Events and Community Involvement

UNIVERSE CITY X CORNELL - FINAL REVIEW
december 2, 2022

EBBID collective, Universe City, showcased their unique approach to combining art and social engagement during their end-of-semester review design salon with Cornell AAP students. Hosted at their space on Glenmore Avenue, the organization invited the community in to review projects ranging from sustainable farming products to urban design and neighborhood-based clothing distribution. Bill Wilkins served as a guest critic.

1510 Broadway Groundbreaking
november 2, 2022

The Local Development Corporation East New York in conjunction with their for profit partner McQuesten, held a groundbreaking at 1510 Broadway on November 2, 2022. The project will produce 108 units of affordable housing, 10,000 SF of commercial space, and 4,500 SF of an outdoor green space for residents and visitors to enjoy. In attendance was: Bill Wilkins (LDCENY),Rella Fogliano and Joe Apicella (McQuesten), Brendan McBride (Associate Commissioner HPD), Erin Buchanan (Deputy Director of Land Use HPD), Latrice Walker (Assembly Member), Genese Morgan (Chair of CPB 16). Also in attendance was numerous companies from the EBBID including but not limited to: Filco Carting, Eastern Steel, Green Gage NYC, Solco Plumbing. The event was catered locally by Fusion East.

meet the developer
October 6, 2022

The Local Development Corporation East New York, East Brooklyn Business Improvement District, and the Business Outreach Center co hosted, 'Meet The Developer" on October 6, 2022, at the Cypress Hills Senior Center. The purpose of MTD, is for area businesses in the buildings trade to meet with developers and secure contracts from development activity taking place in East New York

This MTD, featured the Lesser Group developing 2440 Fulton Street (350,000 SF of Commercial Space) and the McQuesten developing 108 units of affordable housing (1510 Broadway). The event was attended by over 25 Local Businesses Enterprises (LBE) and Minority Woman Business Enterprises (MWBE).

UNIVERSE CITY x CORNELL
OCTOBER 3, 2022

EBBID residents, Universe City, presented the emerging fruits of their collaboration with Cornell AAP for the Fall 2022 semester. Cornell graduate students interviewed the members of the arts and activism collective about their personal histories and neighborhoods reflections. Together, they are creating an audiovisual narrative reimagining the East Brooklyn community.

exotic car show
August 26, 2022

On August 26,2022 the EBBID and LDCENY cohosted a Classic and Exotic Car Show at Caro Cafe. This was part of a month long marketing campaign, “Regenerate The Soul”, “East NY Eats”, to promote the rich cuisine found in East New York. This program was developed in association with: Councilwoman Sandy Nurse, EBBID, LDCENY, Cypress Hills LDC, and Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

Those in attendance and featured below:
Bill Wilkins, Raquel Olivares, Shan Jayakuma, Jason Jeter, NYS Senator Julia Salazar, Sandy Nurse, Daryl Hollon, Joel Oporta and Randy Peers

National Night Out
August 2, 2022

Once again the EBBID was a proud sponsor of the 75th Precinct's National Night Out, and this year it was held at Robert Venable Park. The community enjoyed great food, music, dancing and basketball. Also, in attendance was the Honorable Eric Adams, Assemblywomen Nikki Lucas and Latrice Walker and a great number of community stakeholders.

cuny studio
may 17, 2022

EBBID District Manager, Bill Wilkins, participated as a guest critic in the final review of the City College, CUNY, Urban Design Studio on the future of public housing. Students in the graduate program at the Spitzer School of Architecture presented innovative ideas to deal with the challenges of climate change, better utilize available land and capitalize air rights to fund housing solutions for New Yorkers.

NeON Clean Team
october 9, 2021 &
february 6, 2022

October 9, 2021 and February 6, 2022 dates, the EBBID partnered with NeON for six weeks to clean the park on six Saturdays and Sundays in the fall of 2021 and winter of 2022. Our partnership combined effort resulted in the collection of over 1400 bags of garbage in 18 blocks.

MICHA MUSICA IN TRANSIT
FEbruary 22, 2020

As part of our ongoing collaboration with the Public Theater to bring diverse cultural performances to East New York, the EBBID was proud to co-host, with the North Brooklyn YMCA, an afternoon concert by Michelle J. Rodriguez, a.k.a. MICHA Musica. She was joined by her cohort, Miriam Elhajli (guitar, vocals) and Reza Salazar (percussion).

Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

URBAN ART FAIR AT LEGION LIGHTING
FEBRUARY 8, 2020

Legion Lighting celebrated urban art forms with a graffiti battle and art show at their EBBID factory. Participants were treated to food, music and live graffiti demonstrations by many generations of artists practicing their craft.

Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

BEfore business breakfast & holiday annual meeting
december 5, 2019

The 2019 EBBID Before Business Breakfast and Holiday Annual Meeting was co sponsored by Bank of America. The event was held at Lindenwood Diner on December 5, 2019. Presenters included: Bank of America, Con Edison, So Five, Noble Signs and Universe City.

Vital brooklyn
December, 2019

Band plays after restoration of the playground in the 55 AD

Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

TAKING THE MEASURE OF EAST NEW YORK
NOVEMBER 2, 2019

A dedicated audience of arts lovers welcomed the Public Theater Mobile Unit’s Fall production of Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure.” Featuring an all-woman cast, the play examines the nature of justice versus mercy in our society. The EBBID was thrilled to help support this fourth season of cultural programming in East New York at the North Brooklyn YMCA.

Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

National Manufacturing Day Friday
October 4, 2019

The EBBID organized its annual celebration of local manufacturers and toured area businesses with students from Trey Whitfield School. This year, we were graciously hosted by Legion Lighting and Watermark Designs, a manufacturer of luxury bath fixtures. Note: the pictures below show Jack Abel Vice President of Watermark explaining to students how faucets are created form design to pressure testing. The students came away with more insights on their neighborhood, a broader sense of career possibilities in industry and engineering, and inspiration for their own creative entrepreneurship.

Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

TREY WHITFIELD FOUNDATION GALA
JULY 12, 2019

The EBBID was honored to participate in the Trey Whitfield Foundation’s annual gala, hosted by Janie Whitney and A.B. Whitfield. The event raises funds for Trey Whitfield School, located within the BID. Honorees included civic, educational, business and cultural leaders. We continue to be inspired by the work of TWS and their intelligent, thoughtful, poised and community-focused graduates.

2nd Annual east/central brooklyn contractors fair
june 27,2019

NYC x DESIGN "INDUSTRY & ART" FAIR
MAY 17 & 18, 2019

The EBBID was proud to support Legion Lighting, Smash Industries and Universe City in hosting our first "Industry & Art" Fair. The event was held over the course of two days, with a reception in the Legion factory showcasing light sculptures inspired by the work of Dan Flavin, followed by a street festival featuring mural painting, live music, children's activities, a car show and the work of local artists. We're grateful for financial sponsorship from Bank of America, Help USA and LDCENY, along with corporate donations from Philips and Rosco. The Brownsville Community Culinary Center and Island Pot helped provide delicious food options to the tremendous turnout of neighborhood residents and art lovers. The combination of industry, art, ideas and community engagement made this celebration truly exceptional.

Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

WILLIAMS AVENUE COMMUNITY GARDEN
MAY 17, 2019

Following a Spring planting last month, the EBBID joined New York Restoration Project (NYRP) in officially reopening the revitalized Williams Avenue Community Garden. Council Member Espinal, DOT staff, local residents and students from Trey Whitfield School, along with those from YMCA Y Roads East New York, enjoyed a BBQ, music and dancing in the garden. NYRP Executive Director Deborah Marton remarked how thrilled she was by the level of community engagement in the landscape design process. EBBID Board Member Renee Boyd looked forward to a robust season of activities in this renewed community asset. Come join us!

Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

VISION ZERO BANNER UNVEILING
MAY 17, 2019

The EBBID was excited to help unveil DOT's Vision Zero banner campaign for the district. Designed in collaboration with students from Trey Whitfield School and teaching artists from the local arts collaborative, Universe City, the vibrant banners feature the safety slogan "Slow Motion, Less Commotion." We were joined at the banner unveiling on Williams Avenue by Council Member Espinal, DOT Assistant Commissioner Kim Wiley-Schwartz, DOT Safety Liaison Cynthia Sweeney and Universe City leaders Franklyn Mena and Alexis Mena. Students and staff from Trey Whitfield School, including 5th Grade teacher Ivory Crawford, showed us the importance of traffic safety in ensuring the well-being of neighborhood residents across generations. Look out for our new banners throughout the district!

Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

EBBID SUPPORTS THE PUBLIC THEATER'S THE TEMPEST
APRIL 27, 2019

The EBBID was proud to co-host the final leg of The Public Theater's Spring tour of Shakespeare's The Tempest at the North Brooklyn YMCA. Now in its third season in East New York, the Mobile Unit's production has attracted a growing audience, in particular neighborhood youth. We hope these seeds of inspiration will help foster the next generation of writers, artists and cultural leaders.

