Frequently Asked Questions
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S.I.D.s in General
What in the world is an S.I.D.?
A Special Improvement District (SID) or Business Improvement District (BID) is a private/ public partnership
where property and business owners (stakeholders) of a defined area elect to make a collective contribution to the maintenance, development and marketing/promotion of their commercial district.
SIDs are grassroots organizations, that are driven by community support and require legislative authorization by the municipality in which it resides, in order to be established.
As a business and/or commercial property owner, why would I want an SID?
As a stakeholder you share an invested interest in the vitality of the business district. An SID is a vehicle for stakeholders to better protect their investments and help it grow.
As a local resident, how does an SID affect me?
SIDs can benefit local resident in two ways: 1) property value and 2) your "quality of life." As any realtor will tell you, the closer you live to a thriving business district the higher your property value and "quality of life." See our community news for great examples of how the business and neighborhood community can work together.
Are all SIDs the same?
No, all SIDs are not the same. Typically, an SID is initiated by stakeholders (business/ property owners) with the support of the local community and in partnership with municipal government to address the unique needs of that business district. The structure of an SID (goals, membership, Officers, district boundaries, conduct of business, etc.) can vary in both the City Ordinance creating it and organization By-Laws. The most common difference among SID is of course - funding. Budgets vary according to funding sources such as SID tax assessments, grants, and private investments. Compared together, New Jersey SID budgets range from only a few thousand up to a few million dollars.
When was the first SID created in Jersey City? New Jersey?
Established in 1992, the Central Avenue SID was the first of four SIDs in Jersey City (Journal Square, McGinley Square, and Historic Downtown/ Newark Avenue). The first SID in the State of New Jersey was created in 1985 in the Township of Cranford. SIDs have become so popular that New Jersey has approximately 70 SID today.
The CASID
What exactly does the word "CASID" mean?
"CASID" is short for "Central Avenue Special Improvement District" which is the official name of the Central Avenue business district. "Central Avenue Special Improvement District Management Corporation" is the name of the business organization on Central Avenue which is commonly referred to as "CASID."
Is the CASID part of Municipal Government/ City of Jersey City?
No. Although the services provided the CASID is often mistaken for municipal government, the CASID is a non-profit 501c(4) organization
Is the CASID a political organization or affiliated with one?
No. The CASID is an independent organization therefore it is not affiliated with any political party.
Why was an SID created on Central Avenue?
Central Avenue is only one of ten major business districts in Jersey City (Journal Square, McGinley Square, Historic Downtown/ Newark Avenue,
Danforth Avenue/Old Bergen Road, West Side Avenue, MLK Boulevard, Route 440, Newport Area, and Ocean Avenue). In today's evolving business environment, municipal government services plays an important roll in the success of the business community. With plenty of competition for limited municipal resources, Central Avenue business/ property owners established an SID in late 1992 to supplement, not substitute, those services. In doing so, the Central Avenue business district became a unified business organization and strong advocate in Jersey City.
How is the CASID funded?
See Funding Structure.
What area is considered the Central Avenue Special Improvement District?
See Area Map.
CASID Members
Who is a member of the CASID?
All commercial property and business owners on Central Avenue between North St. and Manhattan Avenue are members of the CASID.
How many members belong to the CASID?
Due to multiple partners in many Central Avenue commercial property and business ventures, the CASID estimates 450+ members. There are 200 commercial properties, 240 storefronts, within the district plus an estimated 30 second floor offices. Only 10% of the commercial properties on Central Avenue are owner occupied.
I own a residential property owner on Central Avenue, am I a member?
No.
What if my business or office is on Central Avenue but it is located on the second floor (or above) of a commercial building, am I still considered a member of the CASID?
Yes, as long as your business is located in a commercial property within the business district you are a member of the CASID organization.
Are there membership fees?
Yes. The SID Assessment collected on each commercial property within the Central Avenue Business District is considered the membership fee. Property owners are obligated to pay the SID tax assessment like any other property tax. Commercial tenants may directly or indirectly incur this fee depending on a prior arrangement or lease agreement.
If I want to open a new business on Central Avenue, do I have to register it with the CASID office?
Yes. While there is no legal obligation, you should register with the CASID office so membership benefits can be made available to you as soon as possible.
If I have a business outside the district, can I become a full member of the CASID?
