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The Wynwood Business Improvement District (BID) is the largest one of its kind in Florida.

It covers a 50-city-block neighborhood that has experienced an exciting transformation that has taken it from an abandoned industrial zone to a bustling arts and nightlife destination and, more recently, a desirable location for new office and residential development and now a major new hotel from the world-renowned Arlo brand. This spring, the Wynwood BID, which began in 2013, is up for a recertification vote by all property owners within its boundaries.

BIDs function as special tax districts that allow for an additional assessment to support initiatives and programs that governments cannot fully cover. In addition to Wynwood, they have been successful locally in places such as Miami Beach, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables, and other major cities like New York.

In partnership with area businesses, owners, developers and residents, working with the City of Miami, the Wynwood BID has been a significant catalyst in the neighborhood’s growth, improving quality of life, and in ongoing synergies between new investors, and existing businesses and cultural venues.

“We are excited to work with our area property owners to recertify the BID,” said Manny Gonzalez, long-time executive director of the Wynwood Business Improvement District.

“The district has entered a new phase, with the ongoing expansion of residential and office capacity that did not exist previously. The BID is embracing change like urban planning and landscape design while also working to maintain Wynwood’s place as an appealing cultural destination and creative center.”

Today, Wynwood garners 10.3 million visits annually, supports 5,000 jobs and generates more than 20 percent of the City of Miami’s parking transactions. The BID represents more than 400 property owners who continue to believe in the neighborhood’s appeal and the wisdom of investing in infrastructure enhancements, safety initiatives, forward-thinking planning and destination branding that are key to the BID’s work.

In the arts, Wynwood continues to thrive and be the home of the iconic Wynwood Walls, the Museum of Graffiti, the Margulies Collection, Mana Wynwood, and many more. The neighborhood remains a center for unique retail, restaurant and nightlife businesses, including Zak the Baker, 1-800-Lucky, Gramps and UNKNWN. Annual special events such as Miami Art Week, Miami Music Week and Wynwood Pride fill the community with pedestrian traffic and excitement.

Major developments include the recent opening of the Arlo Wynwood hotel and The Dorsey and upcoming projects such as The NoMad Residences and The Wynwood Plaza. Companies committing to office space in Wynwood include Founders Fund, Spotify, Technology SA Blockchain.com and Pricewaterhouse Coopers.

The BID itself runs numerous initiatives for safety and cleanliness, including state-of-the-art interactive outdoor digital kiosks, neighborhood-wide security cameras and a dedicated Clean Street Team.

“Wynwood is a great community to invest in, to visit, and to work and live in, and the BID looks forward to being part of the district’s story for years to come,” Gonzalez concluded.

Source: Community Newspapers