Flatbush Avenue BID News Archives

Apr

BID Merger Hearing

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On Monday, April 27th at 10:00am, there will be a public hearing held in the City Council
Committee Room, 2nd floor, City Hall, New York, New York 10007. The topic of this hearing is about merging the Flatbush Avenue and Church Avenue BIDs into one Business Improvement District. It is public, so all are welcome to sit in.

Any owner of real property deemed benefited and therefore within the District, objecting to the District Plan, must file a BID Objection Form at the Office of the City Clerk within thirty (30) days of the close of the Public Hearing concerning the establishment of the proposed District.

Copies of the resolution adopted by the City Council, which include a copy of the District Plan, are available for public inspection from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Monday through Friday at the Office of the City Clerk located at 141 Worth Street, New York, New York 10013. In addition, copies of the resolution are available free of charge to the public at the Office of the City Clerk.

The full public notice resolution summary can be found here

Nov

The Church Avenue BID is searching for a new Program Manager for our Avenue NYC Commercial Revitalization grant (updated)

Categories: Events, Flatbush Avenue BID News

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The Commercial Revitalization Program Manager will help the Church Avenue BID and Flatbush Avenue BID develop,
design, and deliver commercial revitalization programs and services during the second half of the organization’s three-year
Avenue NYC Commercial Revitalization grant funded by the New York City Department of Small Businesses Services
(SBS). This grant ends on June 30, 2024 and while we cannot guarantee an offer of an ongoing job, it is likely that we will be
interested in continuing the position on a permanent basis. Although the Program Manager position is paid by the Church
Ave. BID, all aspects of this position will be designed to serve both BIDs.

Avenue NYC grants strengthen community-based development organizations (CBDOs) to carry out commercial revitalization
programs in low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities. The Program Manager will work in partnership with the
organization’s leadership to help develop and implement various commercial revitalization projects that will address the
needs identified by the Commercial District Needs Assessment that the BIDs and three other Flatbush nonprofits completed
earlier in 2022. The Program Manager will be part of a cohort of other Avenue NYC grant-funded program managers
dedicated to executing commercial revitalization programs in commercial districts across New York City.

The position is full-time and will report to the Executive Director. Work hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Hours can be modified on occasion when BID events and activities are held on evenings or weekends. In compliance with
federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

Learn more information about this position and the application requirements: Full job description and more information

Apr

Flatbush Ave. BID Street Fair 2022

Categories: Flatbush Avenue BID News, News

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The Flatbush Ave. BID will be holding our street fair Sunday, June 12.

To participate, fill out the forms below:

Vendors

BID Members

Mar

Key to NYC Requirements Suspended

Categories: Flatbush Avenue BID News, News

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Key to NYC Requirements Suspended Beginning Monday, March 7 – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced several changes to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions that will continue to protect the health and safety of all New Yorkers, while simultaneously boosting the city’s economic recovery. In the face of quickly declining COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations and more than 17 million doses of vaccines administered, Mayor Adams announced the suspension of the Key to NYC program.

Beginning Monday, March 7, indoor venues, including restaurants, fitness facilities, and entertainment spaces will no longer be required to check for proof of vaccination before customers enter. Businesses previously covered by Key to NYC rules will still have the flexibility to require proof of vaccination or masking indoors if they choose.

If the number of cases and/or hospitalizations increase, the City will reconsider whether Key to NYC or other vaccine requirements need to be implemented again.

All other COVID-19 mandates will remain in effect. Under the rules, employees will still be required to be vaccinated unless they have received a reasonable accommodation from their employer.

Clarification of Remaining Mask Mandates – Although masks are no longer required in businesses or schools (K-12), they are still required in the following settings:

All healthcare settings regulated by the Department of Health
Nursing homes and adult care facilities
Correctional facilities and detention centers
Homeless shelters
Public transportation hubs
Trains, planes, and airports (Federal regulation)

New COVID-19 Alert Level System Announced – Early Friday, Mayor Adams released a new color-coded system that tracks COVID-19 alerts and keeps New York City residents apprised of the risks they face in New York City. This new system will better help New Yorkers understand the current level of COVID-19 risk and how they can best protect themselves and others based on the current risk. The system consists of four alert levels that outline precautions and recommended actions for individuals and government based on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Community Burden Indicator.

Understanding COVID-19 Alert Levels in NYC (PDF)

COVID-19 Alert Levels: Definitions and Recommended Actions (PDF)

New York City is currently at a low alert level (green).

