Pitkin Avenue BID

What Pitkin Avenue BID does

The Pitkin Avenue Business Improvement District (legal name: The Pitkin Avenue District Management Association) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit local development corporation founded in 1993 that manages the commercial corridor along Pitkin Avenue between Howard Avenue and Mother Gaston Boulevard, and along Rockaway Avenue between Glenmore and Belmont Avenues, in Brownsville, Brooklyn. It delivers supplemental municipal-style services that the City of New York does not provide to commercial districts, including seven-day sidewalk cleaning, monthly graffiti removal, beautification, facade improvement grants, marketing support, business directory listings, and community programming across roughly 14 blocks of assessed property.

The organization operates a portfolio of distinct programs rather than a single product. These include the Pitkin Avenue Renaissance facade matching-grant program (funded through the New York Main Street program), the Keep Brownsville Clean sanitation initiative, the Pitkin Advantage loyalty card for shoppers, the Storefront for Brownsville pop-up market series (co-founded with the Brownsville Community Justice Center in 2019), Re-Visualize Pitkin storefront design services (piloted 2023), Pitkin BID Promotes digital marketing support (piloted 2023), the Black-Owned Brownsville community initiative, the Organics Compost Initiative with Green City Force, and the Small Business Climate Resilience Enhancements Program and NSBCRP partnership with Resilient Cities Catalyst (launched March 2024). Public art installations such as "Brownsville Is" at Zion Triangle extend the programming into cultural and placemaking work.

Pitkin Avenue BID's revenue model is non-commercial and relies on a special assessment levied on district commercial property and business owners within BID boundaries, supplemented by government grants from NYC Small Business Services (Neighborhood 360, Small BID Grant, New York Main Street), the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts, plus private tax-deductible donations and banner sponsorships. Membership in the BID is free, services are provided at no cost to eligible members, and the organization does not sell technology products. Governance is provided by a board composed of commercial property owners, business owners, and ex-officio municipal representatives from NYC Council, the Mayor's Office, the Comptroller, the Brooklyn Borough President, and Community Board 16.

Name

Pitkin Avenue BID

Legal name

The Pitkin Avenue District Management Association

Website

https://pitkinavenue.nyc

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pitkin Avenue BID is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Business Improvement District in Brownsville, Brooklyn, founded in 1993, that delivers supplemental sanitation, facade grants, marketing support, climate resilience, and community programming to commercial property owners, tenants, and shoppers across a 14-block corridor.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Special Assessment: The BID is primarily funded through a special assessment paid by district business and property owners within the BID boundaries.
2. Private Donations: Relies on private contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations to develop and support programs. All donations are tax-deductible as the organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
3. Banner Sponsorship: Sponsors can have their business name and logo placed on street pole banners featuring student artwork. Sponsorship fees support the BID's beautification programs.
4. Government Grants: Funding from NYC Small Business Services including Neighborhood 360 Program, Small BID Grant, and New York Main Street grant program for facade improvements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Pitkin Avenue BID is a nonprofit Business Improvement District that provides commercial corridor management services for businesses and property owners along Pitkin Avenue and Rockaway Avenue in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Its core offerings include supplemental sidewalk cleaning, facade improvement grants, business support and marketing assistance, pop-up market programs, climate resilience programs, and community events. Services are delivered free of charge to eligible members within the BID boundaries.

Product overview

The Pitkin Avenue BID offers a portfolio of community development and business support programs rather than a traditional product. Core offerings include the Pitkin Advantage loyalty card program, the Storefront for Brownsville pop-up market initiative, the Re-Visualize Pitkin design services program, and the Pitkin Avenue Renaissance facade improvement grant program. Supporting programs include the Black-Owned Brownsville community initiative, Organics Compost sustainability program, and the Small Business Climate Resilience Enhancements Program. The organization also provides Keep Brownsville Clean sanitation services, Pitkin BID Promotes marketing support, and maintains a business directory. These programs work together to support local businesses, beautify the commercial corridors, and strengthen the Brownsville community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Storefront for Brownsville: A series of pop-up markets providing emerging local entrepreneurs affordable vending opportunities to test their business ideas and grow their customer base.
• Neighborhood Small Business Climate Resilience Program (NSBCRP)
• Pitkin BID Promotes
• Small Business Climate Resilience Enhancements Program
• Pitkin Avenue Renaissance Program