No. To receive the full benefits of a CASID member you must be located inside the district boundaries. However, businesses outside the district can become associate members for a reasonable fee. Associate members do not receive voting powers in Corporation functions but they do enjoy other benefits such as discounts on CASID campaign advertisement programs. To learn more, contact the CASID office.
If I own a commercial property or business within the Central Avenue Business District can I choose NOT to be a member of the CASID, NOT pay the SID Assessment, and, you know, still enjoy the benefits of doing business on Central Avenue?
NO, NO, and NO. Your business does not begin and end at the front door. As stakeholders, each business and commercial property owner on Central Avenue must contribute to, and share in, the responsibility of maintaining the district. Any business or commercial property owner within the district who does not wish to reinvest in the community is welcomed to relocate elsewhere.
Jersey City Streets & Sidewalks
What are the laws pertaining to Jersey City Streets and Sidewalks?
Please refer to the Code of Jersey City Chapter 296 "Streets & Sidewalks." There you can find information pertaining to Sidewalk Cleaning, Snow Removal, Placement of Telephones, Sidewalk Cafes, Sidewalk Sales, etc.
Are business owners required to maintain their sidewalks even though the CASID provides streetscape maintenance (street sweepers)?
Yes. The CASID Streetscape Maintenance Operation (SMO) was created to assist, not replace, business owners in their effort to keep Central Avenue clean and presentable. All business owners are asked to clean their sidewalks at least once everyday upon opening for business. The SMO will maintain the district clean the rest of the day.
Can a CASID business receive a summons for a dirty sidewalk?
Yes. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the business owner to maintain their own sidewalk.
Sidewalk Sales - Are businesses free to sell merchandise on Jersey City sidewalks as they please?
No. Sidewalk Sales in Jersey City require a permit. A business within the Central Avenue business district must obtain a sidewalk sale permit from the CASID office. Sidewalk sales are limited to three consecutive days a month and can extend no further then four (4) feet from the storefront. Merchandise is not permitted near curbs. Contact the CASID office to obtain a sidewalk sale permit or for further details.
Sidewalk Cafes - My customers want to dine outside, what do I have to do to obtain a Sidewalk Cafe permit?
You can start by simply filling out an application. Sidewalk Cafe applications can be picked up at the Department of Housing, Economic Development & Commerce (HEDC) and the CASID office.
Snow removal - Hey my back hurts, can the CASID shovel my sidewalk after a snowfall?
Sorry pal, but the answer is NO. The CASID SMO will only clean public spaces such as crosswalks, garbage cans, and benches after a snow fall.
Every owner, occupant or person having charge of a commercial building or vacant lot shall, in case of a snowfall, clear such snow from the sidewalks and gutters thereof to the extent of one foot outside the curb in front of the building or lot, as well as on the side thereof where the building or lot faces on more than one street, within four hours after the snow has fallen. If the snow has fallen during the night, removal shall be finished within four hours after sunrise.
Central Avenue Garbage Issues
What are the laws pertaining to Garbage and Solid Waste in Jersey City?
Please refer to the Code of Jersey City Chapter 287 "Solid Waste." There you can find information pertaining to illegal dumping, disposal of hazardous refuse, food refuse, duties of owners and tenants, etc.
Who do I call in Jersey City to assist me in resolving a garbage issue?
Either the Jersey City Incinerator Authority (JCIA) or the Jersey City Neighborhood Improvement District (NID) can assist your needs.
Garbage night, when is it?
Monday and Thursday nights are garbage nights for the Central Avenue Business District. Garbage can be placed on the curb no earlier then 7 pm. Garbage will be picked up between the hours of 7 pm and 6 am.
Recycling night, when is it?
Recycling can be brought to the curb on Tuesday nights no earlier then 7 pm. Recycling will be picked up between 7 pm and 6 am.
Are businesses required to have a private garbage pickup?
Yes. The City of Jersey City and Waste Management will not pick up bulk garbage or recycling. More then five (5) bags of garbage or bulk recycling must seek a private pickup service.
There is a garbage receptacle in front of my business giving me grief, can it be removed?
No. If a garbage receptacle was removed every time a business/ property owner made a request then there would not be a single garbage container on the Avenue. Where would litter then go? If garbage is illegally dumped next to your garbage container, please contact the CASID office, the JCIA, and the NID upon discover (hey if you initiate the call then most likely you would not be held responsible or receive a summons). People who illegally dump garbage will continue to do so until they punished. Working together, we can catch these social misfits.
Hand Bills/ Flier Distribution
What are the laws pertaining to Advertising Material in Jersey City?
