Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(Brooklyn, NY Aug. 21, 2001) - On Tuesday August 21st Borough President Golden announced a $525,000 capital budget item to fund historic street lights along Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. The lighting improvement will enhance the commercial revitalization efforts of the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project LDC (MARP); this funding marks the first capital budget item for the organization.

Borough President Golden said, "I have provided funding for street lighting initiatives along several of Brooklyn's commercial corridors. Part of any successful street revitalization initiative involves making an area aesthetically pleasing to existing and prospective shoppers. These funds will continue the excellent work of the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project LDC in assisting the avenue's merchants."

Since Myrtle Avenue is one of the main thoroughfares to Pratt Institute, Pratt President Thomas Schutte has taken the lead for revitalizing the Avenue. He has deployed the Institute's expertise in urban planning and design for this initiative. MARP Executive Director Jennifer Gerend said, "This allocation from the Borough President will allow us to continue our mission of restoring the prominence of the 'Main Street' of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. Historic street lights will help visually tie together the different segments of the Avenue and create a more inviting neighborhood shopping environment. The merchants are very excited."

Historic street lights have significantly added to the aesthetics of other commercial strips in Brooklyn, such as Smith Street in Carroll Gardens and Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint.

MARP's programming to date has emphasized helping the local "mom n' pop" businesses to better serve the community. Examples of MARP's work include professionally maintaining a graffiti-free Avenue, publishing a local merchant directory, providing design and monetary assistance with new awnings and façade improvements, producing a monthly newsletter, organizing workshops on business topics, implementing a tree-planting program, and making technical assistance referrals. Local higher education institutions such as Pratt Institute, Long Island University, and Saint Joseph's College are all actively involved in the improvement of Myrtle Avenue.

The revitalization's progress has attracted many funding partners to the organization, such as the New York City Department of Business Services, JP Morgan Chase, Deutsche Bank, Keyspan Energy, Councilwoman Mary Pinkett, Independence Community Foundation, Park Avenue Building & Roofing Supply, Citibank, Emigrant Bank, HSBC, Fleet Bank, Pfizer, The Dime Foundation, Con Edison, and NYS Assemblyman Joseph Lentol.

Contact:
Mike Armstrong
(718) 802-3830
at the Borough President's Office
or
Jennifer Gerend
(718) 875-8297
at the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project LDC