Special Improvement District
The Main Street Business Alliance (MSBA) is a Special Improvement District (SID), set up for local property owners and businesses to make a collective contribution to the maintenance, development, and promotion of the Main Street/Downtown Hackensack area. Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about SIDs and why they’re important.
What is the relationship of the Main Street Business Alliance to the Special Improvement District?
The Main Street Business Alliance is the formal name of the legal entity that is the Special Improvement District. MSBA’s offices are located at 214 Main Street, Suite A. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For any questions or comments, or to learn about how to sponsor the MSBA and reach over 375 businesses in our district, please contact the Executive Director for information.
What are the boundaries of the MSBA Special Improvement District?
The MSBA Special Improvement District extends along Main Street from Clinton Place to Sussex Street. There are 160 commercial properties and more than 375 businesses within the district.
To see a map of the SID, click here.
How is it funded and what services does the MSBA provide?
The MSBA programs and services are underwritten by a special assessment collected from property owners. These fees are billed and collected by the city of Hackensack and turned over to the Alliance, which then delivers the services. The total collected annually is approximately $600,000.
The Main Street Business Alliance, created in January 2004, offers a myriad of services, such as:
Clean and green programs – Sanitation, Graffiti Removal, Power Washing, Landscaping, etc.
Marketing – Promotion of the SID and the businesses in our district
Events – of all sizes, for the residents of Hackensack and our visitors
Visual Improvements – grants for facades and signage
Creative Placemaking – promoting arts and culture
Vehicle and pedestrian circulation/parking – where you walk and where you park
Retention and recruitment of businesses – helping new and existing businesses grow and thrive
Public relations – communicate our news, and member information to the press
Who oversees the Main Street Business Alliance?
MSBA is governed by an 11-member Board of Directors elected by the members of the district, along with liaisons from the Chamber of Commerce, Johnson Public Library, and City Council. John T. Peters, our full-time Executive Director, reports to the Board and runs the day-to-day operations including the services, programs, marketing, and PR of the MSBA. John is the main liaison to City leadership.