Please refer to the Code of Jersey City Chapter 81 "Advertising Material." There you can find information pertaining to posting handbills or signs on public property, placing handbill in or upon vehicles, removal of signs and handbills, etc.
What is the worst that can happen if I place handbills/ fliers on parked cars?
Other then annoying vehicle owners, creating additional litter within the district, and the fact that it is illegal, the business responsible for distributing the handbill will receive a summons from the City of Jersey City. Upon receiving complaints from the community, the CASID will work with city officials to enforce the law.
Hey, I just posted a handbill/ sign on a Central Avenue pole and now its gone. What happened to it?
That's right it is gone. The CASID SMO has strict instructions to immediately dispose of all signs and handbills posted on all Central Avenue streetscape fixtures and public property. The moral of the story is don't waste your money or time littering the Avenue with advertisement material.
Is there a place for the community to display handbills and signs?
Yes. There is a community bulletin board at the center of the business district. All handbills and signs are welcomed there free of charge. Simply bring your flier/ handbill to the CASID office and it will be taken care of.
Peddlers/ Vendors
What are the laws pertaining to
street Peddlers in Jersey City?
Please refer to the Code of Jersey City Chapter 245 "PEDDLING, SOLICITING AND CANVASSING." There you can find information pertaining to peddlers.
Who is considered a street peddler?
A peddler is any person, traveling by foot, wagon, automotive vehicle or any other type of conveyance from place to place, from house to house or from street to street, carrying, conveying or transporting goods, wares or merchandise, offering and exposing the same for sale, or making sales and delivering articles to purchasers, or who, without traveling from place to place, shall sell or offer the same for sale from a wagon, automotive vehicle, railroad car or other vehicle or conveyance.
What is the difference between a peddler and a vendor?
A vendor (such as famous "George the Hot Dog Guy" at the corner of Bowers and Central Avenue) deals with food or ice cream. A vendor permit is very different from a peddler's permit. The CASID welcomes vendors, like "George the Hot Dog Guy" to do business from a side street off of Central Avenue where they don't take up valuable parking spaces and do not interfere with the flow of the business community.
Are peddlers allowed in the Central Avenue Business District?
No. Whether they have a valid permit or not, NO peddler may sell or offer to sell any goods, wares or merchandise within the areas designated as The Central Avenue Special Improvement District. This is actually a law under Chapter 245.
What should I do if a street peddler enters my establishment?
As a good business person, you should first offer the peddler to solicit your customers only if you can take 20% of whatever business they do (hey you have to pay the rent somehow right.) Just kidding- all business owners are encouraged to contact the Police Department and CASID office immediately.
Local Residents
I have concerns about Central Avenue. Can I speak to someone about them?
Absolutely. The CASID office welcomes all constructive citizen and feedback especially from local residents, neighbors, shoppers, and CASID Members. You can either email the CASID office or call for an appointment.
My Neighborhood Block Association would like to invite the CASID to attend one of our meetings as a guest speaker and address concerns regarding Central Avenue. Is that possible?
Yes. The CASID is always available to address public concerns regarding the Avenue. Please send an email request including you name, the name of the Block Association, time, date, and location of meeting.
Although I'm not a member, I would like to attend a Regular Meeting of the CASID. As a member of the public, am I allowed to do so?
Yes. All Regular Meetings of the CASID are open to the public. You will be given time to speak and allowed to stay as long as you do not disrupt the meeting. Please be sure to call ahead to confirm scheduled meetings as they may become postponed.
I want to make a complaint about a Central Avenue business, who can I contact?
Who you can call depends on the nature of the complaint. If you contact the CASID office, we can further assist you.
Urban Enterprise Zone Program
How does the UEZ benefit consumers & City residents?
Consumers who shop in the Urban Enterprise Zones save money by paying a reduced sales tax. City residents benefit from the program, because funds generated from the sales tax collection are used for capital investments in municipal services for Jersey City's Urban Enterprise Zone areas. For example, UEZ funds helped purchase new police cars, CCTV cameras, and facade improvements. More importantly, the UEZ program creates much needed new jobs for local residents.
I just opened a new business on Central Avenue, can I charge half the sales tax?
No, not until you have registered your business with the UEZ.
How do I register my business with the UEZ?
Fill out an application for the UEZ and submit it to the JCEDC. Applications are also available at the CASID office.
I have tax questions regarding the UEZ?
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