Sep

Key to NYC

Categories: Events, Flatbush Avenue BID News, News

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Following is the guidance just released from the City about the proof of vaccination (called Key to NYC) that begins Tues. Aug. 17, 2021 for certain types of businesses. Enforcement will begin Sept. 13, 2021. Below are links to Frequently Asked Questions, the City’s Checklist for Businesses, and the flyer which you can print or create your own.

A few important highlights which address questions we’ve been hearing (more details are in the FAQ):

Children under age 12 (not yet eligible for vaccination) are able to enter all the listed establishments as long as they wear a face mask, except when eating or drinking, whenever they are unable to maintain six feet from other people.
If your business is covered by Key to NYC, you are required to:
- post a sign notifying employees and patrons about the vaccination requirement. You can make your own sign (which must be at least 8.5″ x 11″ and at least 14-point font) or post the attached sign.
- keep a written record of how you will verify proof of vaccination for employees and patrons. This must be on site and available for inspection.
People who refuse to show proof of vaccination can enter for a brief purpose, like picking up take-out food or paying a bill, as long as they wear a mask whenever they are unable to maintain six feet from other people.

Here is the guidance…

Today, Mayor de Blasio released additional information about the recently launched “Key to NYC” program, which requires indoor entertainment, indoor dining, and indoor fitness establishments to check vaccination records of patrons, full- or part-time employees, interns, volunteers, and contractors with the following two exceptions:

individuals entering a covered establishment for a quick and limited purpose (using the restroom, placing or picking up an order or service, changing clothes in a locker room, or performing necessary repairs)
visiting performing artists or athletes (including any members of the team accompanying the performer or athlete), so long as the visiting performer/athlete is in the premises to perform/compete.

Establishments can accept the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record (including photograph or copy of the Vaccination Card), the NYC COVID Safe Pass, the New York State Excelsior Pass or an official immunization record from outside NYC or the United States as proof of vaccination. Establishments will be required to maintain written records so that inspectors can review how they are implementing and enforcing this mandate.

In addition, establishments must post the attached sign (or a similar sign following specific design requirements) in a conspicuous place near the entrance(s) of the establishment.

The following business are required to check vaccination records under the Key to NYC program:

Indoor Entertainment:

Movie theaters
Live music
Concert venues
Museums & galleries
Aquariums and zoos
Professional sports arenas
Stadiums
Convention centers
Exhibition halls
Performing arts theaters
Bowling alleys
Arcades
Pool and billiard halls
Recreational game centers
Casinos
Adult entertainment

Indoor Dining

Restaurants
Catering halls
Event spaces
Hotel banquet rooms
Bars
Cabarets
Nightclubs
Cafeterias
Grocery stores with indoor dining
Bakeries
Coffee shops
Fast food / quick service with indoor dining

Indoor Fitness Establishments:

Gyms
Fitness centers
Fitness classes
Pools
Indoor studios
Dance studios
Sports classes

The “Key to NYC” program kicks off tomorrow and the City will begin assessing fines to establishments that fail to comply with the vaccination mandate on Sept. 13, 2021. Failure to comply will result in violations of not less than $1,000 per offense, and could result in fines of up to $5,000 per offense if the entity is found to repeatedly fail to check for vaccination within a 12 month period.

FAQ

Checklist

Flyer

May

May Updates

Categories: Flatbush Avenue BID News, News

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The Governor announces a major reopening of NY State by 5/17/21 (includes: retail, food services, gyms and fitness centers, amusement and family entertainment, hair salons, barber shops, offices, etc.)

Hair salons, barber shops, and other personal care businesses as well as indoor dining can increase capacity to 75% starting May 7.
Gyms and fitness centers expand to 50% capacity and offices can increase to 75% capacity starting May 15.
Outdoor food and beverage curfew lifted on May 17. MTA returns to 24-hour service the same day.
Indoor food and beverage curfew lifted May 31.
Indoor catered gathering limit increases to 250; 500 with testing or vaccine May 19.
Residential gathering limits increases to 50 May 19.
Outdoor large stadium capacity will go to 33% on May 19. (NY, NJ, CT are working on a joint protocol for stadiums going forward.)

Feb

Flatbush Ave. BID Annual Meeting

Categories: Flatbush Avenue BID News, News

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Flatbush Avenue BID members are invited to the Flatbush Avenue Business Improvement District’s (“BID”) virtual annual meeting for FY20! We want to fill you in on what we’ve been doing to help our businesses and properties throughout the past challenging year, hear from our special speaker on the state of Brooklyn’s commercial areas, and look ahead to the coming year.

