From Roti to Rhubarb:  The Food of Church Avenue

From Roti to Rhubarb is a program highlighting the food and restaurants of Church Avenue and enhancing the online presence of BID businesses. The program includes two food events in which Church Avenue's cooks lead local volunteers in creating a special dishes for 75-100 people at the Flatbush Reformed Church's soup kitchen, using ingredients donated by Church Avenue stores. The BID also created a free food directory (including recipes, a map and business directory, and entertaining tips) and is organizing a special food-related event which will be held at the BID's April 21, 2013 Church Avenue Street Fair.

In addition, the BID created a Facebook page to post sales and specials and is making a major push to increase BID merchants' online presence.

From Roti to Rhubarb is funded by AvenueNYC, a program of the NYC's Department of Small Buisness Services, with additional support from am thai, Church Fruit Farm, C-Town, Downtown Natural Market, El Acuario, Fiesta Market, Flatbush Reformed Church, Meat Palace Supreme, Ollie & The Egg, Shayna's, and Wheated.

If you have any questions, email MelissaSk@churchavenue.org  or call (718) 282 - 2500, x63237.  

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Restore Church Avenue

If you missed the Information Session on Tuesday November 9th, 2010, click here for a copy of the presentation. 

The Restore Church Avenue program is making grant dollars available to business and property owners on Church Avenue, between East 16th and Ocean Avenue, who wish to make improvements to their commercial properties and businesses.  The Restore Church Avenue program may be used to make improvements to a building’s façade, a business’ storefront or interior commercial space.  Property and business owners within the program area may apply for up to $50,000 of assistance from the Restore Church Avenue program to make qualifying improvements.   

Projects such as façade restoration, installation of new signage or awnings or the installation of exterior lighting may be eligible for the program.  Projects funded by the program must follow the BID’s design guidelines that help create a uniform storefront appearance on Church Avenue and maintain the historic character of the Avenue.  The amount of assistance provided is determined on a case by case basis and the Restore Church Avenue program may only fund a maximum of 75% of a project’s total cost.  

The Restore Church Avenue Program is funded through the New York State’s office of Homes and Community Renewal’s New York Main Street Program.  Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and can be submitted for review to the BID office at anytime.  Projects that have not been approved by the BID before construction starts are not eligible for the Restore Church Avenue program. 

Below are links to the Restore Church Avenue Program Documents, please review and complete a project application if you would like to seek funding for a project.  If you have any questions, e-mail MelissaSk@churchavenue.org or call (718) 282-2500 x63237.  

Program Documents:

Program Overview and Process

Project Application

Design and Selection Guidelines 

Detailed Project Scope

application_checklist

Historic Tax Photograph Order Form (photos can also be ordered online by clicking here) 

Exhibit F: Release Form

Recommended Contractor & Vendor List

New York City's Facade Guide to Storefront Design (Part 1)

New York City's Facade Guide to Storefront Design (Part 2)

New York State Main Street Program 2010 Guidelines (published by the Office of Homes & Community Renewal) 

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Real Estate Reports

The BID publishes a real estate report periodically to inform property owners, potential business owners, those in the real estate industry, and other interested parties about real estate trends and available property within the Church Avenue BID.    

2013 Real Estate Reports:

      Church Ave. Vacancy Report Feb. 2013

2011 Real Estate Reports: 

     2011 2nd Quarter Real Estate Report, Supp.

     2011 1st Quarter Real Estate Report (rev. 5/23)

We're excited to release the BID's first Church Avenue Real Estate Profile.  The profile highlights all the benefits of opening your business on Church Avenue:  healthy foot traffic, access to public transportation, current investments to improve the area, and all the free services the BID offers to all its merchants and property owners.

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Supplemental Sanitation

Sidewalk Cleaning (The BID Clean Team)

The BID provides sidewalk cleaning services seven days a week from 9am to 4pm.  The Clean Team keeps the district clean and free of litter.

Trainees from the Doe Fund’s Ready Willing and Able program sweep the sidewalks, empty wastebaskets, bag loose garbage, and remove posters and graffiti seven days a week on Church Avenue. The Doe Fund's service on Church Avenue is provided with support from Council Member Mathieu Eugene.  

Graffiti Removal

In order to prevent the build-up of graffiti, the BID partners with the NYPD 70th Precinct, Borough President Marty Markowitz, and local community groups to coordinate the removal of graffiti from buildings and street furniture in the district.  Several times a year, a graffiti-removal task force comes together to remove graffiti and repaint surfaces.

Do you have graffiti on your storefront?  Click here to find out how to get rid of it!   

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Marketing

Sidewalk Sales

Several weekends a year, the BID sponsors sidewalk sales enabling retailers to place merchandise in front of their stores.  These sales allow retailers to bring their merchandise directly to the shopper, increasing their visibility in the district and giving them an opportunity to attract new customers.

Banners/decorations

The BID installs streetlight banners featuring the Church Avenue logo and holiday lighting to give Church Avenue a unique identity.  The banners are sponsored by local merchants, and provide a long-term source of advertising.

Newsletter

The Church Bell, a newsletter for the BID community, is published quarterly to promote BID services and programming.  It includes articles on subjects of interest to merchants and property owners within the BID, as well as information on upcoming events.  Click here to see past editions of the Church Bell.   

Calendar

The BID finances, produces, and distributes an annual calendar.  The 32-page color calendar features photographs of stores and attractions within the district, a directory of merchants in the BID, as well as advertisements from participating merchants.  Each participating merchant receives a number of calendars to distribute to their customers.

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Business Development

The BID is a resource for merchants who want to improve, expand, or reposition their businesses.  The BID hosts quarterly breakfasts where merchants have a chance to network, discuss issues facing their business, and hear from city agencies on initiatives or programs which could effect their business.  The BID also makes referrals to city agencies such as NYC’s Dept. of Small Business Services and other local not-for-profit organizations.

The BID has been affiliated with CAMBA since it was created in 1983.  Our merchants are invited to attend the large offering of small business development workshops presented by CAMBA Small Business Services program.  Click here to see a calendar of upcoming events being held by CAMBA Small Business Services.  

Small Business Assistance & Financing Resources

Accion
Brooklyn Business Library
Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation
Business Outreach Center Network, Inc.
CAMBA Small Business Services 
New York Business Development Corporation
NYC Business Solutions
NYC Department of Small Business Services
NYC Financial Network Action Consortium
New York State Small Business Information
New York Workforce One Centers
Project Enterprise
Small Business Resource Center at the New York Public Library
United States Small Business Administration
Women's Venture Fund

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Advocacy

From cracked sidewalks to major capital improvements, the BID works with stakeholders and governmental agencies regarding repairs and improvements that will make Church Avenue an even better place to shop.  Additionally, if a BID merchant or property owner is having an issue that requires government action, the BID manager can reach out to the appropriate agency until the issue is resolved.  The BID maintains contact with all of its elected officials and with representatives of several state and city agencies.  If you have a problem that requires city involvement, click here to find out how the BID can help. 

Council Member Mathieu Eugene secured $800,000 for the installation of historic streetlights throughout the district on behalf of the BID.  The antique street lighting system is scheduled for installation in the Spring of 2011. 

In 2010, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz committed $1.5 million for the BID to make streetscape improvements within the BID.  The BID is currently speaking with several City agencies on potential projects.   

The BID is recently completed a transportation study, in order to increase the quantity of street parking and facilitate commercial deliveries, as well as a market study and is working on a commercial needs assessment.

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