Brooklyn's Progress
June/July 2005

By Harold Egeln

The construction of a major project in Brownsville got underway with a groundbreaking ceremony and celebration for a large home improvement center and the future new headquarters for Park Avenue Building and Roofing Supplies, LLC and AM&G Waterproofing, LLC.

"We have a great company," said AM&G and Park Avenue founder and President Gilbert Rivera during the groundbreaking on June 10. "We're taking our company to a new level, breaking ground here to grow at this new site and to reach out to new customers. Thanks for joining us to make this vision come true."

Brooklyn Chamber President Kenneth Adams, who was joined at the event under a huge tent with the Rivera family, city, state and federal officials and a host of business and community leaders, said, "This is really an amazing project.  This is a phenomenal event."

The new 132,000-square-foot facility at 2074 Atlantic Ave., at the corner of Saratoga Ave., at a cost of over $11 million, is scheduled to be opened late in 2006 and is funded by Banco Popular. 

"Gil embodies everything we look for. What a guy," said Chairman and CEO Richard Carrión of Popular, Inc. during the festivities. "He has a lot of heart, vision and hard work."

President Roberto R. Herencia of Banco Popular North America said  that the bank is "very proud" of Mr. Rivera's accomplishments, and that "at the core we are all in the same business, meeting individuals and building relations."

NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and other city agencies have been supportive of the new construction.  The New York City Department of Small Business Services, and Joe Chan of the Office of Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff have been instrumental in the project.

"Gil is constantly there, whether in the Bronx or Brooklyn," said Commissioner Robert Walsh of the NYC Department of Small Business Services, thanking him for his contributions to his revitalization of Brooklyn and the city. "This project is terrific."

Founded 112 years ago in Puerto Rico, Banco Popular, a subsidiary of Popular, Inc., was named one of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in 2005 by Fortune Magazine.  Banco Popular ranks among the top 10 Small Business Administration lenders in the country.

The project represents a major expansion of two family owned businesses, started by Gilbert Rivera and his family in the early 1980s. It is hailed as a big revitalization step in Brownsville, and will create 50 new jobs.

AM&G and Park Avenue have operated with great success for almost 20 years at 525 Park Ave. in Bedford-Stuyvesant, and have contributed much to business success and community improvement in Brooklyn, program speakers said, praising the work and commitment of the Rivera family to Brooklyn and its positive growth.

Gil Rivera, Mr. Adams noted, was born in Corozai, a town of 37,000 in Puerto Rico, and came with his family, when he was eight, to Brooklyn, settling in Bedford-Stuyvesant, where his future would be built. What he accomplished was celebrated by the Brooklyn Chamber when he was the honoree at its 2003 Dinner Dance.  Mr. Rivera is also the leader of the Brooklyn Chamber's effort on liability insurance reform.

"Over 20 years ago all he had was a pickup truck, $1,500 in his pocket and a dream," said Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, the ranking Democratic member on the House Small Business Committee. Mr. Rivera and his brothers bought an abandoned building back then. "He made it in Brooklyn. He decided to stay here to promote economic development and create new jobs.  Today everyone is coming to Brooklyn, because it's all happening in Brooklyn," she added.

Five formerly owned city lots and adjunct properties were also purchased.  The project has strong support from the Bloomberg Administration.  New York City Industrial Development Agency is providing financial assistance through sales and real estate tax benefits worth approximately $5.8 million over 25 years.

The attractive new center was designed by Lawless and Mangione Architects and Engineers, LLP. It will include the home improvement center store, supply yards, a metal shop, offices and off-the-street parking. The companies currently employ over 250 people.

AM&G is one of the city's premier exterior contractors, with clients that include Carneige Hall, Consolidated Edison, the San Remo Apartments in Central Park West, and many more.

Describing the process of purchasing and securing the property on which the new center is being built was William Howard, who worked with Rivera to make it all happen. He thanked Community Board 16 for its support in securing the properties, as he noted members from the board present at the ceremony, including Vice Chair James Bowens, who was the former chair, and member Viola Greene.

"Gil is the embodiment of the American Dream," said NYC Comptroller William Thompson, noting his involvement with the 73rd, 79th and 88th Precinct Community Council and in other areas, including the Prospect Park Alliance. "It's great for the city, for Brooklyn, and for the community," he went on to say about the project.

Both U.S. Representatives Edolphus Towns and his son, NYS Assemblyman Darryl Towns, praised the project as adding to Brooklyn's greatness and strength.

Happiest of all among all the happy people crowding the huge tent at the ceremony, shading them from the hot sun as enticing odors of food for the lunch that followed wiffed through, was Gil Rivera. He acknowledged the help of his wife, two sons and one daughter, his 12 brothers and sisters, his mother, his managers, supervisors and staff, loyal customers and vendors, and all present who are making the new Park Avenue Home Improvement Center become a reality and making Brownville a greater economic force in Brooklyn and the city.

"I want my companies to do on Atlantic Avenue what we did in Williamburg and Bedford-Stuyvesant, which is jump-start in what I see as the next area of growth," said Rivera. "I'd like to make something great happen here."