Business

Sunset Park BID keeps on booming

April 30, 2018 Jaime DeJesus

BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/file photo

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Sunset Park can expect lots of excitement along Fifth Avenue this year.

Interim Executive Director Cathy Williams, who has been with the Sunset Park Business Improvement District (BID) for five years, is building on the foundation that was set by former Executive Director Renee Giordano, who retired earlier this year after two decades.

The BID has always been famous for its parties and events for locals and that tradition will continue, Williams stressed.

“The Sunset Park BID has been hard at work in our preparation for our annual DOT-partnered Weekend Walks/Summer Plazas that will be held on Saturday, June 23 and Saturday, June 30,” she told this paper. “This fun event begins at 12 p.m. and goes until 4 p.m. from 39th Street to 41st Street on Fifth Avenue. We are looking forward to fun activities like the NYPD rock wall, a vintage bus from the MTA and various games and rides.”

In addition, on June 21, the BID will welcome the annual Make Music NY event featuring a variety of performances on stages set up along the strip. Originally conceived by Aaron Friedman, who was inspired to create a similar celebration when he saw the 2006 Fête de la Musique in Paris, Make Music Day takes place in various venues around the city.

The strip’s annual Street Festival is also a huge part of what the BID offers its neighbors. This year, the event will be held on Sunday, September 16 along Fifth Avenue from 44^th to 59^th Street.

According to the BID, “Hundreds of vendors, local businesses and not-for-profits set up stands to offer their goods and services. Festival-goers can enjoy bargains in ethnic foods, ethnic music, jewelry, clothing, gift items, toys, pony rides, games and massages, along with free popcorn, cotton candy, face paintings, balloons, pretzels, spin art, bounce rides, hula hoops and general information from elected officials and local organizations.”

New businesses are also arriving. On Saturday, April 21, the BID hosted a grand opening for Modern MD Urgent Care, 5202 Fifth Avenue. The event for the new medical facility featured live music, art, games and giveaways.

Fifth Avenue just also recently saw the soft opening of a new Carvel Ice Cream location. “It’s delicious,” added Williams.

The BID also continues to grow online. Its official Facebook page has nearly 7,000 likes and includes tons of interaction, such as photos and videos of happenings around the neighborhood, as well as online contests which challenge residents to guess the correct answer, for a chance to win merchandise from local merchants, and more. In addition, the BID’s new website has tons of detail about events, businesses and more.

The BID’s wifi — installed several years ago to increase connectivity for residents and businesses — has also been a special aspect of the neighborhood. It is currently in the process of being upgraded, which means some areas, like the park, don’t have wifi at the moment, but it will be coming soon.

For more information on the BID, visit sunsetparkbid.org.