Bed-Stuy Gateway and the Fulton-Nostrand Revitalization Project

Bed-Stuy Gateway Kick Off Event!

Mayor Bloomberg Signs Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Into Law!

New York City's 64th and Bloomberg's 20th Business Improvement District Will Create a First-Class Retail and Business Destination of Choice for Central Brooklyn 

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK - March 30, 2009 - Following a unanimous vote by the New York City Council, Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Monday signed the legislation establishing the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business Improvement District in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, New York City's 64th, and Mayor Bloomberg's 20th. Beginning in fall  2009, the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID will provide district management services to properties along Fulton Street between Classon and Troy Avenues and along Nostrand Avenue between Halsey Street and Atlantic Avenue.

A desire of many residents and property owners of Bedford-Stuyvesant for nearly 30 years, the newly formed Bed-Stuy Gateway BID covers a bustling business district centered on the Brooklyn intersection of Fulton Street and Nostrand Avenue - a multi-modal transit hub that experiences some of the borough's heaviest pedestrian traffic. 

With an annual budget of $675,000, the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID will be among the top 20 largest BIDs in New York City which range in annual budgets from $12 million to $95,000. The Bed-Stuy Gateway BID will provide a comprehensive suite of services, including: security, sidewalk sanitation and maintenance, marketing and beautification. The commercial district under the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID's management contains nearly 500,000 square feet of retail space located within a ten minute walk of nearly 100,000 residents.   

"I applaud Councilmember Al Vann, his colleagues at City Council and Mayor Bloomberg for partnering with the business and property owners of Bedford-Stuyvesant and allowing us to take some control over the safety, cleanliness and direction of the district that is our livelihood," remarked Edmon Braithwaite, co-chairman of the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Steering Committee and owner of numerous businesses in the area. "Bedford-Stuyvesant business owners cannot afford to sit idly by as our potential customers are scared off by streets that are dirtier, less attractive and less safe than our competing areas. In these trying economic times, we need every competitive advantage we can get. The BID will allow us to control the experience our customers will have when they walk down our streets to visit to our stores."

"The formation of the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID is truly a result of grass-roots leadership wanting to effect positive change in their community," remarked Colvin Grannum, President/CEO of Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, a co-sponsor of the BID initiative. "Restoration is proud to have provided the technical assistance and support that was necessary to empower local leadership to push for the formation of the BID." 

The launch of the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID coincides with a $10 million streetscape beautification project (pictured above) that will enhance the visual appeal of the business district with the addition of two new public plazas, new sidewalks, trees, benches, additional lighting and other amenities. The Bed-Stuy Gateway Streetscape Beautification Project, which has funding from New York City, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Council Member Albert Vann and the New York City Department of Transportation, will break ground in the fall 2009. Construction is expected to last until early 2011.

About the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Steering Committee
The initiative to form the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID is a program partnership between Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants Association and Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation. The initiative is led by a steering committee composed of individuals from both organizations and other leaders from throughout Bedford-Stuyvesant. The vision of the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Steering Committee is to create a district that is the business and cultural destination of choice for all residents of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Clinton Hill, northern Crown Heights, Ocean Hill and Brownsville. The BID Steering Committee is committed to:

• A safe, clean and aesthetically attractive commercial and cultural destination;
• Fostering thriving and profitable businesses;
• Providing a variety of retail goods and services from a mixture of national brand and locally-based companies, including minority and women-owned small businesses;
• Valuing the diverse history, culture and styles of the residents of the Bedford-Stuyvesant and wider Central Brooklyn communities by offering goods and services that respond to the community's wants and desires.
  

About Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation     
Spearheaded by local activists and then crafted into legislation by Senators Robert F. Kennedy and Jacob Javits in 1967, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation (Restoration) is the nation’s first community development corporation.  
Restoration is based on a truly visionary, history-making conception of community development, encompassing the whole of a community’s economy, health and family life and artistic expression. BSRC's mission is to improve the quality of life for all residents of the Bedford Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn by strengthening the local economy, family life and culture through a wide variety of programs and services in economic development, the arts, youth education, housing preservation and development.  

BID Coverage:
http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=5&id=27258
http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2009_releases/pr09-03-072.shtm
http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2009/03/bed_stuy_bid_ge.php

4th Annual Bed-Stuy Alive! Community Festival

Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Receives a Key Vote of Support From Brooklyn Community Board #3

At its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, May 5, 2008, Brooklyn Community Board #3 overwhelmingly voted to issue a letter of support for the proposal to create the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business Improvement District, a major step forward in making the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID a reality.

During the introduction to the evening's presentation, Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Steering Committee co-chair Edmon Braithwaite stated, "as a small business owner, I see the tremendous potential that this business district possesses as a destination for Central Brooklyn's residents. However, I also face the numerous but easily solved challenges that can be overcome through the comprehensive services of this proposed business improvement district. Through my involvement with the Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants Association (FNUMA) in the last few years, I have seen what our united collective action can achieve on even limited resources. This is why I support the creation of this BID."

