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A Special Improvement District (SID) is a public/private partnership in which property and business owners elect to make a collective contribution to the maintenance, development, and promotion of their commercial district. The idea for the SID is modeled on the shared maintenance program of many suburban shopping centers. Tenants of a mall pay a common area maintenance fee to underwrite services that enhance the appearance of the common areas and provide cooperative advertising for the mall and its stores. A SID works in much the same way. However, because a SID has multiple property owners (not one as in a mall) they agree to the extra fee (assessment). Thus, stakeholders in a commercial district can align themselves in much the same way to improve their area as does a mall operation.r to this item.

A SID is one of the most qualified mechanisms to encourage local property and business owners to improve the district, make it possible for members of the general population and business community to support the revitalization of the district and promote the commercial vitality and attractiveness of the area. It is self-determination: Taking your destiny into your hands. 

The creation of a Special Improvement District will promote economic growth, implement, foster and encourage commercial development, business expansion and improve the overall business climate; and otherwise act in the best interest of the property owners in the District in cooperation with the City. 

Finally, a SID operates under state statute and municipal ordinance, via the creation of a District Management Corporation (DMC). The "CBDMC " will provide the administrative, programming and other managerial services to benefit the property owners, businesses, employees, residents and consumers in the Special Improvement District: It is the operating arm of the SID. The DMC may also assist / partner with the City in promoting economic growth, revitalization, public good, employment and development.

• A cleaner, safer and more attractive business district 
• A steady and reliable funding source for supplemental services & programs.
• The ability to respond quickly to changing needs of the business community  Potential to increase property values and decrease commercial vacancy rates 
• A district that is better able to compete with nearby retail and business centers

A Special Improvement District delivers a range of supplemental service in coordination with municipal services and invests in the long term economic development of their district. These supplemental services and improvements may include the following: 

• Maintenance - street/sidewalk cleaning, graffiti removal 
• Public Safety/Hospitality- Public safety officers, visitor assistance
•  Business Development – Commercial vacancy reduction, business mix improvement 
• Marketing – Special events, public relations, promotional materials, holiday decorations 
• Capital Improvements – Improved streetlights, custom trash receptacles, directional
• Street signage, custom news boxes, flower boxes
• Landscaping – Planting trees/flowers, tree pit maintenance Community
• Service – Fundraising, charitable events, homeless and youth services

Funds to pay for SID programs and services are generated from a special assessment paid by the benefited property owners. (Note: Many leases have a clause that allows property owners to pass the SID assessment on to their tenants.) The assessment is billed and collected by the Municipal government and then disbursed to the SID, which in turn delivers the District services. A SID assessment is a fee that each property owner pays to support the operations of the SID. The sum of all the individual assessments that property owners pay comprise the total yearly assessment of the SID, and underwrite most, if not all, annual operating expenses. The total yearly assessment is unique to each SID. The amount paid by each property owner is determined by a formula that each SID creates for its district during the formation process. Formulas are based upon property size and or value. Different properties may pay different assessments depending upon their type of zoning classification. For instance, commercial, business and retail properties are all assessed at 100 % of the assessment rate established. Not-for-profit owned and occupied properties generally do not pay an assessment, but may be charged a fee. City, State and or Federal Properties do not pay an assessment. Each district decides on their own how they will assess their unique different property classifications. A business that operates out of a residential property is usually assessed at a lower percentage of the full assessment, but is assessed nonetheless.

NJ SID Law

Each SID is governed by a Board of Trustees that is elected by the members of the district or in accordance with the by-laws. The Board has a fiduciary responsibility to the SID and hires the management that administers the SID on a day-to-day basis. The Board is divided into classes that include commercial property owners, business owners, retail tenants, public officials and sometimes residents. The Board should be representative of the district, but the majority of Trustees must be property owners.