When: Wed. March 10, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89091147423

To RSVP, please go to bit.ly/flatbushmeeting (if you have difficulty getting to the RSVP web page, please text 917-538-5784)

Materials:

FY20 Annual Report

FY20 Audit

FY20 Annual Meeting Agenda

FY19 Annual Meeting minutes

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Flatbush Ave. BID, click here to fill out the registration form.

Jan

PPP and EIDL Updates Meeting

Categories: Flatbush Avenue BID News, News

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PPP and EIDL Updates

Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021

11 AM – 12:30 PM

Click here for the recording.

Join us to learn the updated information on PPP and EIDL including the PPP Second Draw Loan Application and PPP Forgiveness Application update. PPP forgiveness is not granted automatically. It is the borrower’s responsibility to submit the correct form with the accurate calculation and information with all required documentation to PPP lenders.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) has been extended to Dec. 31, 2021. Interest rate 3.75% for business and 2.75% for non-profit, 30 years term and one-year deferment. Apply now and you do not have to accept it when your application approved.

Speaker: Ms. Man-Li Lin, Economic Development Specialist, SBA New York District Office

Oct

Open Storefronts Program

Categories: Flatbush Avenue BID News, News

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Mayor announces the Open Storefronts program to begin Friday 10/30/20 and applications are now available

The program allows eligible businesses to conduct activity on sidewalks directly in front of your business. Find the application, diagram, and FAQ here.

How can I apply and what is the cost?

The application is online and it takes around 5 minutes to apply. It is free to apply. You must know your EIN, basic information about your business, and measure the length and width of the sidewalk in front of your business.
If you have multiple businesses, you must apply for each address separately.

Requirements:

Your sidewalk must be at least 8 feet wide and your merchandise should be placed within 5 feet of the external wall of your building. (You can find the width of your sidewalk here but we don’t think this online map is always accurate. We suggest you refer to it if the map looks right but if it doesn’t look correct, we urge you to remeasure your sidewalk’s width yourself.)

Which businesses can participate?
Any ground floor storefront business predominantly involved in the sale of goods and/or services directly to the public. Includes businesses engaged in retail trade (i.e. clothing and equipment stores, retail food stores, health and personal care stores) as well as repair stores, personal care services, and dry-cleaning and laundry services.

Which activities are/are not allowed in Open Storefronts?

You can display and sell goods outside, use A-frame signs, place temporary seating, place collapsible umbrellas with weighted bases and tents (these must be brought inside at the end of each day), lighting (as long as it doesn’t blind shoppers and it complies with FDNY codes), etc.
Not allowed: amplified sound or outdoor heaters, personal care services (hair cuts, etc.)
Please look at the full FAQ for more rules.

When will this be in effect?

The program will start on Fri. 10/30/20 and run through Thurs. 12/31/20. Once your application is approved and starting 10/30/20, you can operate outdoors during your normal business hours within the following hours:

Mon. – Sat. 8am – 11pm
Sun. 10am – 11pm

I don’t understand or want to discuss what I want to do. Where do I go for answers?

You can call the SBS hotline (888-727-4692) or contact us at the BID directly with any questions.

Aug

End of July 2020 update

Categories: Flatbush Avenue BID News

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fruit

1. Zoom call for BID members on Mon. 8/3/20 at 1pm
Join us on Mon. 8/3/20 for updates, networking, and discussion of shifting activities outdoors as well as exploring one member’s idea about sharing commercial space for businesses who, due to the shut down, are no longer able to keep their storefronts. You do not need to register in advance.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87406594769
Meeting ID: 874 0659 4769
One tap mobile +16465588656,,87406594769# US (New York)

2. One more week to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program loan (PPP)
The last day that the SBA will be accepting PPP applications from lenders is Sat. 8/8/20 (you can only apply for a PPP through a lender). We have been speaking with TruFund and they are still accepting PPP applications until Wed. 8/5/20 and will help walk you through the process. If you are interested in applying, contact Valerie H. Johnson-Brown, Client Engagement Manager: office: 212.204.1347; cell: 631.365.9905 [email protected]

3. There is still time to apply for LISC Small Business Relief Grant (application due by Mon. 8/3/20 at 11:59pm)
Go here to apply for a grant ranging from $5,000 to $20,000.

4. Check here for our regularly updated list of reopening information, available loans and grants, and more.

4. As always, if you’re a member of the Flatbush Avenue BID and you are not receiving our emails giving you information about loans and grants, free PPE, and business webinars, or if you need individual help available for free for all BID members, contact us today at [email protected]!

Best,
Lauren, Hope, & Sneha

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