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.