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STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY DISTRICT NEEDS
FY 2007
Community Board No. 8, located in north Crown Heights, encompasses the neighborhoods
of Crown Heights, Prospect Heights and Weeksville. The community is bounded
by Atlantic Avenue on the north, Ralph Avenue on the east, Eastern Parkway on
the south and Flatbush Avenue on the west.
The total population in North Crown Heights is 96,076. However, with new and
expanding development projects in the District, the population continues to
grow. There is an ever diversifying ethnic and racial make-up of the community
as a result of this housing growth, with a mixed ethnic make-up with estimates
of about 78% African American, 10% Hispanic, 7% Caucasian, 2% American Indian,
and 3% of mixed heritage. The housing stock consists mostly of brownstone and
limestone row houses, large and small multiple dwellings, and mixed-use buildings.
Overall, the neighborhood has a solid housing foundation, a good transportation
infrastructure, and easy access to a number of cultural facilities such as the
Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza, the Brooklyn
Children’s Museum and the Society for the Preservation of Weeksville,
all of which have recently undergone or are currently undergoing capital expansion
and/or renovation projects.
Despite the many positives within the District, there are many blaring challenges
that must be faced and overcome. Of these challenges, none is more prominent
than the high 22% poverty rate amongst residents that require consideration
and priority in the form of special needs and privileges. We are committed to
participating in the formulation of plans to address the service delivery, housing,
and infrastructure needs of our citizens, particularly those facing economic
challenges and we believe that a successful effort to target these populations
will leverage the public funds allocated by elected representatives with private
investment, as well as private and community initiatives.
The strategy detailed below will facilitate achievement of Community Board
No. 8's goals for Fiscal Year 2007 and beyond.
FIRE
It is imperative that further efforts be made to recruit and hire additional
personnel to maintain the levels of healthy members of the FDNY to provide adequate
fire and safety services to the communities within New York City. Also, expanded
efforts must continue to be made to diversify the department so that new hires
reflect the diverse racial and ethnic make-up of the City. Studies have shown
that the Explores and Cadets programs have both proven to be effective means
of garnering interest in the FDNY by the City’s diverse ethnic youth groups,
and subsequently, these programs should be continued.
The safety of our firefighters is of utmost importance. Each member of the
Fire Department must be equipped with life-saving protective gear for use in
the event of any contingency. Recent unfortunate events and preventable losses
showcase this need. Safety should come first in a department where employees
take great risks daily.
In the years directly following the fateful 9/11 attacks on America and New
York City, the city imposed major budget cuts within the Fire Department to
reduce costs as a result of large and wide-spread budget deficits. These cuts
have proved very costly in terms of the number of lives lost as well as the
monetary amount in terms of property damages lost. As the City overcomes its
budget deficits of the last few fiscal years with profound surpluses, the opportunity
to restore funding to re-open Engine Cos. 204, 209, 212, and 278, as well as
restoring the fifth crew member to each Engine company is crucial. These conditions
are essential to provide more efficient fire services for residents throughout
the City.
The elimination of the fifth firefighter on each Engine crew undoubtedly and
unnecessarily endangers the lives of all firefighters responding to a call by
thus increasing the time it takes to begin putting water on the fire. If this
additional person is reacquired, the risk of structural collapse will be lessened
by the decreased time for effective intervention. Also, a decrease in time it
takes to begin dispelling flames decreases property losses and the money needed
to recoup these losses.
Fire marshals provide an invaluable service to the community with quick investigations
of fire related incidences. They also notice and can report immediately any
trends to dispel arson fires for fraudulent or recreational purposes. They are
necessary for victims of fire damage to complete insurance claims in a timely
fashion to begin rebuilding their lives. Therefore, based upon the reasoning
above, Community Board No. 8 requests that funding for additional marshals be
provided.
Fire prevention education services are direly needed. Additional training trailers
for use at community block events can assist with serving these educational
needs. Classroom exercises are also needed to help students to become more adept
at recognizing dangerous tactics employed by their parents and relatives, thus
helping to prevent unnecessary dangers in the home.
In addition to home fire safety training, we recommend additional life-saving
training in the area of Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). In a district
where heart disease is at a high level, it is imperative that residents know
how to respond in emergency situations. Additional CPR kits are required to
train residents quicker and more effectively in this life-saving technique.
The kits also provide a more sanitary means of training and can be dispersed
to class members for practice.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors have been proven by the FDNY to save lives.
