In a release, Laura Walker, chair of the newly created BID, says, "We hope to reinvent the role that BIDs play by extending beyond traditional services to focus on sustainability initiatives. Our top priorities are to alleviate the Holland Tunnel traffic that so often chokes this otherwise peaceful neighborhood, improve the physical environment and attract a diversified range of street level retail outlets to better serve this thriving community."

Walker notes in the release that Hudson Square is "already swiftly becoming a hub for next generation media and information companies and the evolving creative class. As the neighborhood continues along that dynamic path, it is essential that the physical environment reflect that character with innovative approaches to sustainability."

CEO of WNYC, Walker adds that the BID's steering committee has identified many areas that businesses and residents have agreed would be "top priorities for the BID. We will work with the city, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, community groups and elected officials to make sure these issues are addressed." Members of the steering committee include representatives from Extell Development, Jack Resnick & Sons, Edison Properties, and Tishman Speyer.

Carl Weisbrod, president of Trinity Real Estate, who has reportedly advocated a Hudson Square BID in recent years, is also on the committee. Trinity's real estate holdings in the area include 345 Hudson St., where MTV Networks leased 400,000 square feet in May 2007.

Comprised roughly of the area from Canal Street north to Houston Street and from Greenwich Street east to Varick Street, the new BID will start off with an annual operating budget of $2.5 million when services begin this July. It's the 19th new BID established under the Bloomberg administration.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Once you are an ALM Digital Member, you’ll receive:

  • Breaking commercial real estate news and analysis, on-site and via our newsletters and custom alerts
  • Educational webcasts, white papers, and ebooks from industry thought leaders
  • Critical coverage of the property casualty insurance and financial advisory markets on our other ALM sites, PropertyCasualty360 and ThinkAdvisor
NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Paul Bubny

Paul Bubny is managing editor of Real Estate Forum and GlobeSt.com. He has been reporting on business since 1988 and on commercial real estate since 2007. He is based at ALM Real Estate Media Group's offices in New York City.