Overlook Village Business District Association

Did you know that the City of Portland currently recognizes 35 business district associations? According to the Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations (APNBA)—a non profit corporation created in 1985 to serve Portland's businesses district associations—business district association (BDA) members are the merchants, property owners, and employees in the commercial districts that support and promote their commercial area:

Strong, active business district associations are the glue that hold neighborhoods together, giving them the distinctive identities that characterize Portland. Many of them serve the functions of a small town, offering the services and providing space for public interaction and community celebration. The well-organized business district association can be the business voice of this "micro-village" to the surrounding municipalities.

Portland's Newest BDA: Overlook Village

North Portland's Overlook neighborhood will soon be home to the Overlook Village BDA, which will become Portland's 36th BDA. Overlook Village is in the area bounded by North Killingsworth, from I-5 to Greeley, and one block north and south of Killingsworth.

Overlook Village is home to a diverse group of businesses: Atomic Pizza, Beaterville Cafe, Best Friends Bath & More, Blend Coffee Lounge, Day Break Cohousing, Di Prima Dolci Italian Bakery, DJ's Food Mart (1935 N Killingsworth), Eddie's Flat Iron Pizza, Fluid Community, George's Corner Tavern (5501 N Interstate), The Fish & Chip Shop, Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center (IFCC), Interior Components, Milk and Honey, Mio Sushi, North Portland Acupuncture Clinic (1905 N Killingsworth), Overlook Veterinary Hospital (2009 N Killingsworth), Queens Mab, Roots Garden Supply, Roux, Sagittarius, Stella's Barber Shop, Suri Iron, The Naked Sheep Knit Shop, Tsunami Thai, Yetti's (whose name will soon change to The Hop & Vine) and Yorgos Tavern.

 

"Our main goal at this time is to create awareness of the area as a place to live, shop and dine," explains Overlook Village President Yetta Vorobik. "We wish to create a dining and shopping district that serves the inhabitants of the Overlook Neighborhood and beyond."

After fulfilling the basic requirements to become a BDA, Overlook Village plans to host its first street fair on Saturday, August 1.

Atomic Pizza

 

 

Basic Requirements to Become A Recognized Business District Association

In order to become a recognized BDA, Overlook Village must meet basic requirements set forth by the City of Portland:

Business District Associations which have status as a Mutual Benefit Corporation or other non-profit designation of the State of Oregon, and meet the following will, upon request, be officially acknowledged by the City of Portland and be eligible for services and support (if available) provided by the Office of Neighborhood Involvement.

a. Membership

Membership shall be open to any business licensee or owner of property zoned for, or used for, a business purpose within the boundaries of the Business District Association.

Other individuals or organizations (such as Neighborhood Associations) may be members as set forth in each Business District Association's bylaws.

b. Boundaries

Geographic boundaries must be clearly stated in each Business District Association's bylaws. Boundaries may not overlap those of other Business District Associations unless agreed to in writing.

c. Non-discrimination

Business District Associations will not discriminate against individuals or groups based on race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, legal citizenship, national origin, income, or political affiliation in any of their policies, recommendations or actions.

d. Size

A Business District Association shall have at least 75 businesses within its geographic boundaries.

e. Bylaws

A Business District Association shall provide the Office of Neighborhood Involvement and the Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations or other designated entity up-to-date copies of bylaws, which meet the above criteria and include provisions for adopting and amending bylaws, establishing a quorum, setting the agenda, notification, elections, annual meetings, meeting requirements, and the grievance process.

f. Meeting requirements

Bylaws must provide for regular meetings. A general meeting must occur at a minimum once per year with notice to elect a Board of Directors. Business District Associations are encouraged to hold open meetings and maintain public records.

Acknowledgement as a Business District Association by the City of Portland

So, why exert the effort to become a BDA? Being recognized as a BDA has its rewards. The APNBA describes the perks that accompany the City's acknowledgement of a BDA:

After acknowledgement, Business District Associations are entitled to receive services and/or support including but not limited to:

a. Placement on the Office of Neighborhood Involvement "Neighborhood Directory" which lists the names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail and web addresses of the Business District Association, its president, a designated contact person and staff, if any. The contact list will be used to send mailings from City agencies.

b. Mediation services which can be used for resolving disagreements between Business District Associations or a Business District Association and its Neighborhood Association(s).

c. Notification by appropriate City bureaus on pertinent matters that fall within Business District Association boundaries or will affect their activities.

 

 

The APNBA also offers much-needed support and valuable services to strengthen Portland BDAs:

• Managing the annual BDA Grant Program.

• Helping associations organize and revitalize.

• Providing training and education through conferences and seminars.

• Providing a forum for discussion.

• Maintaining communication among the small business owners as well as between small business and the government.

• Advocating for BDAs or their members to the city, county, and state.

• Participating on policy making boards and committees city-wide and reporting on government activity that affects the districts.