Sanitation

In September 2009, the Bed Stuy Gateway BID entered into contract with Atlantic Maintenance to manage the daily street cleaning operations.  A Brooklyn-based firm, Atlantic Maintenance specializes in the cleaning and general maintenance of outdoor areas. The Gateway’s sanitation team swept their way into the heart of the District on October 1, 2009 and the results were immediate.  In the first month, they collected 14,000 bags of litter from the sidewalks, removed more than 30 instances of graffiti and painted all of the street fixtures. 

The team works seven days a week, regardless of the weather, to make sure the District remains spotless. Thanks to a partnership with Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation’s Workforce Development Division, the entire team is from Bed-Stuy.

Public Safety

In November 2009, the Gateway hired Anthony Saunders as the District’s Public Safety and Environment and Control Officer (PSECO).  As a 20-year veteran of the New York Police Department, Tony is valuable to the BID’s efforts to make this a crime-free District. 

In the first six months, the Gateway successfully removed conditions from the physical landscape that threatened the health, safety and general welfare of businesses, residents, and visitors.  The BID is currently partnering with local law enforcement, the Brooklyn District Attorney, the Mayor’s Office, community stakeholders, and national experts to finalize a public safety plan that focuses on a grassroots approach to community safety.

Marketing

The BID is responsible for expending the collected assessment within the district for a range of services and /or programs, including marketing, sanitation, and public safety enhancements.

BID Marketing goals:

1. Retain, expand, and attract businesses and investments to Bedford Stuyvesant (BID boundaries).
2. Draw prospective customers to the district by improving the attractiveness of the area and promoting it as a great place to live, shop, visit, and do business. 
3. Establish Fulton Street as a premier commercial destination within central Brooklyn. 
4. Reduce vacancies by marketing to potential tenants. 
5. Increase consumer foot traffic and sales for BID businesses via coordinated advertising campaigns, website, coupon books, newspaper articles and holiday lighting.
6. Sponsor/co-sponsor street festivals and district specific activities/events that attract potential customers to the district.