WILDWOOD – A retail renaissance is taking shape in the Wildwoods’ Downtown shopping district; and the Wildwood Business Improvement District (WBID) is making it happen.

The WBID is responsible for Downtown Wildwoods’ cool new streetscape with loads of curb appeal – including new banners, curbs, neon signs, streetscapes, decorative lighting, additional street furnishings and eye-catching directional signs. Located from Cresse Avenue to 26th Street, Downtown Wildwood is comprised of 26 blocks of eateries, unique shops, bars, hotels/motels and fun things to do and see.

The WBID, formed in 2004, is comprised of businesses and professionals, who, together, enhance, showcase and share the Wildwood Business Improvement District. A non-profit corporation, the WBID oversees specific aspects of the district including: special events, entertainment, advertising and funding capital projects. This partnership and the community provide a forum for business owners to meet and collaborate.

The WBID is aggressively tackling their strategic plan, which focuses on ongoing beautification and revitalization of the downtown, as well as raising awareness of this unique sightseeing and shopping destination.

While in town, a ride on "Dolly the Trolley" is a “Must-Doo!” Dolly is exclusive to Downtown Wildwood as a fun and memorable way to see and shop the entire 2-square-mile district. Dolly runs from 5 p.m.-11 p.m. along Atlantic and Pacific Avenues with clearly marked "Dolly" stops along her route, which extends the entire length of Wildwood from 26th Street to Cresse Avenues. The best part is that Dolly the Trolley is FREE…so hop on and tell friends back home that you toured the Downtown on Dolly the Trolley!

With all these efforts to revitalize the existing Downtown district and enhance awareness and foot traffic to its existing business owners, there has never been a better time to invest in a Downtown Wildwood business and/or open a new business; and the opportunities are presently at their peak. Leasing space is anticipated to sell out quickly, as Downtown Wildwood continues to grow as its own “must-doo” destination in the Wildwoods.

“Our mission statement is simple and clear,” said WBID Director Patrick Rosenello. “We will professionally manage the Downtown Wildwood district so that our Standards of Excellence are delivered effectively to our businesses and their customers, exceed their expectations, and provide and experience of enhanced value,” explained Rosenello.

The improvement strategy for Downtown Wildwood is envisioned through 2015 with a plan called the Wildwood Vision 2015. Via a close-working relationship with the City of Wildwood and other organizations, the plan focuses on eight areas of transformation in the town: Administration, Strategic Planning, Infrastructure Improvements, Design Enhancements, Marketing, Special Events and Business Support. The Wildwood Vision 2015 has over 50 projects in place to assist in these areas. Some of these include a multi-modal transportation center; Convention Center Hotel development; a unique beach park; overflow beach parking; and, perhaps most significantly to Downtown Wildwood, a Boardwalk Gateway connecting Downtown Wildwood to the Boardwalk district. These proposed plans are the immediate future of the Wildwoods, making way for growth and prosperity for the community and its businesses.

The WBID also works diligently to further promote the Wildwoods family resort destination by financially supporting some of the Wildwoods popular special events including the Baby Parade, the Seafood and Music Festival, Roar to the Shore, Restaurant Week and the Christmas Parade.

The WBID is readying a new website for the downtown district at www.dowildwood.com. This new site will provide a directory to Downtown Wildwood and its business and shops, photos and more. It will also allow visitors to preview all that the district and the WBID has to offer now and will offer in the future. The Downtown District can also be found on Facebook by searching for “Wildwood By the Sea.”

“We want everyone who comes to the Wildwoods to make Downtown Wildwood a traditional part of their experience here. We are an important thread in the fabric of this great destination, and we encourage all of those who come here to have fun in our great towns to “Doo Downtown Wildwood!” said Rosenello.

For more information about the Wildwoods Business Improvement District please visit www.dowildwood.com or call 609-523-1602.