Joel Dabu, commercial revitalization manager for Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation which is co-sponsor of the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID initiative with FNUMA, followed Mr. Braithwaite's introduction with a presentation on the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID proposal. After a roll call of members of the board, Mr. Richard Flateau, chair of the board's Economic Development Committee stated that his committee voted after its March meeting to recommend that the full board issue a letter of support in favor of the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID proposal, after which Community Board Second Vice-Chair Tohma Faulkner called for a vote. The final tally was 29 board members in favor, 0 members in opposition, 2 members in abstention and 1 board member who recused for conflict of interest. The required quorum of 26 board members was met.

The Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Steering Committee will hold two public hearings on the BID proposal on the following dates:

• Thursday, May 8, 2008 | 9am-11am | 1368 Fulton Street
• Wednesday, May 28, 2008 | 7pm-9pm | 1368 Fulton Street

Individuals wishing to comment on the BID proposal must sign up in the 30 minute period preceding the start of each respective meeting. Comments will be limited to two minutes per speaker.

To RSVP for one or more meetings, please call (718) 636-6910 or email FNRPintern1@restorationplaza.org.

Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Public Hearings

We invite area business owners and residents to attend the

Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Public Hearings

and learn about this initiative to revitalize the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business District (Fulton Street and Nostrand Avenue).

Choose one of the following meetings to attend:

1. Thursday, May 8, 2008; 9:00am-11:00am

Location: Billie Holiday Theater - 1368 Fulton Street - Brooklyn, NY 11216

2. Wednesday, May 28, 2008; 7:00pm-9:00pm

Location: Multipurpose Room - 1368 Fulton Street - Brooklyn, NY 11216

Please RSVP to (718) 636-6910 if you plan on attending one of our public hearings.

The Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Steering Committee proposes to create a Business Improvement District (BID) on Fulton Street (Classon Ave-Troy Ave) and Nostrand Avenue (Halsey St-Atlantic Ave). The Bed-Stuy Gateway BID proposes to provide the following services:

¨ Public Safety Patrols Seven Days a Week

¨ Street Maintenance Services that would include street sweeping, garbage bagging and the maintenance of lampposts and street furniture seven days a week

¨ Promotional and event marketing, arts and cultural festivals to promote shopping and

 cultural groups in the district

¨ Landscaping and beautification services

¨ Capital Improvements and installation of public amenities

The Bed-Stuy Gateway BID is a joint initiative of Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants Association and

Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation. For more information about the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID, please call (718) 636-6910 or visit www.BedStuyGateway.com.

2nd Annual Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant

Bedford-Stuyvesant's premiere social event is back!

The 2nd Annual Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant is coming up on Thursday, May 22, 2008. Come out and celebrate the continuing revitalization and renaissance of the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business District by helping us celebrate once again inside the beautiful Bedford-Stuyvesant branch of Carver Federal Savings Bank.

• Sample premium wines and cocktails from around the world
• Nibble on Hors d'oeuvres
• Sway to the cool sounds of Bedford-Stuyvesant's Brandon Sanders Jazz Ensemble

Proceeds from ticket sales to the Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant benefit the Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants Association and Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation's efforts to form the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business Improvement District.

2nd Annual Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant
Thursday, May 22, 2008; 7:30-10:30pm
Taking Place at Carver Federal Savings Bank
1281 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11216

Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant is sponsored by:

Presenting Sponsors:
Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants Association
Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation
Carver Federal Savings Bank
Nostrand Wines and Liquors

Click on the Button Below to Purchase Your Tickets Securely via PayPal:

(You will be taken to the PayPal website to complete your transaction).

Restoration Rocks Music Festival - Saturday, September 15, 2007; 12-5pm

September 15, 2007 from 12 PM – 5 PM
Raindate: September 16, 2007
Free in the Restoration Amphitheatre

The Restoration Rocks Music Festival is a free outdoor event featuring several of Brooklyn’s hippest, hottest, and funkiest bands. The event will celebrate Bed-Stuy’s cutting-edge style and Restoration’s 40th anniversary with live sets by Game Rebellion, Martha Redbone, Red Lights to Rio, Roughstars, Sankofa, Shelley Nicoles’s blaKbüshe, Shrine for the Black Madonna, and Tamar-kali. A great choice for any fan of Afro-Punk, Black Rock, New American Underground, or electrifying live music. Come prepared to party. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/restorationrocks or call 718 636 6976.

Wealth Building Tuesdays @ Restoration, September 18, 2007

8 STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY AND
LIVE RICHLY EVER AFTER

Where: Billie Holiday Theater at Restoration Plaza (1368 Fulton Street @ Marcy Avenue, Brooklyn, NY)

When: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 | 6:00-8:30pm

RSVP to (718) 636-6924 or send an email to bmcrae [at] restorationplaza.org.

Join Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation in kicking off its Fall/Winter series of "Wealth Building Tuesdays" at the Billie Holiday Theater at Bedford Stuyvesant's Restoration Plaza with a lecture and book signing by Sharon Epperson, CNBC correspondent and Personal Financial Columnist for USA Weekend. Sharon Epperson's will sign copies of her latest book "The Big Payoff" and will answer questions from attendees.

This event is sponsored by HSBC, Independence Community Foundation, JPMorganChase and the Workshop in Business Opportunities. Additional support is provided by M&T Bank, North Fork Bank and Robin Hood Foundation.