The BID process began back in 1997 when businesses started fighting to establish the district in the heart of the city between Court, Tremont, Devonshire and Kneeland streets. The Boston City Council approved of the BID here two years later but it ran into trouble shortly thereafter among local property owners who objected to the way it would be funded. The Boston Police Union also objected because the private security personnel the BID would hire could cost police jobs.

A BID has to originate from state law because property owners in the district need to be legally compelled to pay for BID services. Massachusetts has a BID law but currently only two cities--Springfield and Hyannis--have established BIDs. A certain number of businesses in the district have to agree to its creation and Massachusetts has an opt-out clause that allows businesses within the BID not to be part of the district if they so choose.

"Businesses have to be made to see that the extra tax they pay will go to fund activities," Andre Porter, deputy director of the Department of Neighborhood Development, tells GlobeSt.com. "Each district has to see what it wants. They could hire a private cleaning crew, or put in more lights or banners. But if you don't have the business support it makes no sense to proceed."