Photo by Caio César Gutierres
About
Our Mission
The Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization representing the owners of more than 100 properties within approximately 78 acres of Downtown Worcester, Massachusetts. The result of a comprehensive and ongoing community effort, the BID seeks to establish a vibrant, welcoming, and economically and culturally viable Downtown Worcester for all stakeholders. Through collaboration with local businesses and organizations, the BID actively promotes Downtown Worcester and all it has to offer, creating new experiences and fostering an exciting place for people to live, work, and visit.
Watch the video below to see some of the highlights from the BID’s work and accomplishments during our first years of operation! You can also read more about our latest efforts in our 2023 Annual Report.
Our Boundaries
A Business Improvement District is a legally established, contiguous geographic area within which property owners initiate, manage, and finance supplemental services for the benefit of everyone who lives, works, or visits the District. Established in 2018, the Downtown Worcester BID is located in the heart of Downtown Worcester. The BID is bounded by Main Street, Myrtle Street, Francis J. McGrath Boulevard, and Foster Street.
The above map shows the geographical Downtown Worcester BID area. If you are not sure if your business is located within the BID boundaries, please contact us.
Our Initiatives
Cultural Placemaking
& Beautification
In partnership with city officials, cultural organizations, horticulturists, and local artists, the Downtown Worcester BID uses a multifaceted approach to create a more vibrant Downtown. Placemaking efforts provide dynamic programming, while promoting local collaboration and spotlighting development opportunities in the Downtown area.
Cleaning, Safety & Hospitality
The Downtown Worcester BID serves the community by creating a safe, clean, and welcoming destination that is attractive to businesses, employees, residents, and visitors alike. The BID Ambassadors are a highly visible and friendly presence in Downtown Worcester, supporting the various needs of the community, while also making the streetscapes, storefronts, and pedestrian alleyways clean and safe for all.
Marketing & Public Relations
Downtown Worcester has experienced a significant revitalization within the past twenty years. With this renewed sense of excitement, the Downtown Worcester BID wants to encourage those within Worcester as well as those visiting from outside the city to experience all the great things Downtown has to offer. The BID works to promote the Downtown, increase pedestrian traffic, bolster retail sales, promote opportunity, and enhance perceptions of Downtown.
Advocacy & Policy
The Downtown Worcester BID represents the entire Downtown community, from the small business owner to the larger corporate entity, from the residents of the Downtown to our community leaders. We all work together to create the neighborhood we love and live in to continually grow and succeed. The BID’s mission is to advocate for District stakeholders and provide administrative management to support development goals of Downtown Worcester.
Our Programs
Ambassador Program
The Downtown Worcester BID’s Ambassador Program is the cornerstone of our operations. Providing a wide range of supplemental services to the Downtown community, the Ambassadors ensure that the District is clean, safe, and inviting for all. The services our Ambassadors provide include:
The Ambassadors’ work not only improves the appearance and walkability of the Downtown neighborhood, but also helps small businesses, working professionals, and visitors alike. Whether cleaning the sidewalks or giving directions to visitors, the Ambassadors provide a valuable and friendly first impression of Downtown Worcester. To request supplemental services within the Downtown Worcester BID boundary area, please call the Ambassador Service Request Line at 508-736-1154.
Area Amplification
Amplifying all the wonderful things Downtown Worcester has to offer is just another way the Downtown Worcester BID serves the community. Through its social media presence, the BID attracts visitors to Downtown while communicating with the greater community on new and exciting events in the neighborhood. The website, blogs, and monthly newsletter keep the larger community up to date on the latest developments while promoting local innovation and entrepreneurship. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Photo by Joe Santa Maria
Event Support
Whether you’re planning the next big event or a simple neighborhood soirée, the BID is here to help! The BID is pleased to offer access to the Downtown Worcester Event Kit, which includes amenities such as a pop-up tents, stanchions, portable coolers, attendance counters, and more — all of which are free to use if your event is taking place within our district. To learn more about having the Ambassadors at an event or using any of the available items in our kit, please check out our Downtown Worcester BID Event Kit Guide and fill out our required request form.
Flower Program
The Downtown Worcester BID installs and maintains hanging flower baskets along the main thoroughfares of the District and sidewalk planters throughout our neighborhood. Bringing vibrancy and beautification to Downtown, the BID’s flower program promises to bring a bit of sunshine to each day.
Snow Operations
The BID’s Ambassador team is equipped to clear snow and ice from public curb-cuts and crosswalks. After clearing public spaces, the Ambassadors will assist property and business owners in snow/ice clearing from storefronts within the District. The BID also has contracted with a private vendor to help remove snow piles from along the curbline and on-street public parking spaces.
Storefront Activation
The Downtown Worcester BID’s goal with the storefront activation program is to enliven Downtown through eye-catching storefront art and window displays. These displays focus on spaces that are not providing existing street-level activity and/or are waiting to be leased. While storefront spaces remain underutilized, the BID aims to work with property owners while simultaneously supporting local artists with an opportunity to display their works.
Winter Lighting Program
The Downtown Worcester BID partners with local property owners and artists to curate visual experiences around the holidays. Each year, the BID identifies different needs within the District and partners with local organizations and artists to bring new pieces to engage the local community and bring more people to Downtown Worcester.
Jobs/Volunteer
Are you interested in making a difference in your community? Would you like to help make Downtown Worcester a prosperous and attractive area for all? If you’re interested in working or volunteering with the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District, check out our available opportunities below and email us at info@downtownworcester.org to learn more.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) is currently seeking a new Executive Director to lead the BID into the next, exciting phase. The BID has engaged Community Paradigm Associates to guide this comprehensive search. More information about the search process and Executive Director position can be found at: tinyurl.com/DWBIDExecutiveDirectorSearch.
