NORWICH – The city’s Business Improvement District – formed in October 1986 – celebrated its 25-year anniversary with an overview of its history, a number of guest speakers and an update on the East and West Parks project at its annual meeting Friday.

BID Board President Deb Sylstra said there were several questions raised when the BID was originally created over two decades ago, with many people asking if the organization was even necessary and wondering if it would it survive.

“Thankfully, we live in a community where people step up and serve,” said Sylstra, who added that – since it was formed – the BID has been involved with – and responsible for – a number of successful projects.

Incorporated as a non-profit corporation in 1992, the original goals of the BID remain constant today: improve downtown, generate more retail traffic, assist organizations with new projects, develop new programs, recruit new businesses and work in partnership with the city, according to BID Vice President Mary Davis.

“At that time, the primary objective of the BID was the completion of a Streetscape project,” said Davis, which would include “sidewalk replacement, decorative inlay, street trees, pedestrian level lighting, underground wiring and street furniture to revitalize our downtown.”

Once funding for the estimated $920,000 undertaking was in place, the Streetscape project began to take shape, with renovations to the downtown district commencing in 2000. A few years later, said Davis, the BID’s vision for downtown had become a reality.

Recently, the BID was awarded another $500,000 in city revitalization grant funding, which will be utilized to renovate additional downtown businesses and structures in the near future.

“It’s all about improving our downtown and bringing people into this community,” said Executive Director Pegi LoPresti. “People want a viable downtown to visit.”

Guest speaker and Frontier Communications Vice President of Operations Jim Currie said the number of times he’s left Norwich – and returned – has given him a unique perspective into the many achievements the BID has been a part of over the years. Once the East and West Parks project is finished, he added, the new look of downtown should act as a magnet, drawing more people into the city.

“The BID is a critical part of that,” stated Currie. “I’m proud to live here. I’m every bit as proud of this city now as I was 25 years ago.”