Programs & services

CLEAN STREETS

This year, the BID's sanitation crew logged over 17,000 hours removing 1,100 tons of litter that filled nearly 50,000 trash bags from Jamaica Avenue - that's 3 tons of garbage every day.

Supplemental Sanitation

Continuing a sixteen-year track record of providing stellar service, Jamaica Center BID’s sanitation contractor, Academic Stone, provides continuous, daily cleaning of more than two miles of sidewalks. Throughout the day, every day, the six-member full-time sanitation crew sweeps the sidewalks; bag, re-line, and clean the district’s 73 trash receptacles; and cart the trash to a NYC Department of Sanitation site.

BEAUTIFICATION & Maintenance

Every year, the BID power washes and removes gum deposits from the district's brick sidewalks. The labor-intensive and difficult task of removing gum deposits along two miles of sidewalk pays off with pristine brocks that look new. In total this year, 162,000 square feet of sidewalk was cleaned and gum-free.

Throughout the year, the BID spearheads large-scale graffiti removal initiatives. By tracking and reporting graffiti incidents throughout the district, collecting waiver forms in bulk, and taking advantage of a city-sponsored graffiti removal program - Graffiti Free NYC – the BID has recently facilitated graffiti removal from dozens of buildings in the district. The impact is immediate and the rapid response to getting graffiti removed in bulk, go a long way in deterring graffiti artists from targeting the district.

The sanitation crew continuously removes posters, stickers, and signs from the more than 100 streetlights, parking meters, kiosks, mailboxes and fireboxes throughout the district. This year, the crew removed 20,000 posters, stickers, and signs. In addition, the  BID also works to ensure the sidewalks are maintained and clear of snow during inclement weather.

MARKETING & PROMOTION

Ambassador Program

Every Saturday from March through December, our Greeter meets shoppers visiting from as far away as Michigan and North Carolina. The Greeter distributes our signature shopping bags and a district Map & Guide. In addition to the giveaways, our Ambassador gives directions, provides general information, and most importantly, greets everyone with a warm smile.

Shopper's Map & Guide

The BID publishes a Jamaica Center Map & Guide. This year, the BID distributed 10,000 guides. The Map & Guides highlight the district's stores and points of interest in the area. Along with the Guides, the BID gave away 25,000 Jamaica Center "It's In The Bag" shopping bags. Their distinctive color, size and design make them easily identifiable and are a "hot item" on the Avenue.

special events

Special events have served to attract new visitors, change public perception, and enliven the district. Events also serve to foster a sense of community and create a more engaging experience for visitors. Throughout the year, the BID hosts a number of free events.

Last summer, the BID hosted four, free walking tours that gave visitors a chance to experience Jamaica as never before. Launched in 2000, the Walking Tours offer special insight to Jamaica's secrets and are a wonderful opportunity to discover the area's rich history.

Learning about the district’s rich past while experiencing Jamaica’s vibrant energy of today – has delighted visitors for years. Response has been overwhelmingly positive for those interested in learning about the district’s 350-year history. The BID works collaboratively with local organizations to gain access to special sites. All tours are FREE. See "News & Events" for an updated schedule of events.

Throughout the year, shoppers and merchants enjoy Sidewalk SalesDays – long weekends where merchants bring the savings outdoors. Sidewalk SalesDays allow merchants to display merchandise outside their stores, attract new shoppers, and generate additional sales. Check "News & Events" for an updated schedule of events.

When the weather cools and the holiday season picks up, the BID hosts SantaLand - a monthlong event where children and their families can have their photo taken with Santa and share their Christmas wish list. Located at the Jamaica Multiplex ground floor lobby on Jamaica Avenue at Parsons Blvd. Check "News & Events" for an updated schedule of events.

Banner & Holiday lights Program

The BID’s seasonal banner program creates a unified look for the district. The 52 banners that line the district are switched out four times a year with seasonally themed designs. The banners enhance the look of the street and create a strong identity for the district.

Every year during the holidays, the BID installs decorative lights along Jamaica Avenue & Union Hall Street. This last winter, the BID updated its holiday lighting program, adding new elegant streamer lights, three giant snowflakes at major intersections, and two lit “Welcome to Jamaica Center” signs. The displays lit up the district at night and created a festive holiday shopping atmosphere.

Advertising

The BID actively advertises and promotes Jamaica Center via print advertising, bus advertising, direct mailing, radio and public relations efforts. The BID has partnered with other local organizations to promote the district's retail & cultural attractions.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

District Advocacy

The BID is an active and powerful advocate for the district. One success for the BID has been the successful push for the replacement of the district's outdated and dilapidated light poles. The poles are expected to be replaced in late 2011.

Business Assistance & Retail Development

Retail is Jamaica Avenue's core business. The BID works one-on-one to provide business assistance to current merchants and hosts events specially targeted toward helping our business community. Whether it's helping independent owners find small business loans, soliciting input on group marketing initiatives, or assisting with city services or agency issues, the BID is there to help.

In addition, the BID works to educate the retail community and highlight opportunities in the district by working on retail marketing materials for the district, maintaining a vacancy list, and providing demographic and statistical data of the district and the community.

Community Development

The BID is a strong supporter of many local community organizations.

For youth development, the BID supports the Midori Foundation for special music programs for children, is a strong supporter of Jamaica Kids (a non-profit day care center located in the Joseph P. Addabbo Social Security Building), and donates to the King Manor Museum's educational and cultural programs.

We continue to support the 103rd Community Council's National Night Out and Children's Holiday Party, and contribute to local soup kitchens during the holiday season.