The Grand Street BID and the Graham Avenue BID are collaborating for the AvenueNYC Revitalization Program - a major commercial revitalization effort, leveraging a significant grant awarded jointly to the Grand Street BID and Graham Avenue BID. Through the newly formed East Williamsburg Collaborative, we will be conducting a Commercial District Needs Assessment and want to hear what you have to say about East Williamsburg:
The East Williamsburg Collaborative is a partnership between the Grand St and Graham Ave Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). Both BIDs are local non-profit organizations who have been serving East Williamsburg for 40 years. The AvenueNYC program allowed the two BIDs to formally join efforts to serve the wider neighborhood beyond their respective corridors.
The Collaborative further partners with and is supported by local community organizations and elected officials:
Councilmember Jennifer Gutiérrez
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Southside United HDFC - Los Sures
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Evergreen Exchange
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Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso's Office
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St. Nick's Alliance
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Brooklyn Community Board 1
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Riseboro Community Partnership
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Friends of Cooper Park
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Moore Street Market
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Councilmember Jennifer Gutiérrez 〰️ Southside United HDFC - Los Sures 〰️ Evergreen Exchange 〰️ Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso's Office 〰️ St. Nick's Alliance 〰️ Brooklyn Community Board 1 〰️ Riseboro Community Partnership 〰️ Friends of Cooper Park 〰️ Moore Street Market 〰️
The AvenueNYC Commercial Revitalization grant, awarded by NYC Small Business Services in September, has been running since 2015 to furnish commercial communities with holistic support. Each awardee launches with a year-long study researching trends and needs, including consumer, merchant, and property owner surveys.
”We’re already getting feedback, but we need to make sure we reach every corner of the community,” said the grant’s Program Manager, Ki-Sang Yi. Surveys are available in English, Spanish, and Mandarin here:
Share your thoughts in English, en español, 或者用中文来说!
About The East Williamsburg AvenueNYC Collaborative
The East Williamsburg Collaborative
Individually, both BIDs currently provide: supplemental services including sidewalk cleaning and graffiti removal; district marketing and special events aimed at attracting residents and visitors to the district; placemaking; business attraction and retention; and district beautification with the goal of creating inclusive, cohesive commercial districts that are well-programmed, inviting and Visible. Now working as a collaborative, these BIDs can undertake a more comprehensive and holistic study of the needs of commercial districts throughout East Williamsburg.
About Ki-Sang Yi
Ki-Sang is spearheading East Williamsburg’s Commercial Revitalization Initiative as the AvenueNYC Program Manager. With a Master’s in Urban Planning from Columbia University’s GSAPP, Ki-Sang brings experience in small business development, place-based community engagement, and interdisciplinary data analysis to the role. Her identity as a daughter of immigrants and her deep fondness for intergenerational communities drives Ki-Sang’s belief that city planning is most effective when centered around thriving, inclusive, and sustainable neighborhoods. Her curiosity in the people and places of East Williamsburg, where she now resides, is always extended, so feel free to share your stories with her.
