Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(Fort Greene, Brooklyn, February 16, 2005) - Myrtle Avenue received a Valentine’s Day gift this week when the Department of Transportation began the installation of historic-style street lights on February 14. The lights will be placed along the commercial corridor between Flatbush Avenue Extension and Classon Avenue, and are expected to take up to 2 months to fully install assuming the weather cooperates.

“We are pleased to see the installation of the lights get underway,” said Michael Blaise Backer, Executive Director of the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project LDC (MARP), “and are very thankful to Borough President Markowitz for stepping in to make sure this project went through as originally planned. This is the icing on the cake to all the exciting developments we have experienced in recent months, from Mayor Bloomberg’s signing of the new Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Business Improvement District into law to the grand opening of the 15,000 square foot Prattstore. The historic street lights will help provide a stylistic unity to the area and aid in our mission to restore the avenue to its original prominence.”

The street lights were originally approved as a $525,000 project in 2001 by then Brooklyn Borough President, Howard Golden. Unforeseen delays in the project caused a cost increase of $148,000, which was provided by current Borough President, Marty Markowitz. “Thanks to the dedication of local merchants and residents, Myrtle Avenue is looking better than ever, and I’m proud to make this majestic boulevard a little more beautiful by providing funding for classic streetlights,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “The bars, shops and restaurants that now line Myrtle Avenue from Carlton Avenue all the way down to Bedford Avenue and beyond mean one thing — the best days for Fort Greene and Clinton Hill are ahead of us.”

The new streetlights also offer an opportunity for MARP to expand its banner sponsorship program, in which New York-based companies pay for an annual sponsorship of banners on the avenue to help support MARP’s Business Attraction & Retention program and the marketing of local events. Sponsor will also have their logos placed on MARP’s revamped website, to be launched shortly at www.myrtleavenue.org.

MARP’s work to date has focused on providing technical assistance and support to merchants and property owners on the avenue, and improving the mix of retail services in order to attract local shoppers. Examples of MARP’s programs include street maintenance, graffiti removal, publishing a local shopping guide, design and monetary assistance for new awnings and façade improvements, and organizing merchant workshops on such topics as energy conservation and small business loans. The recently-approved BID will join with MARP to continue this agenda and expand it to include such additions as a new, enhanced website and shopping directory, increased sanitation services, holiday lighting and a streetscape improvement program.

Contact:
Michael Blaise Backer, Executive Director
Amy Sauertieg, Communications Coordinator
718-230-1689