Jamaica Center BIDS Annual Grant Report

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Leveraging the Three T’s to Invigorate Downtown Jamaica Dear BID Members, This was a pivotal year for the BID with the announcement of the Jamaica Now Action Neighborhood Plan, unprecedented development and various changes in leadership in Queens. The Borough and business community was unfortunate to lose one such leader, the Executive Director of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Jack Friedman, but his vision for Queens of what he called the three T’s, technology, transportation and tourism, lives on strong in Jamaica. And on the heels of the truly historic triple crown win by American Pharaoh, downtown Jamaica’s trifecta of the three T’s bring a winning combination for the future of the district.

Creating a Digital Downtown With technology, we are creating a digital downtown corridor. Thanks to the efforts of the Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, we will be one of the first NYC shopping districts to welcome Wi-Fi through LinkNYC conversion of payphones to hot spots, creating a web mesh system so that our district is fully connected. The BID has a new website, is using augmented reality technology to spread the word digitally about events and promotions downtown, and is exploring the addition of multimedia screens, 3D printing and the latest Samsung technology for shoppers to have the state of the art retail experience. And thanks to Greater Jamaica Development Corporation our Rufus King Park already offers free Wi-Fi all summer that has activated the park throughout the day unlike any other park improvement since.

The HUB Planes, trains, railroads, buses, vans, and bikes are driving the rapid residential development in downtown Jamaica as urban development grows greener around multimodal hubs like ours, and less dependent upon mobility by car.

Ridership continues to increase with additional routes being added to meet growing demand, including a Select Bus Service to and from Flushing in the works. Airtran attained record high ridership of the 10th consecutive year in 2014 with 6.5 million riders. There is a desire to explore bikes to better connect the four downtown transportation nodes and running a shuttle from these key locations to better connect to the vibrant shopping, dining and entertainment in the commercial district. Under Jamaica Now, needed streetscape, lighting and safety improvements are in the plan starting with a $250,000 study.

The Gateway to New York Queens was named the #1 place to visit in America and it is no surprise that Jamaica was named one of the top 5 hottest neighborhoods in New York, and the only one in Queens. That’s because we are diverse, dynamic and developing but in an affordable way, that continues to be the perfect location for artists, designers and musicians alike. The BID forged a long-term partnership with the NYU Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism who is partnering with us to celebrate Jamaica’s rich art, history, culture and architecture to showcase it to the world.

Getting around downtown continues to improve for residents and tourists. We are happy to introduce new shopping and dining maps for downtown next month working with the Queens Press and to welcome 15 WalkNYC directional maps in and around downtown Jamaica working with CB8 and CB12 on the kiosks’ strategic placement.

We are working more closely with the sister downtown BIDs to make even more of an impact in all of downtown together, by leveraging each of our individual strengths. As such, we invite you to actively participate in being part of the positive change to maintain and grow the boundless possibilities for our shared future. Thank you for your collaboration in making this past year a success. We look forward to executing and building on these initiatives and working with all of the members of the BID and our partners in the year ahead!

Sincerely,

Rhonda Binda, Executive Director

Michael Hirschhorn, President

Vision:

Founded in 1979 and the largest BID in Queens, the Jamaica Center Business Improvement District seeks to maintain Jamaica Center as a thriving hub and to make it an attractive destination to shop, work, live and visit.

Our Mission:

» Enhance: Create a more welcoming environment throughout the district by ensuring that it is clean and safe, and through public art and beautification efforts. » Promote: Host special shopping events, cultural events, activate public spaces and encourage tourism. » Develop: Attract more retail, restaurants and investment to the district. » Advocate: Coordinate with stakeholders for attentive delivery of government services, public improvements and capital investments in the district.

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Jamaica Center Business Improvement District 2015 Annual Report

Highlights of the Past Year Include: t t

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&YQBOEFE 7BMVF $BSE 1SPHSBN BOE FYUFOEFE to York and St. John’s Universities 4VQQPSUFE DPNNVOJUZ BSU NVTJD DVMUVSBM BOE philanthropic programs "EEFE BEEJUJPOBM #BDL UP 4DIPPM 'BTIJPO 4IPX to Jamaica Collections 1SPNPUFE #MBDL 'SJEBZ BOE 4NBMM #VTJOFTT Saturday with CB 8 #SBOEFE i)PMJEBZT PO UIF "WFOVFw BOE 5SFF Lighting with Cultural Collaborative Jamaica &YQFSJFODFE EFDSFBTF JO DSJNF JO rd percent thanks to strong NYPD partnership )PTUFE UIF +BNBJDB 3FBEJOH 4FSJFT )FBMUIZ )FBSU %BZ GPS 8PNFO T )JTUPSZ .POUI It’s My Park Day in celebration of Earth Day

