Brooklyn's Progress
June 2003

Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) presented the Sunset Park Business Improvement District (SPBID) with a check in the amount of $180,000.  Velázquez successfully secured the federal funding to be used to revitalize and beautify 5th Avenue between 38th and 64th Streets, also known as the 5th Avenue Renaissance Project.  The entire area from 38th to 64th Street, which is within the largest national historic district in the northeast United States, is anticipating major reconstruction.  Renee Giordano, Executive Director for the SPBID and Steve Petros, President of the SPBID joined Congressman Velázquez  on May 5 in front of Ike's Party Store, 5118 5th Avenue for the check presentation.

The SPBID was created in 1995 to revitalize the 5th Avenue shopping strip of Sunset Park, one of the fastest growing immigrant communities in Brooklyn.  As a not-for-profit organization, it provides such services as sanitation, security, anti-graffiti, business promotion, outreach and advocacy, and fundraising.

By the Office of Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez