No BID Roc

See you Thursday!!

Solidarity with folks in Asheville,NY as they fight a BID in their community. Great post today from Firestorm Books on Instagram-

So many similarities!

In 2012, our co-operative was part of a broad coalition of businesses, grassroots organizations, and neighbors who fought, and derailed, an effort to privatize downtown. Now a nearly identical Business Improvement District (BID) proposal is rapidly working its way through City Council, with the possibility of approval as early as May 14th. If successful, it would set the stage for the radical transformation of not only downtown, but West Asheville and the River Arts District. Given the similarity to the BID fight twelve years ago, we've decided to update and republish our open letter from May 2012 opposing the scheme. We've also made this series of slides to highlight the BIDs connection to historic efforts by Asheville's wealthiest property owners to consolidate power over our urban space. The names and slogans change, but the agenda is the same—from "urban renewal" to "clean and safe," it envisions downtown as a sterile playground for the rich rather than a thriving space of encounter and democratic possibility for all. Check out our story highlights for more information on the BID fight and find our full statement opposing the plan at https://firestorm.coop/news/still-not-a-mall.html (link in bio). #BusinessImprovementDistrict #Gentrification #AshevillePolitics #FeministBookstore #FirestormBooks (- L)

Check out the latest copy of the Wedge Newspaper - It’s so important to make sure these concerns are documented in print and online- too often the narrative is dominated by the same old talking points about BIDs from a developer’s/big owner’s perspective. Communities are torn apart by the gentrification that BIDs speed up.

What are you doing Friday at 5:30? Going to the Metro Justice Rally for Public Power of course! Wear red, bring a friend and skip the astroturfing happening in the park next door. (Do they really think that the community can’t see through their astroturfing? Who holds a last min family event on a Friday at 5:30?) 👀

Look what y’all did! (Spread the news!!)

Our struggles are connected. The people of Rochester deserve a city government that works for our community. Learn more about the community action plan and how you can help amplify: www.nobidroc.com/cap

We had one heck of a press conference on Thursday before an unprecedented showing with 150 people who showed up to speak to council.

More soon…

Rochester residents ‘Speak to Council,’ address community action plans ROCHESTER N.Y. (WROC) — About 150 people signed up to urge city council to say no to war, potential increases in property taxes and a downtown improvement plan, plus they want leaders to say yes to…

Sign up by 4 tonight- come to the rally at 5 on the steps. You don’t want to miss this. Sign up info at nobidroc.com/speak

It’s that time again!! Here’s what’s on deck for March so far- Join us at speak to council (send us a DM to let us know you’re going!) and if you haven’t called council, or aren’t sure how, that’s ok! We’ll walk you through it- join us for a phone zap, this month’s zap is co-sponsored by RAHA the Rochester Alliance for Housing Accountability. You’ll get to hear from RAHA members why they are concerned about the potential impacts of a BID on affordable housing and our homeless neighbors. Sign up for the zap at nobidroc.com/events

Despite pressure from RDDC and big developers, these businesses are standing up and asking City Council to stop RDDC’s BID.

Next time you are Downtown support one of these small businesses and tell them you appreciate them standing up and sharing their position on the BID!