In neighborhoods that struggle economically, supporting community cohesion is key to the formation of Business Improvement Districts

Businesse Improvement Districts or BIDs have become an important part of most downtown areas in US cities, having beneficial impacts on crime rates and property values. But, if BIDs are so beneficial, then why do some not emerge in certain neighborhoods? In a new study on BID formation in Los Angeles, Wonhyung Lee finds that poorer communities and those with a larger foreign born population are more likely to struggle to form BIDs. She writes that public officials and community workers may need to assess the level of collective vision and action before trying to form BIDs in these neighborhoods.