Birmingham Shopping District News & Notes

The City of Birmingham will be holding another informational meeting for businesses in Downtown Birmingham to provide an update on plans for the reconstruction of Old Woodward. This meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 28th from 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in room 205 of Birmingham City Hall. The meeting will involve a review of the final plans and plan logistics for the project, along with known timelines and features for future ongoing communications regarding the project.

Downtown Business Meeting:
Tuesday, February 28th, 2017 - 8:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Birmingham City Hall, Room 205, 151 Martin Street

For more information and to see the final plans:
Please visit www.bhamgov.org/downtowninfrastructure.

Reach Thousands Every Week:

Become a Birmingham Farmers Market Sponsor

The Birmingham Farmers Market is one of the community's favorite events, highly regarded throughout Michigan, and welcomes an average of 3,000 attendees every week. Reach thousands AND support the community with a Birmingham Farmers Market sponsorship! For as little as $100, your name or business can be listed as one of many who support the market. Download detailed information about many levels of sponsorship in the 2017 Birmingham Farmers Market sponsor packet . Hurry, the sponsorship deadline is Wednesday, March 1. Thank you in advance for your support!

Remember, Birmingham businesses may have a booth at the Birmingham Farmers Market for two weeks free throughout the season. Download and submit your 2017 Merchant Application today.

For more information, contact Lori Rondello at lrondello@bhamgov.org or (248) 530-1254. Like or follow the Birmingham Farmers Market on Facebook and via Twitter and Instagram (@BhamFarmMkt).

FREE Valet Begins Soon for Customers

The reconstruction of Old Woodward from Oakland to Brown, which is planned to begin this Spring, will provide the downtown with a fresh new look with several new amenities. Throughout construction the Birmingham Shopping District will be offering FREE two hour valet to customers!*

Here's what your customers need to know about the service:

FREE Valet for Customers:

When: Available Monday - Saturday,10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
WHERE: Three locations TBD
HOW: Customers simply pull up and drop off their car. They tell the valet how long they plan to stay and receive a card with a phone number. When they're ready to leave, they call or text the valet at least 15 minutes ahead and their car will be ready.

* This service is not intended for employees. If customers plan to be longer than two hours, they are instructed to ask someone where they're doing business to validate (sign or stamp) their ticket. For those who are not shopping or conducting business in the area, enjoy the first two hours free then $5 per hour for each additional hour with a $30 per day maximum.

Monthly Permit Parking Rate Increase Goes Into Effect March 1, 2017

The City of Birmingham will be increasing the rates for monthly parking permits sold by the City's Auto Parking System. Monthly permits allow for unlimited parking in a particular area such as a parking structure or municipal lot. Monthly permits are typically geared toward employees working within the Central Business District.

There is currently more demand for permits than there is space available, therefore, if you are interested in purchasing one, you will have to be placed on a waiting list. Applications for a permit can be obtained by going to the SP+ website at: www.tinyurl.com/BirminghamParking

Starting March 1, 2017, the following monthly rates will apply:

Pierce St. Parking Structure $70

Park St. Parking Structure $70

Peabody St. Parking Structure $70

N. Old Woodward Ave. Parking Structure $70

Chester St. Parking Structure $50

Parking Lot #6 Regular $70

Parking Lot #6 Economy $50

Ann St. $60

S. Old Woodward Ave. $35

Also, for those that work evening jobs, an Evening Only Monthly Permit is immediately available for purchase at any of the five parking structures listed above. The permit is sold at a $20 discount from the current or proposed prices charged for a regular monthly permit. Evening Only Permits can be obtained at the local SP+ Parking office located at the Chester St. Parking Structure, 180 S. Chester St. If you have questions, please call the SP+ office at 248-540-9690.

Park SMART This Spring

Temperatures will be warming soon, and that means more shoppers will be heading to Birmingham! To ensure it's quick and easy for them to find a parking space, please remind your employees to park in the parking structures, and encourage your customers to use Parkmobile.