WILLIAMS AVENUE COMMUNITY GARDEN INAUGURAL PLANTING
APRIL 17, 2019

EBBID District Manager Bill Wilkins and Community Consultant Shan Jayakumar helped New York Restoration Project (NYRP) kickoff Spring with a planting in the newly redesigned Williams Avenue Community Garden. Students from the nearby Trey Whitfield School and the YMCA Y Roads East New York joined in the gardening efforts. They were hosted by staff from NYRP, including Community Engagement Manager Charlie Reynoso, landscape architect Filomena Riganti and Director of Garden Horticulture Jason Sheets. The EBBID, the students and local residents are excited by the revitalized neighborhood asset!

On April 24, representatives from the New York State Parks Department, a funder of the garden through the Vital Brooklyn initiative, visited the completed site. They were impressed by the design and the community-building efforts in East Brooklyn.

NYREC hosts its quarterly Executive Roundtable Breakfast @ the Harvard Club of New York
April 2, 2019

NYREC hosts its quarterly Executive Roundtable Breakfast. The event was held at the Harvard Club of New York.
Executive Roundtable Breakfast Speakers:

Rafael Salaberrios, Senior Vice President of the Empire State Development Small Business Capital Access
Paul Williams, Managing Director of William Strategy Advisors will share exciting and game-changing information on Opportunity Zones opportunities they have to offer!
Stuart Boesky is the Chief Executive Officer of Pembrook Capital Managment, LLC where they help owners and developers of commercial real estate address their most complex financing challenges. Stuart Boesky will speak on best practices in raising equity for affordable housing.

Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

NYPD NEIGHBORHOOD VIOLENT CRIME STRATEGY MEETING
FEBRUARY 28, 2019

NYPD Commissioner James P. O'Neill met with neighborhood leaders in the 75th Precinct, including EBBID District Manager Bill Wilkins, for a discussion on how community members and the police can work together to better alleviate elevated crime rates in the district.

Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

BLACK HISTORY MONTH PANEL DISCUSSION
FEBRUARY 11, 2019

The EBBID was proud to support a film, panel discussion and marketplace on "The Business of Black Power" at the Brooklyn Public Library, Grand Army Plaza, as part of Black History Month celebrations. The speakers included Deputy Mayor J. Phillip Thompson, Society for Effective Economic Democracy co-founder Roger Green, social justice minister Glinnie Chamble, and The Culture LP co-founder Michael Tonge. Journalist and author Ron Howell served as moderator.

Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

GRacie Mansion HOliday Party
December 17, 2018

EBBID Manager, Bill Wilkins, at Gracie Manor City Leaders Holiday Party with Mayor DeBlasio.

EBBID Manager Bill Wilkins with his wife Denyce and former Mayor Dinkins at Gracie Mansion Holiday Party.

Supporting small businesses in east new york - neighborhood 360
December 1, 2018

With support from the Neighborhood 360 initiative of NYC SBS, BRIC filmmakers follow District Manager Bill Wilkins on a narrative tour of the EBBID. We go behind-the-scenes of furniture manufacturer Inner Gaze, automotive services provider Simtech Auto, and steel distributor Eastern Steel.

EBBID Annual Meeting
November 16, 2018

The EBBID returned to Lindenwood Diner in East New York for its Annual Meeting (Before Business Breakfast). Attendees attentively listened to a recap of the year's progress in making the EBBID a safer, cleaner, greener and more attractive environment for business operations as well as the community at-large. Guest presenters included our sponsoring host, Chase Bank, as well as NYPD, DOT, EDC, ConEd, National Grid, New York Restoration Project, and Brownsville Community Culinary Center.

Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

EBBID SUPPORTS THE PUBLIC THEATER'S A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
OCTOBER 6, 2018

The EBBID was honored to welcome the Public Theater back to East New York with the Mobile Unit's Fall production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream at the North Brooklyn YMCA. The audience of all ages expanded three-fold from the Spring, and as District Manager Bill Wilkins commented, we continue to be "humbled and inspired" by the Public's engaging and immersive theatrical performances. In addition to a return visit by some previous cast and crew, including Mobile Unit program manager, Roxanna Barrios, we were delighted that the play's director, Jenny Koons, was able to join us.
Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

NATIONAL MANUFACTURING DAY
OCTOBER 5, 2018

The EBBID organized its annual celebration of local manufacturers and toured area businesses with students from Trey Whitfield School. This year, we were graciously hosted by Legion Lighting and Watermark Designs, a manufacturer of luxury bath fixtures. New York Restoration Project also gave us an update on their Williams Avenue Community Garden, on the same block as the school. The students came away with more insights on their neighborhood, a broader sense of career possibilities in industry and engineering, and inspiration for their own creative entrepreneurship.
Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

GALLERY OPENING
SEPTEMBER 7, 2018

The EBBID was excited to see the arts being fostered at a gallery opening hosted by Fernando Mastrangelo Studio, a new design and sculpture atelier in the district.

