4 PHILADELPHIA FREE PRESS • UC REVIEW • NOVEMBER 18, 2015 continued from page 1 BID


to leave here with a better understanding of what a BID is,” Gilbertson said of the meeting’s informational nature. A second meeting will occur on January 20, 2016 to consider whether the BID would be considered for adoption.


Planning for the BID be- gan in the summer of 2014 when the South Ninth Street Italian Market Business As- sociation received a grant from the Philadelphia Com- merce Department. Since then, it formed a steering committee with a “mix of commercial owners, proper- ty owners, business owners, neighborhood civic associa- tion members, representa- tives and liaisons to diff erent chamber of commerce’s,” Gilbertson explained, add- ing, the committee has met 12 times.


“We’ve had the process translated and interpreted in Spanish, Mandarin, Cam- bodian and Vietnamese,” Gilbertson said of the vari- ous business communities impacted by the proposed BID.


“The steering committee planned the current pro- posal during those meetings. In early 2015, there was a means assessment survey that was mailed out to prop- erty owners,” Gilbertson continued. “We received a total of 254 completed surveys and 600 comments concerning feedback.” Gilbertson noted the out-


reach through the Bella Vista Community Association and the Passyunk Square Civic Association in the spring of 2015. The results of the BID proposal are as follows: What is a BID? A Bid is legally defi ned as an area in which prop- erty owners jointly plan,


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fund and manage commer- cial district enhancement services. A BID works to improve the business envi- ronment and the shopper experience. BIDs are fully funded through a special assessment on commercial property owners (includes commercial, industrial, and multi-unit residential apart- ments). Some examples of nearby BIDs include the East Passyunk Ave Business District and the South Street Headhouse District. Why form a BID? By enhancing the shop- ping experience and improv- ing the climate for business and property investment, BIDs rejuvenate and main- tain commercial areas. BIDs work to address the key is- sues facing the commercial areas such as cleanliness, parking, safety concerns and blight.


How will the community pay for the BID?


The BID will operate from a $220,000 a year budget. The South 9th


Association will contribute $24,000 towards it. Who will pay for the


BID? All taxable commercial


property: commercial, in- dustrial, and residential properties with two or more units within the boundaries of the proposed BID. This includes vacant lots zoned for commercial or industrial uses. 9th


Street curb stand


owners will also pay. Who will not pay for the


BID? Single-family residential


properties would not be sub- ject to the BID assessment. Any owner occupied part of a building would not be subject to the BID assess- ment.


How much would prop- erty owners pay? Properties would pay 2% of assessed value annually, with a minimum of $365 a year per property. BID assessments are based on the assessed value of each property.


BID assessment is based on the assessed value of each property as determined by the City of Philadelphia’s Offi ce of Property Assess- ment.


BID assessments for curb stands are passed on a monthly per square foot cost.


Assessed Property Value: $182,500 or less…$365 (mini- mum); $200,000 - pay $400 BID, $250,000 - pay $500, $300,000 -pay $600; $350,000 -pay $750; $400,000 - pay


continued on page 10 Street Business


SEAMAAC celebrated the grand opening of its Community Outreach Offi ce in South Philadelphia


By Haywood Brewster Staff Reporter


A


s part of its long- term strategic plan, SEAMAAC has


envisioned opening “Ser- vice Hubs” to off er direct services in a community center setting, and build strong and trusting relation- ships with communities. SEAMAAC’s new Com- munity Outreach Offi ce in Southeast Philadelphia’s immigrant and refugee neighborhood is a sign of strong organizational commitment to revital- izing this once thriving 8th St. business corridor. SEAMAAC off ers direct social services at this site in Burmese (Karen, Chin, and Shan dialects) and Nepali. Altogether, SEAMAAC staff can communicate in over 20 languages to reach many with limited English profi ciency. Since May, SEAMAAC’s new site also has provided Arts/Crafts, Gardening, and Exercise groups for Southeast Asian elders, as well as English as a Second Language Classes, and community workshops on topics including health literacy, health insurance, civic engagement, domestic violence, women’s health, fi nancial literacy, leadership development, and small business development. Councilman Mark Squilla commented that “SEAMAAC is a trusted and strong advocate for all Philadelphians, and we certainly welcome this commitment to the neigh- borhood. I think the area as a whole will benefi t from SEAMAAC’s programs and services.”


Andy Toy, SEAMAAC’s Development & Commu- nications Director, said, “It’s important to have an organization with decades of experience serving im- migrants and refugees join the eff orts of revitalizing the neighborhood. SEAMAAC’s depth and breadth in pro- grams and services will have an immediate impact on the communities in Southeast Philadelphia.” Additionally, SEAMAAC’s Board Chair, Sue Nieto stated “This is a very excit- ing step for SEAMAAC, to bring services and programs directly into the community. This site increases the ac- cessibility for those families SEAMAAC serves in the neighborhood.”


SEAMAAC’s Community


Outreach Offi ce’s Grand Opening Celebration took place at 2110 S. 8th


Friday November 6, from 4:30 to 7:30pm.


Street on


About SEAMAAC: SEAMAAC (founded in 1984, as the Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance As- sociations Coalition, Inc.) has more than 31 years of experience serving Phila- delphians. The mission of SEAMAAC is “to support immigrants, refugees, and their families as they seek access to opportunities, which would advance the condition of their lives in the United States.” Support for SEAMAAC comes from the Pew Fund For Health & Human Services, the U.S Offi ce of Refugee Settle- ment, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Comcast Foundation, the Valentine Foundation, The McLean Contributionship, and many others.


For more information: 215-467-0690, www.seamac. org.


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