CROW HILL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MEETING

neene

The Crow Hill Community Association will be meeting:
Tuesday, October 16 at 7:30 pm
Haitian-American Daycare Center
1491 Bedford Ave
(at Bedford & St. John's)

CHCA covers the areas between Eastern Pkwy & Atlantic
from Bedford to Franklin with a focus on the Franklin Avenue business corrider

In the past the Association has:
planted trees
installed tree guards
put up banners
helped businesses renew store fronts with new glass & awnings
cleaned up garbage
etc.

We have many great ideas for the future including installing lights and cameras to increase safety

Please come out, voice your concerns and wishes for the neighborhood and together we can address them

http://www.crowhillcommunity.org/

anonymous

Sorry I didn't make the meeting. Could you give me an update.

neene

our october meeting was extremely well attended
thank you to everyone who came out

basically the goal of this meeting was to introduce CHCA to members of the community.

We are currently waiting to hear if we will have access to monies being held for us by the Dormitory Authority of NY for improving the Franklin Avenue Business corridor. Our submitted budget includes:
installing lights & cameras
helping merchants with store facades: glass replacement, awnings, gates, etc.
replacing trees, installing tree guards, providing planters
providing bins for garbage cans
etc.

We also heard from the community about their concerns:
safety
trees
business development
activities for youth
speeding/speed bumps

please visit our website: http://www.crowhillcommunity.org/ for more information

ben

I was unable to make the meeting due to a prior engagement but am interested in hearing about what can be done.

What's gotten me about Franklin Ave is that there are so many storefronts fro rent, many of which have been renovated. There are tons of new residents in the area over the last few years, especially with the addition of all of the units at the jewish hospital and the building across the street from it on St. marks but the retail is not keeping up.

I know it's just a matter of time before people realize the potential and these spaces get filled up but I think that help in creating awareness of the business potential that exists can go a long way.

Additionally, working with landlords to help them attract businesses that have been successful elsewhere will help. As an example of this we can look to Dumbo where Two Trees offered successful Manhattan based businesses free rent for a year to come set up shop in Dumbo. This seeded the area with quality retail and attracted others to follow. The businesses were rewarded for taking the risk on a new retail area and the neighborhood was rewarded with high quality businesses.

Not that Franklin Ave landlords have to give free rent for a year but they could offer significantly reduced rent to the right tenants - those they know will be successful and add to the community - for a limited period of time. Some of these spaces have been vacant for over a year anyway so the owners wouldn't have lost anything had they given free rent to a quality tenant. Fast forward 2 yrs and the rent they can command more than makes up for any short term loss.

crowhillresident

Subject: Wishing to get involved

I live in the Franklin business corridor area and would love to get involved in this association. What is the best way for me to contact you all? Should I call, e-mail or attend the first meeting?? I am standing by.

neene

pm me your name/address/email
and i will add you to the database

our next meeting is:
Tuesday 11/20
7:30 PM
Haitian-American Daycare Center
1491 Bedford Ave
(at Bedford & St. John's)

CHCA meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm

you can check the website: http://www.crowhillcommunity.org
for upcoming meetings and other useful community info

neene

@ ben

very interesting suggestion
i have already brought it up with other members
do you have any direct experience with this?
or do you know someone who does?
it would be great to form a committee to investigate the possibilities...
but it would need a leader
hint hint