History & Accomplishments

From the Ground Up
A few words must be said about the leadership of the Association and the Franklin Avenue Commercial Revitalization Project headed by Evangeline Porter and Sarah Taylor. Ms. Eve and Ms. Sarah are a rare combination of keen intellect, insight, mother wit, common sense, empathy, and openness. Board members and others who have worked with them, know that they set for themselves high standards of excellence and are always striving tot do more and better. Ms. Eve, Ms. Sarah and core volunteers have demonstrated a profound commitment to the rebuilding of Crow Hill and have made enormous contributions as noted below.

Franklin Avenue (Eastern Parkway to Atlantic Avenue)
In 1999, the Association created the Franklin Avenue Commercial Revitalization Project to spur the physical, economic, educational and cultural development of Franklin Avenue, Between Eastern Parkway and Atlantic Avenue. Thus, Franklin Avenue is at the center of the Association's community and economic development activities in the target area.

This stretch of Franklin consists of 22 city blocks, and includes a variety of small business mostly owned and/or operated by foreign-born merchants.

This stretch of Franklin also in close proximity to world-class institutions such as the Brooklyn Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Prospect Park, and the Brooklyn Children's Museum. Transportation is excellent to-and-from the target area.

Some of the problems: Over the years, structural, economic and social life changes, a decline and devaluation of grassroots participation in civic life, a rise in illicit activities, combined with troubling educational and economic systems, have devastated this area. As you read about the Association's Accomplishments, it is clear that it has come up with demonstrated. Innovative strategies to turnaround the devastation.

To begin, the group had agreed to: Franklin Avenue (continued)

• Lead the development by demonstration in order to raise the level of knowledge of the residents and about the power they possess to improve on the dilapidated condition of the area.
• Upgrade Franklin Avenue's infrastructure and storefronts of local merchants on Franklin.
• Encourage intergroup relations in order to adapt to the challenges and opportunities in the Crow Hill community so that all inhabitants can enjoy a high quality of life.

In 1999 when the Project started, there were a total of 90 local storefronts on Franklin. Sixty-nine (69) were occupied and 21 were closed. Today, Franklin is moving forward. In early 2003, there are 108 local storefronts and 17 are vacant.

Accomplishments: 2002 Ð 2003 (Phase II)

• The Association raised a significant amount of funds from New York City Department of Small Business Services and utilized funds already raised from the Dormitory Authority of New York State primarily for commercial revitalization and capital improvements on Franklin Avenue.
• Since July, 1999, the Association engaged and worked with contractors to upgrade 32 storefronts of local merchants. The upgrading involved the installation of Awnings (burgundy), Mesh Grille Security Gates, Security Cameras, and/or Window Glass.
• Thirty-three (33) local merchants contributed a respectable amount of funds toward facade improvements.
• Assemblyman Roger L. Green is making it possible for the installation of decorative, Street Lights on Franklin (Eastern Parkway to Atlantic Avenue) sometime in year 2003. The Lights will also reflect more lighting on the sidewalks.
• The Association engaged Graffiti Answers Service Company to remove Graffiti from buildings on Franklin Avenue and from other structures such as mailboxes and fire hydrants.
• June 22, 2002, the Association conducted a Big Sweep-Up of over 25 blocks in its target area with the help of Brooklyn's District Attorney's Office, the Sanitation and Police Departments, and local merchants and residents.
• In year 2002, local merchants hired summer youths.
• October, 2002, Franklin Avenue underwent resurfacing.
• November, 2002, 34 trees were planted on- and around Franklin Avenue.
• April, 2003, jumpstarts Greenspace-Sanitation Initiative on Franklin (Adopt-A-Tree, Adopt-A-Basket, and Sanitation programs.
• Convinced Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens to build housing for a senior citizens on the grounds of the former Monastery (Saint John's Place at Bedford Avenue). The Monastery Senior Housing (15 St. John's Place) opened in April 2003 and occupied by senior citizens.
• Street Banners are being designed for Franklin Avenue and will be erected sometime in 2003.
• Lincoln Place reconfigured (between New York and Underhill Avenues).
• A Street Light was installed on Franklin Avenue at Lincoln Place.
• Established working relationships with Prospect Park Alliance, the New York Tree Trust, and the Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation's Senior Connection Program.

Accomplishments 2004-2005-2006

• Garbage receptacles placed on every corner from Eastern Parkway to Atlantic.
• Resurfacing and removal of potholes on St. John's Place from underhill to N.Y Avenue.
• Tree guards being installed on St. John's, St. Francis, and St. Charles in October. (through Marty Markowitz) boro President.
• Worked closely with Dept. of Sanitation to issue summons for unswept sidewalks and building fronts.
• Moved meeting site to 705 Franklin Ave. for convenience of the area

Accomplishments: 1999 Ð 2001 (Phase I)

• The Association raised a significant amount of funds from the New York City Department of Business Services and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York for project assistance and related community and economic development activities in the target area.
• Seven storefronts of local merchants were upgraded with awnings and security gates.
• Trees were planted on Franklin Avenue (between Eastern Parkway and Atlantic Avenue).
• The Environmental Protection Agency installed water and sewer lines in target area.
• The Board of Health fined unsanitary merchant
• City installed additional bus shelters and mailboxes in target area.
• The Association contributed masks, water, etc. to the World Trade Center disaster.
• The Association established productive relationships and partnerships with various institutions working in the areas of community and economic development.
• Articles about the Association's work appeared in Crain's New York (12/00) and several times in Our Time Press (e.g., October, 2002 edition)

Greenspace-Sanitation Initiative on Franklin Avenue (Phase III)
The subject Initiative is projected to begin in April, 2003. The Association will engage the Washington Avenue Merchants Association to lead this Initiative which is based on the model currently in place on Washington Avenue. The Initiative will involve plantings of greenery, caring for trees, and developing sanitation programs to be carried out by residents and merchants.

Local Merchants
Many of the local merchants conducting business in Crow Hill's target area are members of the Association and have made financial contributions toward facade improvements along Franklin Avenue and its environs. Merchants' contributions, along with funds raised by the Association, have been pooled together to support efforts to revitalize the target area in the Crow Hill community. The Association's partnership with local merchants has grown out a strategy of inclusion of the whole community and is producing visible and lasting results. The vitality of Crow Hill community depends largely on the participation of business people in the area. So, the Association is exceedingly pleased that many of the local merchants have demonstrated their commitment to work with the Association to shape the economic, physical, and social life of this community and are thereby helping themselves as well. A hearty congratulations to these merchants. A listing of the merchants' business is on Page 9.

Services to Seniors
Over the years, members of the Association have provided assistance to the elderly in the community. Members have helped seniors to understand and complete business papers such as enrollment in the State's Star Program, Access-A-Ride and HEAP; accompany seniors to doctors' appointments and community meetings. The Association invites professionals to our meetings who are working in areas that deal with the elderly to share vital information.

The Association's relationship with the Chase Manhattan Bank and its Christmas in April Program enabled some seniors to have repairs done on and in their homes. For example, basements and backyards were cleaned; in one home, a kitchen was painted and wallpapered; stoops were scraped and painted, flowers planted, etc.

Finances
The Association operates on a shoe-string budget in the truest since of the word. Major funds raised from institutions and local merchants support the Association-sponsored Franklin Avenue Commercial Revitalization Project and a minimal amount goes toward operations. Similarly, supported provided by local merchants and the small contributions from the membership helps with operational support. The Association's financial records have been audited with resounding results. We would be pleased to share more details about our finances with founders and the membership.