Obid

What Obid does

Obid operates as the Oakland Business Improvement District (OBID), a Political Subdivision Government Entity and Registered Community Organization created in 1999 under Pennsylvania state statute to manage and enhance the Central Oakland business district of Pittsburgh. The organization provides place management services to approximately 200 property owners and over 250 member businesses and organizations within a defined geographic boundary, with a small core staff led by Executive Director Shawn Fertitta and Director of Operations Kelly McBroom.

OBID's service portfolio is operational rather than technology-based, comprising daily sidewalk sweeping and pressure washing (delivered through contractor Block By Block, which collects over 24,000 pounds of trash annually), seasonal flower baskets and planters, marketing and promotion support to member businesses, business recruitment, and event programming such as Oakland Restaurant Week, Oakland Winter Lights, and Mindful Mile. It also serves a formal review and convening role for major development projects in the district, including a coordinated $3.8 billion pipeline of new real estate projects.

Revenue is generated primarily through a recurring BID Assessment levy on property owners within the district boundary, supplemented by grants and sponsorships from foundations (Richard King Mellon Foundation, Henry L. Hillman Foundation), government partners (City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Urban Redevelopment Authority), and major institutional members. OBID's target constituents are property owners, local businesses, and the major anchor institutions that drive Oakland's economy — University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Carlow University, and UPMC-affiliated hospitals — alongside visitors to cultural attractions such as the Carnegie Museums and Phipps Conservatory.

Name

Obid

Legal name

Oakland Business Improvement District

Website

https://oaklandpittsburgh.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Obid (Oakland Business Improvement District) is a Pittsburgh-based, state-chartered non-profit that delivers place management, cleaning, events, and marketing services to approximately 200 property owners and 250 member businesses in the Central Oakland district surrounding the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon, and UPMC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. BID Assessment Revenue: Property owners within the Central Oakland Business Improvement District contribute through a BID Assessment levy, which is the primary funding mechanism for the organization. The assessment generates revenue to enhance the Central Oakland business district.
2. Grants and Sponsorships: OBID raises additional funding through partnerships with foundations, government agencies, and sponsors to support district programs, events, and initiatives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

OBID is a Business Improvement District organization that provides place-management and economic-development services for Pittsburgh's Central Oakland neighborhood. Its offerings include daily sidewalk sweeping and seasonal pressure washing, beautification programs (flower baskets and planters), business recruitment, marketing support for member businesses, and Registered Community Organization coordination of real-estate development projects within the district.

Product overview

Obid (Oakland Business Improvement District) is a business improvement district organization that provides place management, community development, and economic vitality services for the Oakland neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA. It is not a technology product company. The organization offers business district management programs, community events, member services, and development coordination, rather than technology products or software services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Place Management and District Cleaning Services Daily sidewalk sweeping, seasonal pressure washing, and litter collection delivered through the Block By Block contractor for properties and businesses within the Central Oakland BID boundary. The crew collects more than 24,000 pounds of trash annually and runs Pittsburgh's second-largest sidewalk cleaning program.
• Beautification and Streetscape Programs Installation and maintenance of seasonal flower baskets, planters, and other beautification elements across the Central Oakland commercial district to improve appearance and perception of safety.
• Oakland Restaurant Week Annual district-wide restaurant promotion event that drives foot traffic and visibility to member food-and-beverage businesses in Central Oakland.
• Oakland Winter Lights Seasonal holiday lighting event coordinated by OBID across the Central Oakland commercial district to attract visitors and support member businesses.
• Oakland's Mindful Mile Wellness-themed community event/program in the Oakland district bringing together visitors and local businesses.
• Registered Community Organization (RCO) Development Coordination Formal coordination of real-estate development projects within the Oakland district, including RCO meetings with developers and stakeholders to review projects through the City of Pittsburgh Department of City Planning process.
• Business Recruitment and Member Marketing Support Business recruitment services for the district and marketing support to member businesses, including promotion through website, newsletter, and social channels.