Unfortunately, many residents have not been trained in their use and have not
received these life-saving electronics, which are supposed to be provided by
landlords. We insist on expanding and continuing the smoke detector and carbon
monoxide detector distribution program so that at risk tenants can receive their
benefits.
As the Fire Department often responds to many medical situations, it is imperative
that two paramedics remain on each ambulance crew. Two paramedics and one EMT
on each crew will be able to work quicker and more effectively to stabilize
injured parties and employ life-saving techniques quicker and more adequately
than one EMT and one paramedic.
Furthermore, we encourage the Fire Department and City Council to consider
the adverse effects that dilapidated engine companies can have on Firefighters’
moral and productivity. The firehouse buildings are extremely old and require
new roofs, window replacement, and apparatus floor replacement. Also, parking
woes should not be an issue for our firefighters. It is crucial that funding
be allocated to renovate, rehabilitate, and construct parking lots for our companies,
and also to find additional parking for those stations in locations where parking
is at a minimum availability level.
POLICE
The areas within District 8 that once received additional resources through
Operation Impact have been served well by them. However, as the District office
has recently been notified by the 77th Precinct that our community is no longer
part of Operation Impact, we fear that the reduction in crime prevalent during
the three years of our participation in the program will once again plague the
community. Therefore, we request that the resources provided while we were still
an Impact Zone community continue so that our downward spiral of crime can persist.
Many of our residents have begun to show an enormous amount of pride in their
neighborhood—as evidenced by efforts to make North Crown Heights a historical
District—and productive business chains are opening stores in the area.
For the economic revitalization efforts that have been made in the District
to be ruined due to a preventable upswing in crime would be piteous.
As a densely populated community, the need for additional police presence is
great. There are a number of large apartment buildings within a small space,
thus creating the potential for tension among the diverse ethnic backgrounds
of our residents. It is a known fact that tension can cause crime to escalate
unless checked regularly and pre-empted by policing. Additional patrol officers
are required to prevent tensions from rising and thus becoming harmful to a
community on the rise.
More resources to cover the Kingsboro, Albany, and Weeksville Houses developments
and the smaller New York City Housing Authority establishments in the District
are encouraged. Whereas Albany Houses is currently equipped with closed circuit
video imaging which assists in minimizing illegal activities within the complex,
it is our firm belief that such equipment would also benefit Kingsboro Houses
as well, especially considering the high profile cases that have been in the
news recently and that the number of major incidents and resident complaints
in the facility are increasing. We sincerely believe that this addition to PSA
#2’s crime-fighting capacities will significantly reduce the number of
quality of life infractions as well as misdemeanor and felony offenses.
We urge the Police Department, the Mayor, and the City Council to provide the
77th Precinct and PSA #2 with necessary crime fighting tools such as non-descript
unmarked vehicles, most notably vans, sports utility vehicles, and passenger
cars. These vehicles will be used by the Domestic Violence division, narcotics
officers, and regular police officers as they go through their daily enforcement
routines.
ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES
Children are our most valuable and cherished commodity, and therefore, they
must be given the opportunity and encouraged to grow into responsible adults
that will lead the nation and prepare future generations to do the same. Proper
environment conducive to learning and social development must be provided if
we are to rear responsible children, adolescents, and eventually, adults. Consequentially,
the Board recommends and supports an increase in funding for Headstart programs
as this program has been proven to provide the stimulating atmosphere necessary
to instill in our youth a thirst for knowledge.
In addition to Headstart programs, there is a growing need for group and family
Daycare services in District 8. The emerging population of working parents moving
into the community, and the number of parents obtaining employment in the community
spur this need. Quality, low cost childcare is crucial to the development and
maintenance of the community’s workforce; unfortunately, the waiting list
for State regulated and approved centers is excessively long, creating difficulties
for parents with young children. Additional daycare slots for all work shifts
need to be created to accommodate this growing trend of working parent and their
need for services.
As the number of children in the foster care system rises, allowances must
be made for resources for kinship care and foster parent training and recruitment
services. Institutionalized children tend to suffer from lack of self-esteem
and deflated levels of self-worth. It is imperative that efforts to commit to
the cause of obtaining a family life for all children be provided, regardless
of the circumstances of their cases. As the number of children presently in
the foster care system greatly exceeds the number of homes available, increased
efforts must be made to provide the proper mental health care to prevent children
from further losing a sense of self-image and self-worth. Efforts must be made
to assure children that their presence is warranted despite a lack of parental
and familial influences.
HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATION
It is imperative that we protect our children’s welfare and wellbeing
from destructive forces within the community, regardless of whether it comes
from the home or local environment. Preventive and protective services for children
must be provided to our youth in order to maintain their health and security,
thus allowing them to reap the benefits of life. Therefore, the Board supports
expanded funding for existing Domestic Violence Victim and Intervention Programs.
Included in this funding should be funding for preventative services to educate
women and men on the telltale signs of abuse and how to exit a situation that
could be potentially life threatening, not only for her- or him-self, but for
children in the home as well.
Domestic abuse stemming from not only an individual’s spouse or partner,
but other family members as well has become a prevalent issue in the City. We
support the expansion of programs to include all forms of domestic altercations
from all parties within the home. As victims are oftentimes afraid to come forward,
programs should be formatted in such a way as to eliminate the victim’s
fear of reprisals by the abuser and should also be designed in such a way to
raise the victim’s sense of self-worth and awareness to prevent future
instances of abuse.
Since people are living longer lives, the elderly population is increasing
tremendously. As the population increases, so does the needs required by the
community to exist. There is a greater need for services provided to the homebound
as well as those that the homebound elderly lean on for support, as there is
a tremendous burden placed on kindhearted friends, significant others, spouses,
and other relatives who are forced to accept complete responsibility for the
care of their loved ones. Support services must be provided to these individuals
who do an invaluable service to the community.
EDUCATION
It is essential that the City maintain the condition of our students’
schools and classroom environments. Interior environments are not conducive
to learning as children are often forced to assemble in crowded and cramped
spaces with insufficient ventilation (especially in the warmer months), and
also in spaces that have not been renovated in many years. Funding must be provided
to upgrade the interior and exterior of our schools so that the dilapidation
will not cause preoccupation in our students. Moreover, the fact that many students
do not have their own workbooks and/or textbooks and are forced to share also
hinders their education. Funds need to be provided to ensure that all students
have their own workbooks to practice the skills they have learned in school.
We promote smaller class sizes for all grades as they are necessary to give
each student an equal and ample amount of individual attention and one on one
correspondence with his/her instructor. Also, smaller class sizes would alleviate
some of the strain and pressure on the instructor and allow her/him to conduct
lessons more efficiently as well as evaluate student learning more effectively.
We recommend the continuance of the Universal Pre-K program as studies have
proven that the earlier children receive educational stimulation, the less likely
they will be to fall behind in their later childhood years. The Universal Pre-K
program will allow children to be placed in an educational and to begin developing
the necessary social skills needed for active classroom participation.
Programs geared toward parental involvement must be initiated for the benefit
of new hires. It must be remembered that education is an extension of the home,
and parents must be informed how best to assist the education of their children
by reinforcing what teachers do in a classroom setting as well as increasing
parental participation. As there are numerous immigrant children in the NYC
public school system, programs need to be implemented that will assist their
parents in learning the function of school agendas and protocol. Parents must
also be informed of the importance of their role in the school system and the
value that their participation has on fostering the education of their children.
Gang violence is a growing concern in a District where a number of youth are
forced to rely on alternative activities to keep them occupied as there is a
shortage of structured activities for them to participate in. In seeking acceptance
from their peers, children often do things they would normally shy away from
if they had access to wholesome activities. Intervention and early education
is required to inform youth of the potential of joining gangs and silly behavior
that may make them a target for violence and retribution. Therefore, we urge
an expansion of the present gang intervention programs within the NYC public
school system so that outreach is provided to more youth than at the present
time.
Sex education must be continued in schools as well as the average age of beginning
sexual activity continues to lower. Recent surveys have discovered that two
of every five middle school age children have participated in some form of sexual
contact that could potential put them at risk for contracting the virus. Early
education is the best prevention method and quite possibly the most cost effective,
despite the criticism efforts to provide such instruction in schools may encounter.
Furthermore, children require a well-rounded education that includes the fundamentals
of math, language arts and reading comprehension, science, social studies, art
and music. Each area of instruction should be assimilated in the curriculum
of New York City’s schools as this would greatly enhance our students’
active desire to participate in their learning and instruction.
YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES
An estimated one-third of District 8’s residents are children under the
age of 18. However, the services provided to this segment of the population
are limited. With the exception of the over-crowded and space restricted St.
John’s Recreation Center, there are few activities available for youth
to participate in to keep them out of the path of urban risks. Structured athletic
events should be organized for the youth in the District to build discipline,
responsibility, leadership qualities, social and group skills, in addition to
self-esteem. It is essential that another recreational center be opened within
the boarders of District 8 to service our youth and non-youth residents. Also,
additional funding for programs operated by not-for profit organizations is
needed as well.
