SBS Announces Creation, Expansion of City Business Improvement Districts - SBS

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2024

SBS ANNOUNCES CREATION, EXPANSION OF CITY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS

SBS Celebrates City's Newest BID in Cypress Hills, Expansion of Long Island City BID

NEW YORK – Today, the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) announced the formation of the Cypress Hills Fulton Business Improvement District (BID) along Fulton Street in Brooklyn and the expansion of the Long Island City Business Improvement District. With the creation of the Cypress Hills Fulton BID, New York City now boasts a robust network of 76 BIDs, with three formed during the Adams administration. The package of legislation creating the Cypress Hills Fulton BID also provided for the expansion of the Long Island City (LIC) BID, which will now cover 25 miles of streetscape in one of New York City's fastest-growing neighborhoods. The total street frontage covered by the city's network of BIDs exceeds 300 miles, making it the country's most extensive program of business improvement districts and commercial corridor revitalization.

"New York City's BIDs build thriving communities where people can connect and celebrate all that our neighborhoods have to offer," said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. "With the creation of the Cypress Hills Fulton BID and the expansion of the Long Island City BID, we're deepening our investment in the lifeblood of our city — our small businesses. Since the start of our administration, we've invested over $35 million in BIDs and neighborhood development. These new and expanded BIDs reflect our dedication to a stronger, more resilient New York. With each step forward, we're ensuring every New Yorker can live and work in a city that's cleaner and full of opportunity."

"It takes toughness to run a small business in NYC, but that doesn't mean proprietors have to go at it alone. Loyal customers, expert non-profits and dedicated government agencies all contribute to creating environments where neighborhood businesses can thrive," said SBS Commissioner Dynishal Gross. "In doing so, we enhance the local economy and create opportunities for New Yorkers to mix, be known and establish connections that make our metropolis a beautiful web of small communities. Congratulations to the steering committee of the Cypress Hills Fulton BID and the Cypress Hills LDC for bringing an entity to uplift their community into being. And thank you to the board and staff of the LIC BID for the years of visionary stewardship that have emboldened them to tackle even more. This is partnership unparalleled!"

Since the start of the Adams administration, SBS has awarded more than $35 million in grants to BIDs and other community development organizations, directly contributing to the growth, livability, and revitalization of neighborhoods in all five boroughs. Both the creation of the Cypress Hills Fulton BID and expansion of the Long Island City BID will bring vital improvements to their respective commercial corridors, including enhanced street cleaning, beautification projects, wayfinding, and marketing.

The establishment of the Cypress Hills BID is the culmination of nearly a decade of partnership between the BID's steering committee, SBS and the Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation (CHLDC), a collaboration that began in 2016 with a year-long Commercial District Needs Assessment (CDNA) through SBS's first ever Neighborhood 360° program. This comprehensive, community-driven study identified key opportunities for economic growth and outlined a set of recommendations that included:

Launching new street cleaning and beautification initiatives;

Developing marketing campaigns and events to showcase local restaurants, cultural landmarks, and arts;

Activating underutilized public spaces through placemaking projects; and

Organizing local merchants to advocate for business needs and access support services.

Following the CDNA, SBS invested $1.3 million between FY17 and FY22 to support the revitalization of Cypress Hills and East New York. These investments enabled CHLDC to execute a variety of projects, from beautification efforts to placemaking events, while fostering stronger relationships between local merchants, property owners, and residents. In FY24, SBS further supported these efforts with an additional $100,000 grant for the installation of new commercial district lighting on Fulton Street.

"The formation of the Cypress Hills Fulton BID and the expansion of the LIC BID mark exciting new chapters for both communities," said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez. "These developments will help bolster our local economies, support small businesses, and foster safer, more vibrant neighborhoods for residents and visitors alike. I am proud to celebrate these milestones with the Cypress Hills and Long Island City communities, and I look forward to seeing the positive impacts these BIDs will have."

"The new Cypress Hills Fulton Business Improvement District represents the incredible promise of Cypress Hills and East New York's economic future," said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. "This victory is the result of years of extensive organizing among local leaders, businesses, the Cypress Hills LDC, SBS, and Council Member Sandy Nurse. This BID will deliver resources that the community has long deserved, including more vibrant streetscapes, public safety improvements, and critical support services for Cypress Hills business owners. I am so optimistic about what's to come in Cypress Hills and grateful to SBS for their commitment to realizing this community's vision."

"After four years of dedicated grassroots organizing, the Cypress Hills Fulton Business Improvement District is here — and it is a testament to what can happen when there is a dedicated effort to deliver for our local merchants and business owners," said New York City Council Member Sandy Nurse. "I am excited to see how our vital Cypress Hills commercial corridor along Fulton Street will be transformed through investments that ensure our vendors can not only continue doing business, but truly thrive. This is an incredible addition not just to our district, but to the entire network of BIDs across New York City."

"Long Island City has grown five times faster in population and two times faster in jobs as compared to New York's average growth," said New York City Council Member Julie Won. "The Long Island City Partnership BID expansion will cover 25 miles of streetscape, ensuring that they are meeting the needs of this rapid growth. This expansion will bring important services to our neighbors and businesses in my district, including additional sanitation services, community support and outreach, beautification efforts, and advocacy."

"Cypress Hills LDC is inspired to see the emergence of dedicated merchant leadership on the Cypress Hills Fulton corridor," said Lowell Herschberger, Director of Career and Education Programs, Cypress Hills LDC. "The BID Steering Committee met consistently for over four years and led countless service projects to engage the rest of the community in their vision for a safer, cleaner, brighter Fulton Street. In an effort to support the hard-working mom and pop businesses who have called this strip home for many years, the vision is explicit about retaining the affordability and diversity of the neighborhood. We congratulate the Fulton merchants on this extraordinary milestone."

"We are thrilled to bring supplemental BID services to additional blocks throughout Long Island City," said Laura Rothrock, President, LIC Partnership. "The major expansion of the BID boundaries reflects the growing nature of LIC and increased foot traffic that the neighborhood continues to experience. This expansion comes after more than three years of intense planning and outreach, responding to the needs of the LIC community."

About Neighborhood 360°
SBS's Neighborhood 360° program identifies, develops, and launches commercial revitalization projects in partnership with local stakeholders. Through proactive planning and targeted investments, Neighborhood 360° supports projects that strengthen and revitalize the streets, small businesses, and community-based organizations that anchor New York City neighborhoods. For more information on Neighborhood 360°, please visit nyc.gov/neighborhood360.

About the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS)
SBS helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building vibrant neighborhoods across the five boroughs. For more information on all SBS services, go to nyc.gov/sbs, call 888-SBS-4NYC, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.