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.
Read more about the BID’s work and accomplishments in our FY2019-2022 Progress 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.
Hospitality & Safety
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 & PR
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 508-414-9953.
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 @DowntownWorcesterBID and on Instagram @downtownworcesterbid.
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 portable sound system, stanchions, portable coolers, and pop-up tents. To learn more about having the Ambassadors at an event or using the kit items, please fill out our interest form or contact us.
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 so, we are looking for approachable, dedicated, and hard-working individuals who love Downtown to join us!
Check out our current opportunities below or email us at info@downtownworcester.org to learn more.
PROGRAM & EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
The Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) is seeking an energetic and experienced person to serve as its Program and Executive Assistant. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Program and Executive Assistant will be responsible for providing assistance to the Executive Director and other staff as well as managing the day-to-day administration of our growing organization.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
– Provide administrative and project support to Executive Director, Program Director, and Marketing & Communications Manager
– Schedule meetings and appointments
– Support financial operations; Assist external bookkeeper with coordination of invoice approvals and credit card reconciliation; Handle deposits; Prepare membership dues collections letters and reports; Assist with audit preparation and annual filings
– Manage database and event calendars
– Support board and committee meetings, including taking minutes and sending out materials
– Provide support for other BID meetings and event planning, including coordination for any catering needs
– Assist with social media engagement and routine website edits
– Assist with contract/vendor administration, including obtaining insurance certificates and assisting with contract renewals
– Oversee IT consultant relationship
– Manage everyday functions of the office, including maintenance requests and oversight of supplies and equipment
– Monitor compliance with organizational and HR policies, assist in the onboarding process for new hires and interns, and track organization PTO
– Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
We are looking for candidates with the following skills and experience:
– 3-5 years of professional experience in office administration
– Detail-oriented with strong organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills
– Initiative and the ability to complete tasks efficiently
– Positive attitude and the ability to work effectively with all different types of people
– Strong written and verbal communication skills
– Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
– Familiarity with Worcester and interest in supporting the business district
– Comfort in maintaining technical systems
– CRM/database familiarity
– Microsoft Office
SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS
Full-time, $45,000-55,000 depending on experience, plus health and dental benefits, health reimbursement account, vacation, disability and life insurance, 401k
EXPECTED START DATE
Mid-July 2023
APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates should email a resume and a cover letter outlining relevant experience to hiring@downtownworcester.org. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their application by May 26, 2023. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, with priority given to those received by this date.
Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District is an equal opportunity employer.
AMBASSADOR PROGRAM STAFF
The Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District contracts with Streetplus to manage our Ambassador Program. Streetplus hires throughout the year using Indeed.com.
Contact Us
Staff/Board
Evelyn Darling
Executive Director
Lisa Malo
Marketing & Communications Manager
Victoria Mariano
Program Director
Board of Directors
Julie Holstrom
Chair
Worcester Business Development Corporation
Julian Wade
Vice Chair
Davis Publications
Peter Alden
Treasurer
Bay State Savings Bank
Charles “Chip” Norton Jr.
Clerk
Franklin Realty Advisors/Mercantile Center
Debbie Hall
YWCA
Sean Harris
Quinsigamond Community College
Kate McEvoy
UMass Memorial Health Care
Leticia Medina-Richman
Central West Justice Center
Paul Morano
City of Worcester
Troy Siebels
The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts
Mary Simone
AC Hotel Worcester
Joffrey Smith
Joffrey Smith Financial Group / Concordia Exchange
Jason Vuong
Gong Cha Worcester
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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