Business Improvement District Information

The Downtown Winston-Salem Business Improvement District (BID) is a defined area within the downtown area whereby the city may raise money to pay for enhanced services or projects from those property owners that most directly benefit from the services or projects.

Scope of Services

The scope of services for the Downtown Winston-Salem Business Improvement District focuses on five primary areas:

Accelerated development
Cleaner environment
Enhanced physical appearance
Increased safety and security
Stronger marketing and promotion

The above services are performed by the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership. The Downtown Winston-Salem Business Improvement District Advisory Committee, an eleven-member committee made up of various stakeholders within the district, provides oversight of the implementation of these services.

Tax Rate

The current tax rate for the Downtown Winston-Salem Business Improvement District is $.09 per $100 of valuation. This rate is assessed on real and personal property, including registered motor vehicles, within the boundaries of the district.

Background & Creation of the Downtown Winston-Salem Business Improvement District

On July 8, 2013, the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership (DWSP) presented a proposal for the creation of a downtown business improvement district to the City Council's Finance Committee. On July 17 and 18, the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership held public meetings at a/perture Cinema on Fourth Street to present information on the proposed district as well as answer questions from those in attendance.

As required by North Carolina General Statute 160A-537(b), city staff prepared a report on the proposed district. This report provided a map of the proposed district and its boundaries, a statement of need for enhanced services in the proposed district, and a plan for providing these services.

Resolution

On August 19, the Mayor and City Council adopted a resolution setting a public hearing as required under General Statute 160A-537(c). The Mayor and City Council held the public hearing on the proposed district on October 7.

On November 25, 2013, the Mayor and City Council approved the creation of the Downtown Winston-Salem Business Improvement District. The Mayor and City Council found that the adopted municipal service district was in need of improvements, services, functions, promotions, and developmental activities, to a demonstrably greater extent than the remainder of the city, to further the public health, safety, welfare, convenience, and economic well-being of the downtown area.

Downtown Winston-Salem Business Improvement District Advisory Committee

For oversight of the implementation of services within this district, the Downtown Winston-Salem Business Improvement District Advisory Committee was created, an eleven-member committee made up of various stakeholders within the district.