Products and services

• Pitkin Advantage Card Free loyalty card program for Pitkin Avenue shoppers and Ocean Hill-Brownsville residents that provides unique deals and discounts at participating retailers on Pitkin and Rockaway Avenue, with deals updated monthly.
• Storefront for Brownsville A series of pop-up markets providing emerging local entrepreneurs affordable vending opportunities to test their business ideas, grow their customer base, and fill existing retail gaps along the Pitkin Avenue and Belmont Avenue commercial corridors.
• Re-Visualize Pitkin A pilot program that provides free design services for eligible businesses to make aesthetic improvements to their storefront display windows, working directly with visual merchandising professionals.
• Pitkin Avenue Renaissance Program Matching grants program to help finance improvements to building facades, storefronts, commercial spaces, and residential units within the BID, funded through the New York Main Street grant program.
• Black-Owned Brownsville An initiative supporting Brownsville's Black-owned businesses, including free film screenings, business directories, and promotional events celebrating Black entrepreneurship in the community.
• Organics Compost Initiative In partnership with Green City Force, this initiative helps local businesses lower their commercial waste bills by diverting food scraps from landfills and transforming them into nutrient-rich compost.
• Small Business Climate Resilience Enhancements Program Provides free to low-cost equipment and support to prepare businesses for emergencies, including resilience equipment, enhancements, and major upgrades to strengthen resilience against extreme heat, flooding, and other climate-related disruptions.
• Keep Brownsville Clean Campaign An initiative providing supplemental sidewalk cleaning, monthly graffiti removal, community clean-up events, dog waste stations, and waste management education for the Brownsville commercial corridors.
• Pitkin BID Promotes Application-based marketing support program offering no-cost digital marketing, photography, videography, and social media setup services for Brownsville brick and mortar businesses.
• Neighborhood Small Business Climate Resilience Program (NSBCRP) A collaborative program with Resilient Cities Catalyst (RCC) that strengthens municipal and business partnerships to design and deliver projects increasing resilience to climate change for small businesses.
• Business Directory An interactive business directory and map showcasing businesses along Pitkin Avenue, available to both BID members and the general public.

