Our History

The Church Avenue BID covers thirteen blocks along Church Avenue from Flatbush Avenue to Coney Island Avenue and contains approximately 150 merchants. The BID is located in the heart of Flatbush, a vibrant multi-cultural neighborhood in central Brooklyn. The BID has been in operation since 1984 and is affiliated with CAMBA, a non-profit economic development organization and social services provider.

The Church Avenue BID provides supplemental services to the merchants and property owners within the district. These services include: sanitation, marketing, business development, streetscape improvement, and advocacy. Additionally, the BID gives merchants and owners an opportunity to be active in their community and take responsibility for making Church Avenue a better place to shop and do business.

Our Staff

Lauren Elvers Collins, Executive Director
Lauren leads the organization's marketing, supplemental sanitation, business development, government and community affairs, and advocacy efforts. Her goals are to continue to improve the cleanliness, safety, and appearance of the district and attract an ever-increasing number of visitors to take advantage of the varied goods and services the BID's merchants have to offer. Lauren was formerly the Executive Director of the Gowanus Canal Conservancy and co-founded the Windsor Terrace Alliance. She serves on Community Board 7 and Prospect Park Alliance's Community Committee. Lauren earned her undergraduate degree from the CUNY BA Program, her J.D. from Fordham University School of Law, and completed Coro NY's 2011 Neighborhood Leadership Program. She was born and raised in NYC and lives in nearby Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn.

Melissa Skolnick, Program Coordinator
Melissa joined the BID in August 2011 to assist in implementing the organization's Restore Church Avenue and Uncover Church Avenue programs. Restore Church Avenue, funded by the New York Main Street program, provides property and business owners along a portion of Church Avenue with matching funds for facade and storefront improvement projects. Uncover Church Avenue brings together local artists, children, and merchants in a public art competition to highlight the talent and character of Church Avenue. She oversees the day to day operation of both grants. Melissa is involved with a variety of community based projects, including Friends of Loew's and the Greene Hill Food Co-op. She holds an B.A. in Art History from Connecticut College, an M.S. in Historic Preservation from Pratt Insitute, and is a resident of Brooklyn.

Benjamin Fink, Intern
Benjamin is currently pursuing a masters degree in Urban Planning at Hunter College with a concentration in Economic Development. he graduated cum laude from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. Before working towards his masters, Benjamin served as Research Analyst and Operations Coordinator at Ukeles Associates, Inc., a small consulting firm in the city. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa and moved to Baltimore, Maryland while in Junior High.

Board of Directors

Class A: Property Owner

Somaya Elal
Beverly Hills Bridal and Tuxedo

George Glean
Children's Corner

Leon Mann
Bobby's Department Store

Jack Mann
Bobby's Department Store

Casey Martinez
United American Land

Daniel Ramm
Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Flatbush

Fabiola Santos-Gaerlan
Honeydew Drop Playhouse

Shirley Walker
Great Hair Spectations

Class B: Commercial Tenant

Handel Edwards
HJ Edwards & Associates

Fran St. Fort
In Between Eatery & Pastry

Class C: Resident

Claudette Murray
Miracles Can Happen

Class D: Government Officials

Mayor Michael Bloomberg (represented by Mahadya Mary)
Department of Small Business Services (Robert Walsh, Commissioner)

Dr. Mathieu Eugene (represented by Heather Hart)
NYC Council Member
40th Council District

Marty Markowitz (represented by Sophia Jones)
Brooklyn Borough President

John Liu (represented by Jennifer James)
NYC Comptroller’s Office

Class E: Non-Voting

Shawn Campbell
District Manager
Community Board #14

Our Funders

The Church Avenue BID is funded through an additional real estate tax assessment within the district. This additional assessment can either be paid directly by the property owner or passed on to the commercial tenant.

The BID also receives funding through grants from the following funders. back to top

Con Edison

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz
State Senator Eric Adams
Councilmember Mathieu Eugene
Astoria Federal Savings Bank
Brooklyn Arts Council

Annual Report/Financial Statement

Click here for the 2010-2011 Annual Report.

Click here for the 2010-2011 Audited Financial statements.

Internships/Volunteer Opportunities

No open positions at this time. Check back soon!