Senator Golden, Former 5th Avenue Board Of Trade President, Endorses Proposal To Create Business Improvement District

Brooklyn- State Senator Marty Golden (R-C-I, 22nd District), a founding member and former President of the 5th Avenue Merchants, has issued a letter to the 5th Avenue B.I.D. Committee which will be included in the proposal requesting the City of New York approve the establishment of the Business Improvement District on Bay Ridge’s 5th Avenue.

Golden wrote, "We have gone from the days of seeing many empty stores with "For Rent" signs displayed, to a period of time where to find a space to rent is almost an impossible task. The creation of this B.I.D. will solidify the work we have been able to accomplish as a community and will go a long way in ensuring that for Brooklyn, and for the City of New York, 5th Avenue remains a vital economic stronghold."

A copy of the letter sent to Jim Clark, the Director of the B.I.D. Committee, is attached.

July 6, 2005

Mr. Jim Clark
C/o 5th Avenue B.I.D.
480-76th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11209

Dear Mr. Clark,
It is with my enthusiastic support that I write to you and inform you of my support for the creation of a 5th Avenue Business Improvement District here in Brooklyn. As a founding member of the 5th Avenue Merchants, and as the former President, I know that the institution of a Business Improvement District here on 5th Avenue will only help to grow this vital community business district.
5th Avenue in Bay Ridge is an avenue that has a wide array of stores. 5th Avenue has a great variety of clothing stores, of many restaurants representing a wide array of cultures, of specialty shops and other business that are at the same time unique and essential to the residents of this community and Brooklyn. For years, and now since the completion of the 5th Avenue reconstruction project, 5th Avenue is alive and prospering as never before. The B.I.D. will only add to this renewed and ever growing life which is breathing on 5th Avenue.
I know of the progress that has been made here along 5th Avenue since the early years of the 1990’s. This community, the merchants, the residents and the activists, have turned this commercial strip into one of our community’s finest treasures. We have gone from the days of seeing many empty stores with "For Rent" signs displayed, to a period of time where to find a space to rent is an almost impossible task. The creation of this B.I.D. will solidify the work we have been able to accomplish as a community and will go a long way in ensuring that for Brooklyn, and for the City of New York, 5th Avenue remains a vital economic stronghold.
Thank you for your efforts. Please be assured of my unwavering support.

Sincerely,

Martin J. Golden
State Senator