DCAS MEETING
AUGUST 9, 2018

Following discussions earlier this year with NYCEDC, District Manager Bill Wilkins met with representatives from the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) to get a better understanding of available city-owned parcels in the EBBID. As manufacturing-zoned land becomes more scarce in the city, we hope to connect industrial businesses with the real estate they need to expand their operations.

EBBID OUTREACH & FINAL REVIEW WITH COLUMBIA GSAPP
AUGUST 2, 2018

With coordination from the EBDMA, Columbia GSAPP students returned to the district in late July to present their evolving concepts on Broadway Junction for feedback from Belmont Metals, Legion Lighting and Council Member Espinal's office. District Manager Bill Wilkins and EBBID consultant Shan Jayakumar helped conclude the Columbia urban design summer studio by participating in the final review jury on campus August 2nd.

STREET SIGNAGE
JULY 2018

As a follow-up to Borough Commissioner Bray's tour of the EBBID last Fall, the DOT has been implementing new street parking signage to better accommodate the needs of the industrial firms in the district. As one local business owner put it, "thank you...for the installation of the truck loading signs...[they have] made life much easier for us. Truck deliveries can now back right into our warehouse." This was an important proactive step by the EBBID for businesses to operate efficiently, particularly in light of the increasing concentration of residential shelters in the district, such as the opening of the multi-block facility on Junius Street and the impending construction of a transient hotel on Williams Avenue.

VITAL BROOKLYN ANNOUNCEMENT
JULY 5, 2018

District Manager Bill Wilkins represented the EBBID at Governor Cuomo's Vital Brooklyn announcement speech in Brownsville this month. The $1.4 billion initiative aimed at addressing persistent challenges faced by central Brooklyn encompasses a number of program areas including economic empowerment and job creation, affordable housing, healthcare, open space, healthy food, education, violence prevention and resiliency. New York State Assembly Member Latrice Walker, whose district includes a portion of the EBBID, introduced the governor and highlighted the urgent needs of the community.
Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

INDUSTRY ICON FENCE PANELS
JULY 2018

We're excited to celebrate summer with the installation of colorful fence panels featuring our new business iconography at the heart of the industrial park, Pitkin and Williams Avenues, where John Pitkin's 19th Century shoe factory had its origins. This concludes the initial installment of NYCEDC-produced marketing materials for the East Brooklyn BID. In addition to the advertising team at EDC, we want to thank BID board member, John Curcio, and his firm, Empire State Bus, for hosting the panels.

COLUMBIA SUMMER STUDIO REVIEW
JUNE 22, 2018

District Manager, Bill Wilkins, and consultant, Shan Jayakumar, served among the guest critics for the midterm review of the Columbia GSAPP
Summer Urban Design Studio on Broadway Junction. We hope their creative energy will inspire the transformation of "realities and issues into assets."

ENY CONTRACTORS FAIR
JUNE 21, 2018

The EBBID anchored local business participation in the inaugural East New York Contractors Fair to foster procurement opportunities between developers and contractors with firms in the industrial park. The vibrant turnout, including former Congressman Edolphus Towns and BID Board President, Joseph Costanzo, helped us promote the district and debut some of our new marketing materials.
Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

NYC DEP provides maintenance to Rain Gardens in the BID
June 15, 2018

EAST NEW YORK COMMUNITY CLEAN UP
JUNE 9, 2018

For the second year, as part of Citi's Global Community Day, volunteers gathered in the EBBID for a neighborhood "clean and green" event. They were joined by staff from the Department of Environmental Protection as part of a special focus on the rain gardens in the area to promote awareness and maintenance of the city's green infrastructure.
Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

BROADWAY JUNCTION & EBBID TOUR WITH COLUMBIA URBAN DESIGN STUDENTS
JUNE 6, 2018

EBBID District Manager, Bill Wilkins, and consultant, Shan Jayakumar, led Columbia GSAPP students and faculty on a tour of the area for their summer studio. Part of the visit included an overview of the district's challenges and future proposals by Lloyd Lesperance, Chief of Staff to Council Member Espinal.