Quantifiable outcome

• Collects over 24,000 pounds of trash annually through Block By Block cleaning crew
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• City of PittsburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing funding through Urban Redevelopment Authority and supporting OBID's place management initiatives. City Council and various departments collaborate on development projects and planning.
• Allegheny CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government partner providing funding support and collaborating on regional economic development initiatives in Oakland.
• UPMCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor anchor institution and healthcare system that is a key stakeholder in Oakland, providing financial support and partnership on initiatives like Argyle Studio.
• University of PittsburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor anchor institution and research university, key stakeholder in Oakland innovation district with campus master plan development.
• Carnegie Mellon UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate research university and anchor institution in Oakland with institutional master plan guiding campus development.
• Carlow UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate Catholic university and anchor institution in Oakland's education ecosystem.
• Pittsburgh Innovation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative driving innovation economy growth in Oakland, partnering with OBID on development and business support.
• Oakland Planning and Development CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOPDC supports Oakland Community Land Trust and community development initiatives in the district.
• Oakland Real Estate CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages portfolio of retail, restaurant, technology, and residential properties in Oakland, expanding technology campus with co-working space.
• Pittsburgh Parks ConservancymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners on Schenley Plaza operations and public space enhancements in Oakland.
• AvenucoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides flexible workspace at RevvOakland location where OBID is headquartered. Supports workspace and business district services.
• Block By BlockcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNationally recognized contractor providing daily cleaning and maintenance services for the district, collecting over 24,000 pounds of trash annually.
• ULEADxmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPittsburgh-based leadership development firm that operates Argyle Studio, a retail incubator for local artists and makers in Oakland.
• InnovatePGHmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation initiative partnering with OBID and city/county stakeholders on diversifying Oakland's main street and small business opportunities.
• Walnut CapitalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate developer behind Oakland Crossings mixed-use development and Innovation Research Tower projects.
• Wexford Science + TechnologymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate firm developing 3440 Forbes Avenue project, specializing in research-oriented development partnering with universities.
• Port Authority of Allegheny CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic transportation authority providing transit connections to Oakland district.
• Carnegie Library of PittsburghminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural institution and community partner located in Oakland district.
• Carnegie Museums of PittsburghminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner in Oakland offering art and natural history museums.
• Phipps Conservatory and Botanical GardensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner and visitor destination in Oakland district.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Times Square Alliance: Iconic New York City business improvement district providing cleaning, public safety, marketing, and event programming in Times Square. Comparable to OBID as a charter-based BID with assessment funding and event-driven GTM, though at a substantially larger scale.
• Magnificent Mile Association: Chicago business improvement district managing Michigan Avenue. Directly comparable to OBID in BID structure, member assessments, and district marketing focus, but operates in a far larger urban commercial corridor.

Others

• Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: Non-profit cultural district management organization in downtown Pittsburgh. Comparable to OBID in nonprofit district-management model and event-driven placemaking, though focused on arts/cultural district rather than mixed-use institutional district.
• Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh: Government authority providing funding, financing, and development coordination for Pittsburgh's neighborhoods. Comparable to OBID as a partner in district development and economic programs, though broader in scope and statutory mandate.

Direct peers

• Center City District (Philadelphia): Central Philadelphia's business improvement district providing cleaning, public safety, hospitality, and economic development services. Closely comparable to OBID in scope, governance, and assessment-funded service delivery model.
• Brickell Business Improvement District: Miami's urban business improvement district providing cleaning, safety, marketing, and event programming. Comparable to OBID as a charter-based BID with assessment funding in a mixed-use institutional/retail district.
• Golden Triangle BID: Business improvement district for downtown Pittsburgh's Golden Triangle. Comparable to OBID as a Pittsburgh BID providing place management, cleaning, and development coordination services in the same metropolitan area.
• Lawrenceville Corporation: Pittsburgh neighborhood-based community development corporation providing place management, marketing, and economic development services. Operates a similar BID-style model in an adjacent Pittsburgh neighborhood with comparable member-driven funding.
• Downtown Pittsburgh Partnership: Business improvement district and place management organization serving downtown Pittsburgh. Directly comparable to OBID as a BID providing cleaning, marketing, and development coordination services to member property owners in the same metropolitan market.
• SouthSide Works / South Side Flats BID: Business improvement district serving the South Side Flats corridor of Pittsburgh. Comparable to OBID in mandate (cleaning, marketing, business recruitment) and funding mechanism (BID assessment) within the same city.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Only_in_Oakland
• Facebookfacebook.com/Oakland412
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oakland-business-improvement-district
• Instagraminstagram.com/oakland_412

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Obid