Early intervention is the key to saving the future of our District’s
youth. It is well documented and researched that inner-city children have a
higher risk for crime, dropping out of school, gang involvement, and incarceration.
We urge funding for activities that target at risk youth, especially males between
the ages of 12 and 19. Services for females between the same ages are important
as well, as this is the target age of pre-mature pregnancy, gang involvement,
and crime.
We urge the Mayor and City Council to allocate funds for after-school programs
that will reinforce what students are learning in school and provide supplemental
tutorials for struggling students. Programs are also needed that will enhance
our youth’s technical and computer skills, thus preparing them for the
technological revolution facing present-day society.
Career- and goal- oriented activities such as organized fieldtrips to business
agencies and professional offices along with classroom speakers from corporate
and local government agencies to assist the youth in planning and functioning
in the work environment should be provided. Our children should be encouraged
to obtain their High School Diploma rather than settling for a General Education
Degree (GED). However, as many of our youth have already quit school and are
struggling to find employment, GED courses for individuals ages 17 and older
should be provided as an alternative to the dim future of an uneducated individual
prompted to lead a life of crime, or have very little hope for job and financial
security.
The Summer Youth Employment Program has proven to be invaluable to our youth
in terms of the job experience, training, and responsibility given to participants
of the program. Given higher levels of responsibility, it is our firm belief
that our youth will accept their responsibilities in other aspects of their
lives and will excel. Jobs provide this, and thus help to foster, along with
participation in the arts, music, dance, theater, and sports, higher self-esteem,
positive self-motivation, and elevated levels of self-confidence. We therefore
recommend that funding be allocated for these types of activities in our District.
First generation Americans or the children of immigrants require assistance
to cope with their foreign born and aligned family members. Intergenerational
issues tend to stem from a lack of bond between cultural similarities. While
children tend to be more malleable and can adapt rather quickly to new surroundings,
older adults tend to be less accepting of new cultures and value systems from
the one(s) they are currently accustomed to. Efforts must be made to help immigrant
families bridge the potential gap between familial ties so that family unity
goes uninterrupted.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE
For those presently afflicted with the virus, HIV/AIDS healthcare services
in District 8 are severely lacking, and patients are having a difficult time
receiving the treatment they require as a result of this scarcity. Additional
funding for HIV/AIDS healthcare services is crucial.
It is strongly urged that additional programs for comprehensive substance abuse
services be provided within the community as these programs logically assist
in stemming the spread of HIV. Also, the community is being burdened by a growing
number of drugs and drug related crime as addicted individuals are forced to
find alternative means of obtaining drugs when they have no money for their
purchase. Educational services about the dangers of experimentation with drugs
are essential to ceasing the growing number of addicts while also decreasing
crime.
As an increasing number of youth experiment and subsequently become addicted
to drugs, primarily marijuana and cigarettes, substance abuse treatment and
deterrent programs must be initiated for those under the age of 21, focusing
deterrent efforts on those ages 13 to 19. Purging the desire to experiment will
eliminate the potential to create hard-core drug users.
As the number of dementia and Alzheimer’s cases grow in the community,
additional funds to maintain services for dementia and Alzheimer’s services
are required. Also, research is necessary, along with accessibility to the medication
on the market to attempt to reduce the progression of the disease among those
already diagnosed with it.
Asthma education and care programs are still needed. Conditions within the
community, i.e. construction, renovation, and building collapses, have created
harsh breathing conditions for asthma patients. Therefore, longer clinic hours
need to be initiated so that patients do not have to go to the hospital for
treatment.
Obesity continues to plague residents of our community. Children especially,
are suffering horrendous effects of being overweight. They suffer stigmatization
from their peers, low self-esteem, poor self-confidence and a slew of other
health concerns. Programs stressing proper nutrition should be provided for
families, and students should also have health and nutrition studies added to
their educational curriculum to inform them of the dangers of poor health practices.
Emphasis should be placed on education reporting the dangers of obesity such
as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and other illnesses.
With education comes prevention, and our residents need to be made aware that
they are at risk for many preventable diseases and illnesses.
There is a growing need for mental health services among children and adults
alike. These services are essential to maintaining the well-being of our citizens
regardless of age. Coping services for those dealing with bereavement issues,
depression, excessive stress, and other issues of concern.
