Column | Castle Hill BID improves district tremendously in just under one year

BXEDC’s Rob Walsh and Marshall Strawbridge with Ortiz, along with representatives from Small Business Services and Council Member Amanda Farías, on Castle Hill Avenue.
BXEDC’s Rob Walsh and Marshall Strawbridge with Ortiz, along with representatives from Small Business Services and Council Member Amanda Farías, on Castle Hill Avenue.
Photo courtesy Castle Hill Business Improvement District

The Castle Hill Business Improvement District has been officially operating under BID Director Sasha Ortiz for less than a year. In that year, the BID has not only initiated the effort to improve the Castle Hill area — they have given it the kind of treatment that every urban neighborhood deserves.

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are formed in a defined area to improve upon security, sanitation, capital improvements, economic development and more. The Castle Hill BID was formed in 2022 and Ortiz, who is the BID’s first official director, was appointed in July 2023.

Since then, the BID has been able to provide a strong sense of community between the small businesses in the district with the help of the Bronx Borough President’s office and the partnership of the Bronx Economic Development Corporation.

Additionally, Ortiz has hosted holiday events, street festivals and beautification efforts that have made the area more hospitable to its residents. Their events — which so far have included a meet and greet with Santa Claus during the holidays, giveaways and more — are all free.

Ortiz says their work has increased small business success in the area, as well as foot traffic. She feels free events are a way for Bronxites and visitors alike to appreciate the Castle Hill area and its businesses.

In May, the BID hosted a street festival that emphasized small businesses and members of the community. The event was supported by City Council Member Amanda Farias, and Castle Hill T-shirts were made for it by Uptown Prints, a local printing shop.

This kind of event reminds residents of the benefits of living in a neighborhood like Castle Hill. It’s a neighborhood with small businesses, a strong community and most importantly, a Business Improvement District that will work toward keeping all those benefits intact.

The BXEDC has strategized with the Castle Hill BID to keep business in the district thriving. The main thing those businesses need is access to capital, which is something our loan programs can help with. Businesses in the Castle Hill BID and any other BID in the borough should go to our website, bxedc.org, to learn more.

Jilleen Barrett is director of marketing and communications for the Bronx Economic Development Corporation.