Town Square is currently the main project consultant for the formation of a New York City Business Improvement District (BID), to stretch between Park Avenue and First Avenue along the bustling East 86th Street corridor in Manhattan. Featuring hundreds of retail vendors, two busy mass transit stops (the Lexington Avenue 6 train and the Second Avenue Q train), and over one billion dollars in assessed property value within its proposed borders, this project is on track to begin the “balloting phase” of the initiative in the 2025 calendar year.

Since Town Square was initially contracted in 2023 to consult on the project by the BID steering committee (comprising members of the existing E86th Street Association as well as Carnegie Hill Neighbors), we have conducted on-the-ground needs assessment surveys of the neighborhood’s merchants, helped to develop the metrics necessary for the creation of an assessment formula, and worked to define the BID’s boundaries, operating budget, and scope of services.

With many years of experience in BID formation and governance throughout New York City, including the 5 Avenue BID in Manhattan and The Atlantic Avenue BID in Brooklyn, Town Square’s team is excited to take on another formation project, with an ultimate goal of the creation of the East 86 Street Business Improvement District–a BID that would focus mainly on increased sanitation and security along this bustling New York City corridor.