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Maintenance & Beautification The BID works with Block by Block to BT HSBďUJ SFNPWBM XF IBWF CFFO BCMF UP maintain the beauty and appearance of maintain a cleaner Jamaica Avenue. There Jamaica Avenue. We employ 11 fullIBT CFFO QJFDFT PG HSBďUJ SFNPWFE time sanitation workers that keep our and 1,208 bills and stickers removed. district clean 7 days a week. We have Some of the other services provided that accrued 17,800 hours for service over the brightens the sidewalks of Jamaica are the past year. During this time, our team has cleaning of trash receptacles, which has removed approximately 900,000 lbs. of been done 10,000 times and the removal refuse. Their services have continued of weeds. into the harsh winter where Pedestrians Assisted: 12,316 they have provided 61 hours Trash bags Used: 25,752 Lbs. of Trash Removed: 901,320 of snow removal from key Snow Removal Hours: 61 areas in the district. Block Trash Receptacles Cleaned: 9,907 Weeds Removed: 241

by Block has provided us with professionalism and responsiveness to our district’s needs. In addition, their ambassadors have assisted more than 12,000 of the patrons of our district.

With their supplemental programs such 6

Jamaica Center Business Improvement District 2015 Annual Report

Marketing & Events Jamaica Center continues to court the arrival of more retail and restaurants to the district to match the increasing demand from the growing number of residents moving near downtown. We hosted a standing room only Jamaica Revealed real estate event with participation from developers and brokers from all across the tri-state area. For current and new businesses and property owners alike, we coordinate with appropriate city agencies to navigate and advocate. For the many small businesses and MWBEs we partner with SBS for capacity buildng and to offer networking opportunities.

For residents, we co-hosted with the TJTUFS EPXOUPXO #*%T IPTUJOH UIF i.Z +BNBJDBw GPSVN GPS UIFJS EJSFDU JOQVU PO where our retail attraction, marketing and promotion efforts should focus.

Jamaica Center is also working with NYU Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism to determine the best targets for our tourism promotion efforts, and we are in the pipeline GPS B i4FF :PVS $JUZw campaign with NYC 6: Company, the DJUZ T PďDJBM NBSLFUJOH BOE UPVSJTN organization.

And because of the burgeoning residential and commercial real estate markets, the addition of new hotels, new innovative local companies like

Jamaica Center Business Improvement District 2015 Annual Report

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Gotham Greens, our outstanding cultural offerings, Jamaica Center has received significant positive press in the past year.

For links to recent press, visit: www.jamaicacenter.org/latestnews The BID hosted numerous events in the past year including: t Jamaica Collections Fashion Show and Model and Designer Mixer t Jamaica Revealed Real Estate Conference and Vacancy Tour t 2014 Adjourned Annual Meeting t Holiday on the Avenue t Small Business Saturday t Back-to-School Fashion Show t Jamaica Reading Series t Make Music New York Plaza Performance Series

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In addition, we have supported and promoted community events throughout the year, including the Peace is Lifestyle’s Life Camp in conjunction with Raymour Flanigan’s One-Year Anniversary Celebration, the Sutphin BlD’s AdoptA-Family program, the Farmer’s Market, Healthy Heart Day, It’s My Park Day at Rufus King Park and started a community calendar on the website to share information about activities in the neighborhood.

For a full listing of neighborhood events, visit: www.jamaicacenter.org/ communitycalendar

Jamaica Center Business Improvement District 2015 Annual Report

Digitizing Downtown Jamaica Center has focused on our digital communications strategy and outreach and as result our social media sites are flourishing.

We are partnering with DAQRI utilizing state of the art augmented reality technology for the marketing and promotion of our businesses and programs throughout the district. Next year we welcome wifi all throughout the corridor and already enjoy the connectivity throughout the summer at Rufus King Park.

Social Media & Newsletter * *

4,292 Contacts 3,200 Emails Sent

* *

1,328 Followers (up from 89) 1392% Annual Growth

* * *

11,280 Likes 45,845 “Checked-In�

35 new Likes weekly

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210 (up from 79) 165% Annual Growth

Jamaica Center Business Improvement District 2015 Annual Report

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Wayfinding Coming to #TheAve 8BZĕOEJOH XJMM TFSWF BT BO FďDJFOU directory to successfully assist shoppers and tourist who visit Downtown Jamaica in making their way to their favorite hotspots on #TheAve.