Quantifiable outcome

• $192 Million in unmet consumer demand identified in market analysis
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Resilient Cities Catalyst (RCC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2024Partnership launched March 2024 for Neighborhood Small Business Climate Resilience Program (NSBCRP). RCC is a nonprofit dedicated to helping cities build resilience against climate challenges. Focuses on flood and heat resilience for Pitkin Avenue businesses.
• Eleven3Seven5minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2020Business event strategist partnered with BID during COVID-19 pandemic to host virtual marketplace in May 2020 with eleven Brownsville-based entrepreneurs.
• Brooklyn Arts CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of the Black-Owned Brownsville initiative, funded in part by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council. Supports cultural programming and community arts initiatives.
• Brownsville Community Justice CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on multiple initiatives including Keep Brownsville Clean Campaign, Storefront for Brownsville pop-up markets, and community events. Founded in 2019 for Storefront for Brownsville.
• NYC Department of Small Business ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides funding through Neighborhood 360 Program, Small BID Grant, and other commercial corridor revitalization programs. Supports facade improvement initiatives and business services.
• Black-Owned BrooklyncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for #BlackOwnedBrownsville initiative to support and promote Black-owned businesses in the Brownsville community. Film screening partnership for Black History Month.
• GinkgominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in the BlackOwned Brownsville initiative supporting Brownsville's Black-Owned Businesses.
• NYC Small Business Resource NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the BlackOwned Brownsville initiative providing resources to support small businesses.
• Green City ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Organics Compost Initiative. Food scraps collected from local businesses including Pitkin Caribbean are transported to composting site at 60 Glenmore managed by Green City Force.
• NYC ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for maintenance and beautification of public spaces including Zion Triangle and Betsy Head Park. NYC Parks has invested over $30M in capital improvements to Betsy Head Park.
• Horticulture Society of New YorkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with BID to maintain plants, flowers, and trees in Zion Triangle plaza.
• NYC Department of TransportationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with BID on open space improvements and public realm enhancements along the commercial corridors.
• NYC Department of SanitationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSNY is responsible for residential garbage and recycling collection. BID's Keep Brownsville Clean Campaign works with DSNY on community clean-up events.
• Urban Design ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Local Center initiative for public space visioning and design. Connected Corridors program supporting BID in reimagining public spaces through installations and activations.
• Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development (ANHD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Local Center initiative with Urban Design Forum. ANHD is part of Connected Corridors program for public space improvements and neighborhood connectivity.
• Studio Cooke John Architecture and DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign partner for lighting installation at Zion Triangle and Brownsville Is public art installation. Produced concept sketches and final design for the community-selected lighting elements.
• Hive Public SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigned the Brownsville Wellness Market event at Zion Triangle, a celebration of health, creativity, and community connection.
• Brownsville Heritage HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for inaugural 2019 Storefront for Brownsville Living Archive Exhibition and gift shop in vacant commercial space.
• GrowNYCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners to operate NYC GROWS Farmstand at Zion Triangle, providing fresh locally-grown produce to the Brownsville community. Saturdays July through November.
• CitiBike / LyftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with East Brooklyn Bike Club for weekly community bike rides using CitiBike stations. Free bikes provided through community program.
• East Brooklyn Bike ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners for weekly community bike rides and open streets programming in Brownsville, promoting health and community connection.
• Central Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation (CBEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner in BlackOwned Brownsville initiative. CBEDC works on economic development and entrepreneurship opportunities in Central Brooklyn.
• Honeybee Arts Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrownsville native Avilda Whittmore provided art facilitation and curation for 2021 Street Pole Banner Art Project with students from local schools.
• Made In BrownsvilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal design firm collaborated on BID's Facade Guidelines and designed reusable shopping tote bags for donation. Local brand supporting Brownsville creative economy.
• StreetLabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for community engagement and Fall 2024 cleanup events. StreetLab provides community activities and programming.
• BMS Family Health CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for Easter Parade and other events. Health center providing services to Brownsville community.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DUMBO BID: DUMBO BID is a Brooklyn-based Business Improvement District providing supplemental services, marketing, and beautification for the DUMBO commercial corridor - same nonprofit organizational structure and geographic proximity to Pitkin Avenue BID.
• Times Square Alliance: The Times Square Alliance is a BID managing one of NYC's premier commercial corridors, providing sanitation, public safety, marketing, and beautification services funded by special assessments on district property owners - directly comparable organizational model to Pitkin Avenue BID.
• Grand Central Partnership: The Grand Central Partnership is one of NYC's largest BIDs providing supplemental sanitation, security, business support, and streetscape enhancements across Midtown commercial corridors - same assessment-funded BID structure.
• 34th Street Partnership: 34th Street Partnership manages the Herald Square / 34th Street corridor with supplemental services and business support programs funded by district property assessments, matching Pitkin Avenue BID's structural model and service mix.
• Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership: The Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership is an NYC BID providing supplemental sanitation, public space improvements, marketing programs, and small business support services funded by member assessments - directly analogous service mix and operating model.
• Downtown Brooklyn Partnership: The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership is a local development corporation and BID managing commercial revitalization, business attraction, and public space programming in Downtown Brooklyn - directly comparable Brooklyn-based peer with overlapping organizational mandate.
• Bryant Park Corporation: Bryant Park Corporation manages Bryant Park and surrounding commercial district via assessment-funded programming including sanitation, events, and public space activation - same nonprofit BID operating model as Pitkin Avenue BID.
• Hudson Yards Experience (formerly Hudson Yards BID): The Hudson Yards Experience manages the Hudson Yards commercial district as a BID with assessment-funded programming including sanitation, events, and business support services - directly comparable structural and operational model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/pitkinavenue
• Instagraminstagram.com/pitkinavenue.nyc
• Xx.com/pitkinavenue

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pitkin Avenue BID