposed, I will not be deterred.

Jay Greeson

In fact, the BID, and its designs to improve the look, the accessibility and the security of the downtown experience, would actually increase my desire to frequent the hub of this city’s turnaround.