Brooklyn's Progress
August 2004

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Robert W. Walsh presented honors to Brooklyn Designs and 10 other recipients of the 2004 New York City Neighborhood Development Achievement Awards at Gracie Mansion on July 22.  The awards, established in honor of the late, former SBS Assistant Commissioner Barbara Wolff, are given to neighborhood organizations that have demonstrated excellence, partnership and creativity in enhancing New York City’s business environment and quality of life. Director of Community Affairs for Citibank Jacqueline Arrington, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Con Edison Eugene McGrath were also in attendance to present the awards; Con Edison and Citibank underwrote this year’s award ceremony.

“Neighborhoods are built by building great partnerships,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “I am delighted to recognize the creative work of these fine organizations who have worked collaboratively with government to increase opportunities and improve the quality of life in neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs. Tonight, we celebrate their achievements, both large and small, that have contributed to making New York City great.”

“When small businesses work together with the community to improve their neighborhoods, the results can be phenomenal,” said SBS Commissioner Walsh. “Today’s award recipients have each shown an exemplary spirit of teamwork and commitment that is a shining example to be replicated. SBS is committed to providing the support and leadership to local groups to make sure that each of our neighborhoods is an excellent place to live and do business.”

New York City’s business improvement districts, local development corporations and other local organizations nominated projects in six award categories listed below. Under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner of Neighborhood Development Mark Newhouse, SBS administered the nomination, evaluation and selection process in collaboration with the selection committee of Jeff Finkle of the International Economic Development Council, Sharon Greenberger of the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding, Frances Resheshke of Con Edison, Dr. Mitchell Moss of New York University, and Hector Ramirez of Citibank.

Brooklyn Chamber Member projects were selected in two of the categories.  Karen Auster was the winner for Brooklyn Designs in the category Promotions & Marketing - Outstanding Achievement.

Brooklyn Designs, launched in 2003 by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn, features Brooklyn’s best contemporary home and office furnishing designers over the course of a three-day exhibition. The inaugural show drew 30 exhibitors and attracted over 3,000 visitors.  Praised in the media and featured in several trade and consumer magazines, the event grew for the 2004 show, adding a second location that provided enough space for 45 designers and a crowd of more than 5,200 visitors.

Chamber Member Rhonda Lewis, Bridge St. Development Corporation, accepted the award for the Brooklyn project winner in the category Community Development – Outstanding Achievement.

The Stuyvesant Heights Condominiums, completed in May 2004, now stand in place of an empty building.  By the time the Bridge Street Development Corporation took on the Herculean task of restoring the 112-year-old Romanesque Revival/French Renaissance structure on 380 Lewis Ave., it had been abandoned for over a decade. The yearlong project has produced eight light-filled, high-quality, affordable condominiums for low to moderate-income residents.