DEPARTMENT FOR THE AGING
As a growing population, the elderly require special services and care that
should come automatically to a well-deserving and vocal class of citizens. We
need to recognize and reward the efforts and hard work of our senior population
by providing them the fundamental means of existing above the median poverty
line. As proponents of elderly care and in recognition of the special needs
of the elderly in District 8, we appeal to a course of action that will make
the aforementioned possible. More services focusing on improving the quality
of life, residential opportunities, home-care, and health-care need to be provided
by City-operated and neighborhood based agencies. The home-care emphasis will
help reduce costly institutional care and the burdens placed upon oftentimes
unwilling kin and will also provide additional freedom to relatively self-sufficient
individuals. Services should include senior centers, easily accessible and reliable
transportation, and other social and recreational activities.
Studies to determine if an increase in the maximum income levels to qualify
for government programs should be done. Values such as out of pocket health-care
costs, prescription medications, housing, transportation, and food should be
taken into consideration when determining whether one is eligible to receive
subsidies. An increased maximum income level will greatly assist a number of
District 8’s residents and well as a large population of struggling seniors
throughout the City.
The Home delivered meals program has proven to be a success. However, the program,
in order for it to continue, funds for car insurance and additional vehicles
to deliver the meals are needed. Long Term Care Resources for seniors should
be expanded as should Alzheimer’s Prevention and Treatment programs as
well.
PARKS & RECREATION
The need for safe and well-maintained parks and playgrounds are a high priority
for District 8. A regular maintenance program with adequate manpower is essential.
Currently, maintenance staff needs to be increased for our Parks, malls along
Eastern Parkway, and St. John’s Recreation Center. Additional Playground
Associates, Park Enforcement Officers, and maintenance personnel are required
to keep children at play free from harassment from dangerous elements that lurk
in unguarded areas. It has been proven that with personnel in our parks, they
are cleaner and safer for those that utilize them.
Special consideration must be paid to the playground equipment that is placed
in our recreation centers and park sites. Presently, outdated equipment, faulty
groundwork on our basketball courts, and poorly lit play areas mar our parks
and playgrounds. Funding must be provided in order to rectify these problems
and make our parks and playgrounds enjoyable to those that utilize them.
The trees in the residential areas of District 8 and also in the parks in the
area are in dire need of pruning and care, as evidenced by the many trees that
have been neglected for the past few years. The Pruning and Stump Removal Program
should be expanded and adequately funded to maintain beautification and lessen
the possibility of injury to body or property resulting from tree limbs falling.
Additionally, continued funding for the Forestry and Tree Planting Programs
is required, as there are still multiple blocks in our District that are not
ecologically sound since they either have very few trees or no trees at all.
As funding has been provided to complete the renovation of the Eastern Parkway
Malls and to renovate the St. John’s Playground, we await completion of
the projects.
SANITATION
The cleanliness of the streets and sidewalks of the District is a matter of
great concern to us. The Department must have sufficient personnel and equipment
to keep the streets clean. As our District is one of the most populous in the
City, it is mandatory that Motorized Litter Patrol and street cleaners be provided
on a daily basis to assist with street cleaning. The District is also in need
of additional permanent Sanitation Enforcement personnel and vehicles for residential
and commercial area routing.
Undercover Sanitation Police officers are required to conduct surveillance
of known dumping grounds and apprehend those responsible for the illegal dumping.
People see the vast number of vacant lots as a money saving device so that they
do not have to go through legal and costly routes to dispose of their waste
products. With undercover officers, our streets and lots will not be subject
to as much illegal dumping and other infractions as it currently is.
Funding is needed to implement programs to educate the community and foster
cleanliness amongst residents. Litter instruction, with as emphasis on the results
and dangers of littering, should be taught in schools to foster environmentally
friendly residents with a newfound respect for cleaner streets and an understanding
of why littering is bad for the environment which they live.
Many residents are not aware of the proper steps they need to take to prevent
themselves from receiving violations from Sanitation police, and also do not
know what steps they can and should take to make their neighborhoods cleaner.
Programs to educate the community are needed, which could eventually lower the
costs of cleaning the streets.
HOUSING PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT
As the Department of Housing Preservation and Development moves forward in
its efforts to rehabilitate units for affordable housing units, the results
have been a noticeable improvement in the housing stock within the District.
The implementation of these programs has greatly contributed to the quality
of life in the community as well as the economic growth and development.
Community Board #8 urges continued funding for capital improvement to city
owned properties. We also support continuance and expansion of HPD’s six
basic loan programs—home improvement, small homes private, participation
loan, owner services, article 8-A, and senior citizen housing assistant programs.
