FILING the BID OBJECTION FORM
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The DEADLINE for FILING an OBJECTION to the SoHo BID Plan:
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5:00 PM on Friday April 12, 2013
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INFORMATION for FILING the BID Objection Form from Small Business Services:
1) Only a Property Owner along Broadway in SoHo can file an Objection to the SoHo BID
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2) The Objection Form must be accompanied by a copy of the deed, a certified copy is not needed.
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3) The completed Objection Form has to be notarized by a notary public.
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4) The Objection Form does not have to be notarized before the Commissioner of Deeds.
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5) The Objection Form should be FILED at the New York City Clerk’s Office:
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Office of the City Clerk
141 Worth Street
(NE Corner of Worth & Centre Street: MAP)
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POINTS to NOTE when Objecting to the SoHo BID and for Structuring a Better Plan:
- The SoHo BID Plan does not adequately address the unique nature of our Mixed-Use Neighborhood
- No guarantee covering equitable representation for all residents on the BID Board
- Unnecessary allowance for a wide range of “User Rights” on Shared Public Space along Broadway
- The door is left open for BID taxes levied on Co-ops & Condos to be increased in the future
- BID By-Laws must be required to be made public & accessible
- BID Board Meetings must be open and allow for real dialog with the community
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QUESTIONS on FILING the Objection Form should be addressed to:
ELIZABETH DE LEÓN BHARGAVA, ESQ. | DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
Neighborhood Development Division
NYC Department of Small Business Services
110 William Street, 7th Floor | New York, NY 10038
T. (212) 513-6414
E. edeleon@sbs.nyc.gov
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Speaking Out for a Fair Plan in SoHo
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We continue to believe the SoHo BID proposal is NOT the right answer, but we offer
THANKS to all who support a FAIR & EQUITABLE PLAN for SoHo …
Read the Press Reports:
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SoHo BID Battle Rages On at City Council Hearing
DNA Info (March 14, 2013)
SoHo BID sparks battle at Council hearing
The REAL DEAL (March 14, 2013)
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The 30-Day OBJECTION Period has begun …
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Only PROPERTY OWNERS may file an Objection:
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… any owner of real property, deemed benefitted and therefore within the district, objecting to the plan must file an objection at the office of the city clerk within thirty days of the conclusion of the hearing on forms made available by the city clerk …
Per NYS & NYC BID Law — Section 25-406 (b)
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DOWNLOAD the OBJECTION FORM HERE
On the Objection Form, ENTER this info:
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Name of District: SoHo Business Improvement District
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Resolution No.: Res. 1665
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The Owner’s Property DEED is REQUIRED
More INFO on Filing the OBJECTION will be posted soon
DEADLINE for Filing Objections: April 12, 2013 at 5PM
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SoHo BID: PUBLIC HEARING at City Hall – March 13, 2013 at 10 AM
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The legally required HEARING for the SoHo BID proposal has been scheduled:
Wednesday, March 13 at 10:00 AM
CITY HALL, 2nd Floor
City Council Committee Chambers
Committee on Finance
Domenic M. Recchia, Chair
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The SoHo BID Plan as now presented is neither fair nor necessary …
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COME to City Hall and SPEAK OUT!
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DEMAND an Equitable and Inclusive PLAN for Broadway:
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FAIR REPRESENTATION for RESIDENTIAL OWNERS & TENANTS
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NO WEIGHTED VOTING (Unfairly Based on Assessed Value of Property)
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PROTECT OUR PUBLIC SPACE: NO COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY on STREETS & SIDEWALKS
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OPENNESS & TRANSPARENCY in BID GOVERNANCE & OPERATIONS
- FOCUS the BID: SIDEWALK SWEEPING, CONGESTION, VENDOR CONTROL
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TELL Councilmember Margaret Chin to Represent her Constituents and …
MAKE a FAIR PLAN for SoHo
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THANKS to ALL Who Support a Better Plan for Broadway
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SoHo came out strong for the City Council Oversight Hearing on the SoHo BID!
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Read the press coverage of the Hearing at The Villager:
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Soho’s BID battle rages on at Council committee hearing
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A BIG Thank You to all who attended and made their voices heard. And equal appreciation to those who sent in letters & testimony, all of which clarify the numerous problems with this Broadway SoHo BID plan.
We continue to DO WHAT’s NEEDED to assure that retail interests are not allowed to overtake the wider interests of our neighborhood, including:
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Equitable Representation for ALL
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Proper Oversight
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Clarity & Transparency
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Maintaining Shared Public Space
- NO Give-Aways through the Sale of “User Rights” on Broadway
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The PUBLIC INTEREST must be considered.
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We ask you to JOIN US:
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Assure that SoHo is PROPERLY SERVED by the NY City Council.
