BEDC WORKING WITH NOSTRAND AVENUE MERCHANTS TO ENHANCE OPPORTUNITIES ON COMMERCIAL STRIP

James Sanford, director of Community Development at BEDC and project manager for the Nostrand Avenue Commercial Revitalization Initiative.

BROOKLYN, NY, April 8, 2005—Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) and the Nostrand Avenue Merchants Association are kicking off a commercial revitalization initiative this month as part of an effort to enhance business opportunities for retailers and improve storefronts on Nostrand Avenue between Fenimore Street and Lenox Road, James Sanford, director of Community Development at BEDC, has announced.

“We have a unique opportunity on these five blocks of Nostrand Avenue,” said Mr. Sanford, who is serving as project manager for the Nostrand Avenue Commercial Revitalization Initiative. “This section of Nostrand Avenue is located next to SUNY Downstate Medical Center, the newly constructed SUNY Downstate Advanced Biotechnology Center, and Kings County Hospital, which is undergoing a major redevelopment. Together, the facilities employ more than 6,000 people who are potential customers for businesses along Nostrand Avenue.”

Mr. Sanford also noted that new residential development is planned for the area, where 19,000 residents currently live in an eight-block area and over 50,000 residents live within a half mile radius. In addition, a new school has opened and active churches are located nearby.

“The goal of the project is to increase business activity and attract shoppers to the area,” said Benfield Munroe, executive director of the Nostrand Avenue Merchants Association, which represents businesses from Eastern Parkway to Linden Boulevard. “I hope the new initiative will act as a catalyst for implementing a Business Improvement District along Nostrand Avenue.”

“The revitalization of Nostrand Avenue is a long time in coming,” said Council Woman Yvette Clarke at a recent meeting of the Nostrand Avenue Merchants Association. “This is a beautiful avenue and the possibilities are endless. I would like to see the strip become the gateway to this area.”

As part of the Nostrand Avenue Commercial Revitalization Initiative, focus groups will be held in April with merchants, residents, property owners, and employees who work in the area, and online surveys will be distributed to a broader section of local employees. The goal is to assess the quality of goods and services offered on Nostrand Avenue and what improvements, if any, are needed to enhance the quality of life and stimulate trade for vendors and businesses.

In the weeks ahead, representatives of BEDC and the Nostrand Avenue Merchants Association will begin stopping residents and consumers who shop along Nostrand Avenue and asking them to fill out short surveys in order to gather additional information about local spending habits along the commercial strip, what services are used, and the types of stores or businesses shoppers would like to see on Nostrand Avenue.

BEDC and the Nostrand Avenue Merchants Association also have scheduled a workshop for merchants and property owners about how they can apply for storefront and commercial improvement grant funds. The New York City Department of Small Business Services has increased grants for storefront improvements on this area of Nostrand Avenue to $3,500, and streamlined the process for filing applications.

The Nostrand Avenue Commercial Revitalization Initiative is a pilot program funded by a grant from the Department of Small Business Services and, after the pilot is completed, the revitalization initiative will be extended to more blocks on Nostrand Avenue in the future.

In a separate initiative, Nostrand Avenue will enjoy streetscape beautification in the coming months, including new trees and lampposts that will be placed on the avenue between Empire and Linden Boulevards.

More information about the Nostrand Avenue Commercial Revitalization Initiative is available from Mr. Sanford at BEDC, at 718-522-4600, ext. 30.

BEDC, a private, nonprofit organization, was established in 1979 to stimulate Brooklyn’s economy and create job opportunities for the borough and its residents. BEDC has evolved into a multi-service, business-consulting agency, serving more than 1,000 clients annually and offering comprehensive economic development services. More information is available at www.bedc.org.