A look at this institution that drives Yonkers businesses
Yonkers
Yonkers Downtown/Waterfront BID (YDWBID) is celebrating 20 years of partnerships, encouraging investment and supporting initiatives for a healthier business and residential district in downtown Yonkers. Since YDWBID’s inception, its mission has been to formulate, promote, and implement the economic revitalization and general well-being of the borough and the city of Yonkers.
“I am proud to have witnessed the growth of the Yonkers Downtown/Waterfront BID in recent years,” said Sara Brody, executive director of the Yonkers Downtown/Waterfront BID. “Now, with more than 250 businesses and more than a dozen unique annual events taking place throughout the year, we are thrilled to continue providing the necessary tools for economic growth and vitality in the downtown area.”
For the past two decades, the IDB Ranger Street Cleanup Program has helped keep downtown Yonkers beautiful. This program is funded and administered by the YDWBID and includes services such as trash pickup, power washing, landscaping, cleanup, and graffiti removal. Every year, IDB rangers remove about 36,000 pounds of trash in the downtown area.
Throughout the year, YDWBID organizes and collaborates on a variety of annual events to create a sense of community, increase visitor numbers and promote local businesses. Signature events include Westchester’s largest one-day festival: Yonkers Riverfest, Yonkers Downtown Restaurant Week, Yonkers Pride, Yonkers Waterfront Live, Halloween Pet Parade and more.
[tabs type=”horizontal”][tabs_head][tab_title]Milestones:[/tab_title][/tabs_head][tab]
- 2002: The institution was created as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation
- 2012: Downtown Yonkers Restaurant Week launched
- 2012: Yonkers River Saw Mill River Daylighting Phase 1 – Van Der Donck Park opens to the public
- 2016: Yonkers River Saw Mill River Daylighting Phase 2 – Mill Street Courtyard opens to the public
- 2018: Yonkers River Saw Mill River Daylighting Phase 3 – Chicken Island opens to the public
- 2022: Yonkers Unveils Moving Sculpture Garden Honoring Juneteenth
Before and now:
- 2002: 250 companies in the IDB
- 2022: 300+ businesses at the IDB
- 2002: 3 events, No Street Festivals
- 2022: 12+ events, including production of Yonkers Pride and Yonkers Riverfest Street Festivals
- 2002: 2 staff members in the office, no rangers employed by the IDB, only reported to the IDB
- 2022: 4 officials and 11 BID Rangers
- 2002: 1 vehicle, 1 crew Graffiti Busters Van & The Green Machine
- 2022: 3 vehicles (Tacoma truck, GEM golf cart, John Deere Cab Crossover), Ventrac snow machine, snow brushes
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[tabs type=”horizontal”][tabs_head][tab_title]Some Services Offered:[/tab_title][/tabs_head][tab]
- Seasonal beautification and landscaping programs of all BID planters downtown, the Getty Square Triangle and other sites.
- Managed the Ranger Street-Cleaning program since 2002
- Funded and managed the ranger street cleanup program since 2010
- Graffiti and poster removal
- Promotion of the specific needs of business/property owners and general needs of the downtown area.
- Reports of lights out, potholes, and streets in need of repair.
- Communication and notification to businesses of events, parades, downtown works, etc.
- Daily/weekly communication with government officials, YPD and other agencies to address the needs of downtown Yonkers.
- Gum removal and pressure washing of sidewalks, shop windows and store awnings.
- Purchase of Centro Quality of Life Cameras.
- Commercial Garbage Service Program 2002-2012
- Purchase/installation of new pet waste bags and containers and trash receptacles
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Posted on December 21, 2022