Parking Decks

Birmingham's parking meters are intended for exactly that purpose, which is why they have a one-hour parking limit. When your employees use metered spots and "feed the meter" throughout the day, it makes it hard for the quick shopper to find a spot and less likely to stop at all. The parking decks are designed for people who plan to be in town longer, whether it's employees or visitors.

Parkmobile

All meters in Birmingham are Parkmobile enabled, which means your customers can easily use their cell phones or smart phones to pay for parking. Learn more here: www.parkmobile.com.

Gain Exposure with Movie Night Sponsorship

Each summer, more than 3,000 people visit Booth Park to enjoy a movie under the stars. Birmingham Movie Nights draw families and young people from Birmingham, Bloomfield, and surrounding communities for popular, classic, family-friendly movies. The event offers a fun, appropriate and safe evening of entertainment for those of all ages.

We are able to offer this event to the community because of the support of our local sponsors. To be included as a sponsor in our advertising and signage, commitments are needed by May 1. Hurry, several Movie Night sponsor opportunities are already sold out. To become a sponsor, download our 2017 Movie Night sponsorship form today.

Explore Business Recommendations at One Stop Shop Workshops

Oakland County One Stop Shop Business Center will be offering workshops for business owners at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center located at 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford 48328. Workshop offerings include:

Use Your Smartphone to Improve Your Business-3/1/17

Team SBA Financing Roundtable - 3/2/17

CEED Lending Small Business Loan Orientation - 3/8/17

Starting A Business - 3/9/17

Social Media for Business Growth - 3/23/17

Women's Business Enterprise Certification Orientation - 3/29/17

You Asked For It! How Surveys Help You Get the Information You Need - 3/30/17

Market Research Basics - 4/4/17

Learn more at https://www.oakgov.com/advantageoakland/pages/all-events.aspx.

Send Us Your News & Promotions

The BSD will help promote your store news, events and promotions via social media! Simply e-mail your information to info@ALLINBirmingham.com and we'll help you spread the word via the Birmingham Shopping District Facebook page. Like or follow the Birmingham Shopping District on Facebook and via Twitter and Instagram (@BhamShopping).

Tell Your Employees - Discounts in Birmingham!

Be sure your employees know they're eligible for an Employee Discount Card! The card provides discounts at participating Birmingham stores. Show them the complete list with participating merchants and discount information at www.ALLINBirmingham.com/employeediscount.

Follow the Snow Ordinance

As a reminder, please take a moment to review the City's snow ordinance so you can avoid fines. Remember property owners are responsible for salting in front of their buildings.

* If your store has sidewalk from the door to the street, the store or the property owner must shovel all additional snow to the street - past the curb. If your store has parking meters in front, you must clear snow around and between the meters. If your store has a grassy area in front, you may shovel snow to that area as long as you do not block a pedestrian right of way.
* You must also clear snow three feet around fire hydrants if they are in front of your store.
* When any snow or ice shall cease to fall or form during daylight hours, snow or ice shall be cleared within 12 hours after it stops.
* When any snow or ice shall cease to fall during nighttime hours, it must be cleared by 6 p.m. on the day following.
* If the specified area is not cleared, the Department of Public Services may determine that an area is unsafe. They will clear the snow at your expense.
* You are also responsible for daily salting, as needed, to keep your sidewalk safe. The BSD contractor does not salt in front of all stores.
* Store owners or staff: If you are unsure of who is responsible for snow removal around your building under your lease agreement, contact your landlord or property manager.

Please note the Birmingham Shopping District (BSD) has contracted privately for clearing a 48" path along the sidewalk. This service is in place to provide minimum snow clearing to make sidewalks safe and passable. Our contractor is Nick's Maintenance, LLC. For more information, contact the BSD at 248-530-1200.

Birmingham Shopping District - 151 Martin Street-Birmingham, MI 48009

www.ALLINBirmingham.com