The Downtown Auburn BID sponsored its second annual Store Front Decorating Contest throughout the month of December, where the public was encouraged to vote for their favorite storefront decorations, and now the results are in!

€ The first place winner was Fabric Fair Upholstery, located at 66 Genesee St. For their decorating efforts they will receive $75.

€ The second place winner was Mark Lawn Opticians, located at 13 E. Genesee St., and for their decorating efforts they will receive $50.

€ And the award for third place was given to the Joseph Camardo Law Firm, located at 127 Genesee St., and for their efforts they will receive $25.

Thank you to all the downtown businesses that participated in the contest, your decorations helped to bring holiday cheer to downtown Auburn.

And thank you to all those who voted for their favorite storefront, we hope you enjoyed visiting downtown Auburn during the holiday season, and we hope you will come back again.

Each year at our annual meeting in July, new board members are elected to be a part of the Downtown Auburn BID board.

For the upcoming fiscal year, July 1, 2007 #- June 30, 2008, the BID will have five board positions open.

We will have two Class A board positions open, which are property owners, and two Class B board positions, which are commercial tenants.

We also have a Class D board position that is currently open, which is a residential person that lives within the BID boundaries.

Each board position is a three-year term corresponding with our fiscal calendar, July 1 #- June 30.

The BID board meets monthly, at 8 a.m. on the second Wednesday at the Red Cross on State Street.

Each board member would also be a part of one of the standing committees: Marketing and Promotions; Business R and R; and Government Relations.

If you would be interested in becoming a BID board member or a member of one of the standing committees listed above, please give the office a call at 252-7874 to set up an appointment.

This year, instead of just an annual meeting, the BID will be sponsoring its first State of Downtown Luncheon on Wednesday, July 11, at the Holiday Inn in Auburn.

At this meeting, a recap of what the BID has accomplished over the past year will be given, as well as information on anything that will be coming down the pipeline.

We will also be giving out for the first time, recognition awards to those businesses and people that have significantly contributed to the revitalization of downtown Auburn.

Anyone that is interested in what is going on in downtown Auburn is welcome to attend this meeting. So, mark your calendars.

To contact Auburn BID, call 252-7874, e-mail aubdpbid@CentralNY.TWCBC.com or stop by our office at 131 Genesee St. for a free copy of the Experience Downtown Auburn Brochure.

Sandra Craner is executive director of the Downtown Auburn BID