JBID Value Card The BID’s Value Card Program…

Shop, Explore. Enjoy! The program is a branding tool for businesses on Jamaica Avenue. The card is FREE for both businesses and consumers, and provides up to 20% discounts at your favorite stores on #TheAve. The program has distributed 1500 cards, 42 participating businesses, and continues to grow.

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Jamaica Center Business Improvement District 2015 Annual Report

Street Banner & Promotion JBID Banner Partnership Program The BID’s Banner Partnership Program is a sponsorship program implemented

by JBID highlighting the brands of companies that want to connect with the diverse community of Jamaica Queens.

This campaign of banners showcases images that richly represent the vibrant and historical corridors of Downtown Jamaica, History, Community, Culture, Shopping! Jamaica Center BID subsidizes the costs of the banners with additional special rates for companies that buy.

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Development Several new projects have moved forward this year in the district including new mixed-use, commercial, and hotel construction. t The Crossings, a 100,000 sq foot residential and retail project now under construction at Jamaica Station, which serves users of JFK, LIRR, and MTA. t Destination tenant properties being upgraded at key thoroughfares on 165-02 Jamaica Avenue and the other at 166-36 Jamaica Avenue. t 26-story, 240 room Hilton Garden Inn, 210 room, 24-story hotel and another boutique hotel nearby Jamaica Station to break ground this year. t School of Business at York College announced with Jamaica Now Plan.

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Statement of Financial Position*

Jamaica Center Business Improvement District 2015 Annual Report

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Statement of Activities*

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*Audit provided by Skody Scott & Company, CPA, P.C.

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Jamaica Center Business Improvement District 2015 Annual Report

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Jamaica Center Business Improvement District 2015 Annual Report

Looking Ahead Jamaica Center BID will continue to be a central information source for community residents, stakeholders, businesses, tourism and all of NYC looking for the happenings in Jamaica Queens.

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Based on your feedback throughout the year and survey results we are excited to launch new programs and services in the year ahead.

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Some of the BlD’s plans for the upcoming year include: t Active Design Project on Jamaica Avenue with Partnership for a Healthier Queens t Work to brighten the lighting throughout the area t Distribute shopping and dining neighborhood maps to hotels Develop

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marketing collateral for retail attraction Expand historical tour and launch ethnic food tours and other visitor attraction programing Host Roll Up the Gates Tours of Vacant Properties Welcome new retail, restaurants, students, residents and tourists Explore the launch of bike share or shuttle in downtown to better connect the several transportation nodes Conduct an economic impact study of the district Launch new cultural and educational programs to engage with residents and tourists Launch the Jamaica Flux 2016 art installation on the Jamaica Avenue storefronts and sidewallks Developing local food and historical tours in the district with CB 12 and GJDC

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BID Board of Directors Officers/Directors

Governmental Ex-Officio Directors

PRESIDENT Michael Hirschhorn Jenel Management

0ďDF PG .BZPS #JMM EF #MBTJP Maria Torres-Springer, Commissioner: (Department of Small Business Services)

VICE PRESIDENT Aaron Schwartz Francmen Realty LLC

Erik Antokal, Program Manager: Commercial Revitalization (Departmentof Small Business Services)

TREASURER Norman Fairweather First Presbyterian Church

0ďDF PG 2VFFOT #PSPVHI 1SFTJEFOU .FMJOEB ,BU[ Melva Miller, Director of Economic Development

SECRETARY Michael Mattone Mattone Group Jamaica

Shurn Anderson

Other Directors Jerry Black, Parsco Realty Rose Boord, Jamaica Paint BJ Group, Danice Stores Elia Hajjar, Venus Sales Daniel Kulka, KJL Realty Martin Marcelle, Carver Bank George Silva, J.W. Mays Harlan Wolfson, Elbentino

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0ďDF PG UIF /FX :PSL $JUZ $PNQUSPMMFS Scott Stringer Dev Awasthi

Staff Rhonda Binda Executive Director Valerie Stevens Marketing & Business Services Director

Jamaica Center Business Improvement District 2015 Annual Report

Stay Connected @JamaicaAve facebook.com/JamaicaAvenue @JamaicaAve www. jamaicacenter.org

For more information please contact us: 90-50 Parsons Blvd.

Suite 402 Jamaica, NY 11432 (718) JAMAICA info@jamaicacenter.org

Jamaica Center Business Improvement District 2015 Annual Report

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