EBBID SUPPORTS THE PUBLIC THEATER'S HENRY V
APRIL 7, 2018

Under the initiative of Neighborhood 360 Fellow, Shan Jayakumar, and with support from the EBBID, the Public Theater’s Mobile Unit was invited to East New York to help expand the district’s cultural capacity. The effort culminated in an evocative performance of Shakespeare’s Henry V at the North Brooklyn YMCA on April 7. Due to the overwhelming audience response to the drama’s themes of struggle, sacrifice, and leadership, the Public Theater plans to return soon with their next production.
Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

EBBID sponsors film, pressure
March 23, 2018

The EBBID was proud to support the premiere of the film Pressure, a movie depicting Harlem in the 1980s and 90s and reflecting on life's choices and their consequences. Written and directed by Brooklyn-based filmmaker, Abdu Dandridge, the film offers a vital message to urban youth.

EBBID Meeting with NYCEDC
march 15, 2018

EBBID Manager, Bill Wilkins, and Neighborhood 360 Fellow, Shan Jayakumar, met with NYCEDC Chief of Staff, James Katz, to discuss issues pertinent to the industrial park. They were joined by NYCEDC senior staff Darryl Connelly, Julieanne Herskowitz, and Ricky Da Costa.

Broadway Junction and EBBID Tour with UVA Architecture Students
February 9, 2018

Joining Koren Manning and Alexandra Diaz from the Department of City Planning, BID District Manager, Bill Wilkins, and Neighborhood 360 Fellow, Shan Jayakumar, helped lead a tour of the area for graduate students from the University of Virginia School of Architecture. With us for an earlier part of the overview were Richard Bearak from the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President, Annemarie Gray of NYCEDC, and Lloyd Lesperance, Chief of Staff to Council Member Espinal. The students will be studying the district as part of their Spring semester design studio. We look forward to their concepts!

Hollywood Comes to East Brooklyn
February 2018

Filming of Edward Norton's adaptation of "Motherless Brooklyn" (based on a novel of the same name by Jonathan Lethem) commenced on Belmont Avenue. Period cars (ca. 1950s) and costumes enlivened the EBBID streetscape. The East Brooklyn District Management Association coordinated with the film crew for the temporary removal of BID banners to create historical authenticity. Audiences will get a glimpse of old-time East New York!
Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Centennial Celebration: 100th Year Anniversary
February 6, 2018

BID District Manager, Bill Wilkins, and Neighborhood 360 Fellow, Shan Jayakumar, joined Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Andrew Hoan, for an update on The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) report and to celebrate the Chamber's 100th year. Of local importance is the report's focus on Broadway Junction in which the BID serves on the advisory council.

NYPD 75th PCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL children's CHRISTMAS PARTY
December, 2017

Annual holiday party to connect the East New York community with the local precinct. The East Brooklyn BID was represented by Shan Jayakumar, Neighborhood 360 Fellow.
Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

EBBID holiday giving
december 2017

Trey Whitfield School, Consolidated Bus and the EBBID come together to sponsor event with Santa for children in East New York.

Annual nyc sbs & nypd Brooklyn North meeting
december 2017

Annual NYC SBS and NYPD Brooklyn North meeting to discuss relevant issues with the police department in the respective BID's. Representing East Brooklyn BID Shan Jayakumar Neighborhood 360 Fellow

Inspector Chell 75 Pct touring Eastern Effects
December 2017

tour of the EBBID with DOT Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Keith Bray
November 2017

Joining us were Commissioner Bray's staff (DOT Community Coordinator Nathan Albert, and DOT Brooklyn Borough Engineering staff, Lashon Green) and Officer Judy Beltre of the the NYPD 75th Precinct, Community Affairs division. EBBID businesses visited included: Harris Plumbing,
Legion Lighting, Eastern Steel and Adriatic Wood.
Photo credit: Shan Jayakumar

National manufacturing day
October 2017

Photo credit: Kreg Holt

Department of Small Business Services
Neighborhood 360° Fellows EBBID Corridor Tour
august 2017

Adriatic Wood

Belmont Metals

Legion Lighting

EBBID Sponsors 75th precinct National night out
August 1, 2017

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, 8th Congressional District with Bill Wilkins, BID Manager and Shan Jayakumar, Neighborhood 360 Fellow from NYC Department of Small Business Services.