We also urge continued funding for the seal-up and demolition program.
We encourage responsible property owners to maintain their property, and investors
to bring capital for the future to enhance the quality of life of District residents.
With the number of HPD programs available to assist homeowners in doing this,
the only requirement is additional education so that they can fully know the
extent of assistance available to them. The active elimination of vacant and
abandoned housing units must be broadened. Therefore, the Board will work with
HPD to prioritize buildings for demolition or seal up in the most critical areas.
DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS
The Brooklyn Children’s Museum (BCM) is presently undergoing a major
capital renovation and expansion project. Additional funding is required to
complete the project.
We also recommend additional funding for the construction of a new education
and cultural center for the Society for the Preservation of Weeksville; this
will allow them to expand their services to children, families, and tourists.
Funding for the Brooklyn Public Library (Brower Park Branch) is also necessary
as many students utilize the Library’s resources for school projects,
term papers, and supplementary education means. Additional hours of operation
are necessary to allow students and other residents to utilize the library’s
resources.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
The lack of an adequate on-going water- and sewer-main inspection program has
created and contributed to the acute sewer and water problems in District 8.
Many of the streets are in need of reconstruction as a result of the horrendous
number of street depressions caused by sewer, trench, and water main defects.
Subsequently, it is imperative that funding be increased for trench restoration,
sewer maintenance and reconstruction in the District.
TRANSPORTATION
Roadway maintenance is of great importance to our residents. Many damaging
and costly incidents can occur with poor roadways. We request that funds be
allocated for arterial upkeep in District 8 and Citywide. Due to the heavy snowfall
amount this past winter, freeze and thaw actions have caused our roadways to
become pocked with potholes, creating nearly impassable streets. Potholes should
be filled properly and in a timely fashion, thus minimizing the damage done
to vehicles. We also urge additional funding for street reconstruction and resurfacing.
Street lights are a major deterrent to crime in the District. They illuminate
our streets and provide residents with visibility in the dark. However, there
are a number of malfunctioning street lights in the District as well as burned
out lights. Residents in the areas where these problems exist are the victims
of illegal activities on the darkened streets and have become immersed in fear.
Funding is necessary to maintain street light crews and speed up the repair
process when a malfunctioning or burned out street light is reported to DOT.
Finally, we await the installation of decorative lights on Nostrand and Franklin
Avenues. Funding for these projects were allocated in the prior fiscal year
and we are eager for completion of these projects.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Funding is important for the development of active and successful merchants
associations in the District, primarily along Bedford, Troy, Utica, Underhill,
Nostrand, and Schenectady Avenues. Funding is needed to assist the associations
in formalizing their structures for targeting larger commercial centers and
enhancing economic development by providing expense monies to facilitate development
into legal entities.
Monies need to be allocated for an in-depth study of the current state of retail
service offerings in the District 8 area to identify business sectors that offer
business opportunities or sectors that require improvement. Grants should be
provided to local organizations such as the Washington Avenue Merchants Association,
the North Crown Heights Nostrand Avenue Merchants Association, and the Crow
Hill Merchant Association to respond to their appeals for grass-roots high tech
and entrepreneurial training programs as well as technical assistance services.
These funds would greatly benefit each association to maximize the positive
impact on the community and the businesses they represent. Also, funds should
be granted to assist in the further development of the fledgling business incubators
located in the District and to lend support in preparing tenants for transition
to vacant commercial spaces.
As our District is burdened heavily by crime, many chains are hesitant to set
up practice within our confines. Many of the businesses that operate in the
community continue to do so in fear. However, coupled with additional police
resources and modern security measures, funds to improve and activate the merchants
associations in the District could greatly enhance people’s pride in their
business and could also lead to a flourishing national retail market.
Our greatest recommendations are, perhaps, that capital funds be directed toward
business development in the Crown Heights province and toward the development
of strong relationship ties with national business chains to increase the economic
input and output of residents while increasing our financial status in the economic
realm.
CONCLUSION
As the City exits its past financial straits, the necessity to restore program
funding has never been greater. There is no longer a need to cut back direly
needed or life saving services. Community Board No. 8 is committed to maintaining
and enhancing the quality of life for the residents of our community, and we
firmly uphold the notion that all services should be restored to pre-9/11 levels.
We strongly urge our elected officials to reconsider funding limitations on
many of the programs that our residents require for safety, education, and their
general well-being.
Sincerely,
Robert Matthews
Robert Matthews, Chairperson
Doris A. Alexander
Doris A. Alexander, District Manager
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