Neighborhood Improvement District and Pedestrian Lighting on Baltimore Ave.

We don't know much about this other than this link: http://www.nonid.blogspot.com

Any insight into Neighborhood Improvement Districts would be welcomed. Our understanding is: It is an attempt by the University City District to get money from property owners for neighborhood improvements since they fear the universities (Penn, Drexel, and that Pharmacy school)will soon take money away from neighborhood improvement iniatives. I went to a meeting that they had about a year ago - they wanted to "tax" landlords (people who owned homes with four or more units) for improvements that they wanted to make in the area - things like - trash pick up, tree trimming (so there will be more light on the street etc.) The landlords were against the "tax" because it would force them to increase rent for their tenants. Comments and information, please