Resident Questions BID, SID

WILDWOOD ─ “How can we move forward,” asked resident Ryan Troiano, “when a management company is owned by a mayor of another town?” 
Troiano recently expressed concerns for the city and two improvement districts: Wildwood Business Improvement District (BID) and the Wildwoods Boardwalk Special Improvement District (SID).
City commissioners held public hearings on both the BID and SID budgets Feb. 28, prompting Troiano to question the commission. Troiano also referred to the SID’s overseer, Mayor Patrick Rosenello of North Wildwood.
City administrator Christopher Fox explained that Mayor Ernie Troiano sits on the boards along with other elected members. Business owners elect the board of directors and, according to SID’s program overview, “the board approves the annual report and budget of the organization, authorizes all expenditures and provides direction and oversight to the professional management team.”
“We (Wildwood) are not getting what we should,” Ryan Troiano continued, expressing concern for the city in general and Pacific Avenue.
Mayor Troiano explained Rosenello’s function within the organizations, saying he has “no voting power” and follows “strict guidelines.”
Troiano added that Rosenello “never sways the board” and how the BID felt “he knew what needed to be done.”
Though closely associated, the BID and SID are separate organizations. The organizations also work with the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA).
Ryan Troiano voiced concern for the SID’s proposed budget, as presented in the report.
“My son could draw up a budget like this,” he said.
Mayor Troiano replied that the budget is simple and cited financial constraints. The SID’s budget for 2018 totals $255,000.
The BID’s proposed budget totals $504,359.
Commissioner Peter Byron said Ryan Troiano and any resident has the right to ask questions.
However, Byron added, “I don’t think the BID or SID will ever go away.”
Seeking clarification on the purpose and function of both Improvement Districts, the Herald contacted Rosenello and conducted a phone interview March 3.
Rosenello explained that both groups are the result of business owners forming a non-profit organization. Those groups asked the City of Wildwood to “designate a certain area as a BID (business improvement district).”
The SID seeks to improve the Boardwalk while the BID focuses on the downtown, specifically Pacific Avenue.
According to the SID’s program overview, the “WSID has taken on a leadership role in the revitalization of the Wildwoods Boardwalk” since 1997.
Rosenello said the “genius” of those special groups is its public-private partnerships. Improvement districts can be found throughout urban centers around the world and U.S. cities.
When asked about the plight of Pacific Avenue, Rosenello said, “Any business needs customers.”
Attracting residents and summer guests to Wildwood’s downtown is the BID’s priority. This initiative (ongoing for 20 years) led to the creation of the Farmers Market, movie nights, and, in 2017, the creation of Byrne Plaza.
However, a challenge to the redevelopment is 26 blocks of commercial property.
According to Rosenello, renovating 26 blocks is impossible, requiring a future mix of commercial and residential solutions. Businesses are opening because of work already accomplished.
Rosenello clarified that no taxpayer dollars go into the budgets. Business owners invest their capital.
Byron also told the Herald that the budgets were tabled and that Rosenello would appear at the March 14 commissioners’ meeting to answer further questions.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.