Those interested are encouraged to apply by Monday, October 28, 2024, at 3pm ET.
For questions, please email Julie Jacobson, Senior Associate at Community Paradigm Associates, at: JJacobson@communityparadigm.com.
ASSISTANT COORDINATOR: 2025 OUT TO LUNCH FESTIVAL & FARMERS MARKET
The Downtown Worcester BID is expanding Worcester’s annual Out to Lunch Festival and Farmers Market in Summer 2025. Last year, in partnership with the City of Worcester, we celebrated a successful six-week run of this weekly event from mid-July to mid-August. In 2025, thanks to an Urban Agenda Grant the BID was awarded from the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Economic Development, Out to Lunch will run for ten weeks from June through August, and include more vendors, a larger farmers market, enhanced programming, and more.
To support this festival expansion, we’re looking for a part-time Assistant Coordinator to work alongside our team for the duration of this festival season from January 2025 through August 2025. The Assistant Coordinator will help plan festival logistics and oversee the successful execution of the 2025 Out to Lunch series.
RESPONSIBILITES:
-Assist with vendor outreach and correspondence
-Facilitate the distribution of applications for farmers, food trucks/booths, artisans/crafters, and non-profit organizations.
-Review applications and assist with select vendors alongside Program Coordinator
-Assist in distribution and collection of vendor invoices
-Prepare and distribute materials for vendors (scheduling, run-of-show, logistic information)
-Assist with day-of operations for each Thursday event
-Assist with post-event vendor survey distribution and collection
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
–Strong Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines, ensuring all event logistics are well-coordinated
-Excellent Communication Skills: Proven ability to effectively communicate with vendors, staff, and event participants in a professional and friendly manner
-Attention to Detail: Ability to manage and review vendor applications, materials, and invoices with accuracy
-Experience in Event Coordination: Familiarity with event planning, vendor management, and day-of event operations
-Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite: Comfortable using Word, Excel, and other office software to prepare documents and manage data
-Ability to Work Independently and as Part of a Team: Collaborative, with the initiative to handle tasks on your own when necessary
-Availability: Must be available for the full duration of the festival from June to August, including event days on Thursdays and preparation in the weeks leading up to the events
-Physical Stamina: Ability to assist with set-up and tear-down of event materials on event days
PREFERRED QUALIFICIATIONS:
–Experience with Farmers Markets or Festivals: Previous involvement in event planning or operations for outdoor festivals or farmers markets
-Knowledge of Downtown Worcester: Familiarity with the downtown area and local businesses to assist in outreach and vendor coordination
–Customer Service Experience: Prior experience in a role that requires interacting with vendors or the public in a service-oriented capacity
-Familiarity with Google Suite or Event Management Software: Experience using Google Drive, Sheets, and other cloud-based tools for scheduling and collaboration
-Creative Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to handle unexpected challenges during events with a positive and resourceful approach
DURATION: This is a part-time, temporary position, working 10 hours a week from January 2025 through August 2025
COMPENSATION: $20/hour
HOW TO APPLY: Please email your resume and a short cover letter telling us why you’re the right person for the job to: alex@downtownworcester.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through Friday, December 13, 2024.
AMBASSADOR PROGRAM STAFF
The Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District contracts with Streetplus to manage our Ambassador Program. Streetplus hires throughout the year and posts all open positions on Indeed.com.
Contact Us
Staff/Board
Evelyn Darling
Executive Director
Lisa Malo
Marketing Director
Victoria Mariano
Program Director
Alex Monaco
Program Coordinator
Board of Directors
Julian Wade
Chair
Davis Publications / The Printers Building Trust
Julie Holstrom
Vice Chair
Worcester Business Development Corporation
Troy Siebels
Treasurer
The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory for the Performing Arts
Charles “Chip” Norton Jr.
Clerk
Franklin Realty Advisors / Mercantile Center
Evelyn Cabrera
YWCA Central Massachusetts
Sean Harris
Quinsigamond Community College
Kate McEvoy
Synergy Investments
Paul Morano
City of Worcester
Seth Pitts
Bay State Savings Bank
Mary Simone
AC Hotel Worcester
Joffrey Smith
Joffrey Smith Financial Group / Concordia Exchange
Margaret Wong
Massachusetts Community College Council
Blog
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Meet the Artist: Victor “Marka27” Quiñonez
Victor “Marka27” Quiñonez is an international street artist whose colorful works blend the worlds of street and pop culture with Mexican and indigenous influences. The artist has coined his signature style “Neo Indigenous.” Marka27 honed his skills and developed his trademark style long before “street art” was a term. Marka27 partners with major brands and downtown districts to create paintings, murals, drawings, mixed-media pieces, and more. Read our latest blog to learn more about how Marka27 has contributed to Downtown Worcester’s art scene.
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Take a Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Worcester BLM Mural and One of the Artists Behind It
Within the past year, murals started to appear throughout the country, in a sign of solidarity for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. As a community committed to social justice and human rights, a group of over 500 volunteers helped to create a street mural along Worcester’s Major Taylor Boulevard. This all-inclusive street mural, completed by 18 local artists with the support of the City administration and other local organizations, is reflective of the great work that happens when a community comes together for a common cause. Read our latest blog to learn more.
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Meet the Artist: Caleb Neelon
Caleb Neelon’s Massachusetts roots have spread to the Worcester street art scene and helped blossom a new enclave of creativity in the community. In 2014, Caleb’s 4-story mural on Worcester’s Denholm building was the city’s first step in embracing public art, paving the way for the artists and works that would come after. Due, in part, to skilled muralists such as Neelon, Worcester’s walls have become a rich canvas, welcoming artists from around the world to experience Worcester. Read our latest blog to learn more.
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