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Programs & services
CLEAN STREETS |
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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.
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Supplemental Sanitation |
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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.
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BEAUTIFICATION & Maintenance |
A high priority for the BID is to beautify the district and ensure it is well-maintained. This year, the BID purchased and installed forty-two new trash receptacles along Jamaica Avenue. The BID retained the more functional and attractive black, fluted trash receptacles and replaced the district's other cans with attractive, higher quality and more functional new cans. The lid on each new can is banded with the BID and sponsor’s logo, and the cans are cleaned throughout the day by the BID’s sanitation contractor. Clean, uniform, and branded, the new cans have had a tremendous impact on Jamaica Avenue.
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.
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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.
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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.
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| This year, the BID distributed
25,000 shopping bags and 10,000 Map & Guides, and
hosted 73 special events. |
Ambassador Program |
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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.
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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. |

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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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Last year, the BID's sanitation crew removed 1,500 tons of garbage from Jamaica Avenue and Union Hall St.
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