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Advocating for a BETTER Plan on Broadway in SoHo
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Come to the City Council Hearing on Tuesday November 20 at 10 AM …
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Oversight: Examining the issues concerning the SoHo BID
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We’ll present alternatives to the inadequate BID plan – including:
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A more democratic process, inclusive of ALL stakeholders along Broadway
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A refined mission to better maintain shared public space
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Proper accountability and civic responsibility
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Allowances for community input & review
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No unnecessary taxation
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The City Council has the authority & responsibility to shape a plan that’s truly …
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In the BEST INTEREST of the PUBLIC
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Come to City Hall and let YOUR VOICE BE HEARD
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Enter to the south of City Hall, along Broadway at Murray Street or on Park Row opposite the Brooklyn Bridge
Council Chambers, second floor of City Hall
(ID required for entry)
Oversight Hearing on the SoHo BID Plan
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An initial Public Hearing on the
SoHo BID plan has been scheduled …
> Tuesday November 20 at 10AM
Council Chambers City Hall
Come and Make Your Voice Heard
We’ve been working hard over the past year, to better understand the complex set of issues that are overwhelming our neighborhood along Broadway. We will be presenting a comprehensive response to the problematic Broadway SoHo BID plan now under consideration.
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Get The SCOOP from The Villager, where you’ll find this info:
… it’s technically an “oversight” hearing, according to Kelly Magee, communications director for Councilmember Margaret Chin. “There will not be a vote at the hearing,” Magee explained. “Depending on the hearing, a date will be set for a legislative hearing, which will start the 30-day clock for people to log their opposition. From there, there would need to be a vote in the full Council, if we get that far.”
At the hearing we’ll present viable ALTERNATIVES to the current proposal, ideas that are more inclusive of everyone in our mixed-use neighborhood.
We’ll outline SOLUTIONS that are more realistic and fair than those that have been put forth in the retail-focused plan submitted by the BID proponents.
Come to City Hall on November 20
Show your support for a better plan in SoHo!
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What We’ve Accomplished in SoHo
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The BS SoHo BID Plan is not the answer for SoHo.
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We don’t need the BID TAX !!
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There’s a better alternative …
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Thanks to all our neighbors, friends and others who, over the past year, have supported our efforts to find a better way to improve our neighborhood.
Here’s just some of what we’ve accomplished by acting together:
1. Uncovered any number of problems inherent in the proposed SoHo BID plan.
2. Created strong connections with a number of elected officials and political organizations, and obtained their support for our cause.
3. Discovered the underlying conflict between ACE and the overall care of the neighborhood.
4. Worked with Department of Sanitation to address the failure of the City, some local property owners & countless vendors to deal responsibly with trash throughout our neighborhood, a consequence of Broadway becoming a very successful shopping mall.
5. Lobbied for and urged enforcement of vending regulations to bring the sidewalk & street vendor situation under proper control.
6. Exposed the bureaucratic process behind NYC BIDs to be haphazard and without proper oversight.
7. Championed the individual rights of residents, property owners & small businesses in the face of an onslaught from big real estate and retail interests.
How the SoHo BID will Sell Out SoHo
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If you think SoHo sidewalks are CROWDED now …
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Look what the SoHo BID crew
has tucked inside its BS BID Plan for SoHo:
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Selling Public Space for Retail and other Uses
is a key aspect of the BS BID Plan …
The SoHo BID Plan to sell public space on Broadway.
Click HERE to see how the SoHo BID will SELL OUT SoHo
if the NY City Council votes to enact the BS BID.
SAY NO to the SoHo BID!!
Senator Daniel Squadron States OPPOSITION to the SoHo BID
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He knows the SoHo BS BID isn’t the plan that SoHo needs.
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The Senator considered the concerns of his constituents.
He understands that the BS BID will mean increased operating costs
for many local businesses.
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Senator Squadron knows that substantial local support “just isn’t there”
He agrees that the SoHo BS BID Plan is filled with problems, many outlined by
our local Community Board, and he now states:
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“As you are no doubt aware, Manhattan Community Board 2 (CB2)
unanimously opposed the SoHo BID proposal. I join CB2 in its opposition.“
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READ Senator Squadron’s LETTER to the Departments of City Planning and
Small Business Services HERE.
SAY NO to the SoHo BID
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REJECT the BAD BS BID Plan
“Substantial Support” Just Isn’t There
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The problematic SoHo BID proposal is NOT needed.
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An Editorial in the Downtown Express states it clearly:
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“We can’t support the effort to create a BID along Soho’s Broadway corridor.”
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Read the entire Downtown Express Editorial HERE
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This BAD BID PLAN, which would give over local community control to a consortium
of Real Estate interests, should be tossed in the TRASH, where it belongs.
The Downtown Express reminds everyone that Councilmember Margaret Chin has previously stated:
“I will not support a Broadway Soho BID unless I see substantial support
from residents in the proposed BID catchment area”
The Downtown Express Editorial also notes:
“Clearly, that “substantial support” just isn’t there …
a BID without the community’s backing simply won’t fly.“
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Tell Councilmember Chin to keep her promise to her constituents.
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The time has come to take a stand: REJECT the SoHo BID!
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SoHo NO BID 