ROCHESTER, NY On July 26, 2023, a powerful demonstration of community solidarity took place at the Liberty Pole in Downtown Rochester. Over 50 concerned citizens gathered not only to share a meal but also to raise their voices against a proposed “Business Improvement District” (BID) by the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation (RDDC) and the newly…

Recorded live February 18,2023, this panel conversation features experts and advocates from communities negatively affected by Business Improvement Districts.

The following information was sent to Rochester City Councilmembers Sunday, August 14, 12:20pm There has been a lot of communication over the last several weeks re: #255 and a growing call from your constituents to pause RDDC’s push to start planning a Business Improvement District. Your constituents have compiled the following:  • Community letter/petition calling for…

Even after the cameras were pulled from the public forum that was advertised as being streamed online and a constituent was denied ADA access to an ASL interpreter and constituents pleaded to reschedule the meeting Councilmember Michael Patterson, chair of the Neighborhood and Business Development Committee and representative of pushed through and held the event…

The arts community has been sounding the alarm since May of 2022 about The Rochester Downtown “Partnership” and their plans to create a BID to fund the RDDC with taxpayer money. Over 800 signatures and a petition letter that was cosigned by 50 artists from 3 generations were delivered to City Council on August 16,…