North Flatbush Avenue Avenue 2009 Annual Meeting recap

Councilwoman Letitia James and Regina Cahill, President of the BID

The 23rd Annual Meeting of the North Flatbush Avenue Avenue BID took place on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 6:00pm at Oceans 8 Sports Bar and Grill, located at 308 Flatbush Avenue. 

Joining together for the  evening were elected officials, residents from the district, property owners, business owners and BID staff and board members who  came to view the presentation of the BID’s new streetscape design plan, to meet and greet, and discuss neighborhood topics.  

Regina Cahill, President of the BID took helm to give updates on planned initiatives and to inform  the crowd  of the BID’s initiatives for 2009-2010. On the agenda was the exclusive presentation of the BID’s new conceptual design for Flatbush Avenue including the Triangle Parks along the avenue.   Regina stated that in July 2008 the BID held a Community Forum in coordination with Project for Public Spaces. The BID, from a grant from Avenue NYC Program, hired architecture firm “W” Architecture and Landscape LLC to incorporate these ideas into a new design for the district.  Barbara Wilks, founder of  W, was at the meeting to present the new designs in a 40 minute slideshow presentation. 

Andrew Steininger lets the crowd know that Marty Markowitz gives BID $200K for new design

Regina also introduced Sharon Davidson to the crowd as the BID’s  new Executive Director .  Most in attendance knew Sharon as she had previously been the Vice President on the Board of Directors of the BID.  Sharon has brought the BID into the 21 Century with a new working website (www.nfbid.com)  and she is currently working to promote the avenue through new initiatives, promotions, media and press releases along w ith the continuation of the BID’s  very successful children’s programming, the Great Pumpkin Give a Way, Childrens Earth Day Event   and the Annual Holiday Silent Auction as well as new marketing and promotion for our Sponsor a Banner Program.   Regina went on to thank Greg Yerman, owner of Burrito Bar and Kitchen for sponsoring our new set of decorative banners that adourn our avenue from Plaza Street to Atlantic Avenue which  depict his restaurants logo.  Regina also reminded everyone, especially our merchants, about our new Sponsor a  Banner Program. The launch of the BID’s new program will allow our merchants to advertise their business in  our district at affordable prices. Advertising on the banners is one ofthe most effective means of promoting our merchants and a great way for the small business in our district to get noticed.     Regina then  gave a big thank you to Carol Crawford, Nathan Pearson, Shanda Oliver, and Lyndelle Pitman  for their dedication and contribution with the BID’s YAIP Internship Program of the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, a contract the BID held for 2 years. 

Andrew Steininger, Capital Budget and Policy Specialist from Borough President Marty Markowitz office,  took over the mike  from Regina and spoke to the crowd.  Andrew let the crowd know that Marty Markowitz was happy to have been able to award the BID with $200K for the BID’s new streetscape design plan .  He mentioned that Marty asked  that the  BID  “Spend it”, “Spend it”, “Spend It!” 

Councilwoman Letitia James then spoke about the Park Slope/Prospect Heights  neighborhood that she was born and raised in.  “Oceans 8 Sports Bar and Grill reminds me of  my  first date”, Councilwoman James said….. we weren’t sure if this was a good sign or bad, but Councilwoman James had a grand smile on her face as she talked about how  the North Flatbush Avenue Avenue district is   going to be the glue that brings all the neighborhoods together.  “Once the streetscape design is complete”, she said, “this will be the connection we need to bring us all together to talk about how much we love brownstone Brooklyn”. 

Veronica Aveis, representative from congresswoman Yvette Clarke's office spoke about our new Design for Flatbush Avenue

Next up at the mike, was Veronica Aveis, office of US Representative,  Hon.Yvette D. Clarke, Brooklyn District Office,  who spoke out in support of our new streetscape designs.  Veronica said that Congresswoman Yvette Clarke is happy to support the BID and all its initiatives for the community. 

After the presentation,  the hungry crowd set out at the buffet table where Oceans 8 owner, Jack Putlyk and manager, Frank Violante, Sr. , provided everyone with enough food to please a large stadium.  Chicken with vegetables, Sausage and peppers, pasta, chicken wings, macaroni and cheese, organic salads, crab cakes,  and passed around Hors doeuvre’s were served.  There was an open bar where everyone enjoyed some libations.

 The BID would like to give a special thank you to the staff of Oceans 8 Sports Bar and Grill who worked so hard to provide us with special and courteous service, all with a smile.  And a big thank you to Frankie Violante, Jr. who provided us with much needed help with the event, we wouldn’t have been able to do this event without him.

Frankie Violante, Jr with the terrific staff of Oceans 8

  And to all the volunteers, once again, the BID wishes to thank you all very much for your dedication in helping out your community.  We are grateful to all. A great big thank you to Stefano Giovannini, our wonderful photographer, who took all the terrific photographs  you see on our website.    If you are interested in hiring Stefano for any event, he  can be reached at   Stefano_giovannini@yahoo.com

To view photos of the presentation of the new streetscape design plan for Flatbush Avenue, visit our website at www.nfbid.com.