MARP: Bringing Main Street “Feel” to Myrtle Avenue
Posted on 21. Jan, 2010 by Krishan Manners in Agents of Change
Ten years ago, I visited Myrtle Avenue for the first time. Having recently moved to Clinton Hill, I ventured out to learn what businesses and services were convenient to my home. I quickly decided that rather than walk down a dirty street, much of it boarded up and disfigured with graffiti, I would just drag what I needed home with me on the subway from Manhattan, which was closer to my apartment anyway. Myrtle Avenue had nothing to attract me and, as a result, it was seven years later when next I visited Myrtle Avenue. I was surprised to find it was clean, felt safe and revitalized, with many new shops and restaurants. I became curious about what could change an entire street so remarkably in such a short time?
My question was answered this year, when I began volunteering for the Fulton Area Business Alliance (FAB) and learned of the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership*, the organization made up of both a Business Improvement District (BID) and the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project Local Development Corporation (MARP). The annual operating budget comes from monetary assessments charged to those commercial property owners and their tenants that fall within the BID’s boundaries. Funds collected are then spent on needs as marketing, beautification, sanitation and security with to improve the shopping district and business environment.
As one working with FAB, which is a new BID, I leaped at the opportunity to participate in an exploration of their success. Today while speaking with Michael Blaise Backer, the executive director, I asked more about MARP and the BID that it oversees on Myrtle Avenue.
What was the situation on Myrtle that spurred the creation of MARP?
In 1999, Myrtle was inundated with graffiti, empty storefronts, boarded-up or abandoned buildings and trash on the streets. Several community leaders realized that something had to be done to revitalize Myrtle Avenue. Starting as a committee at Fort Greene Strategic Neighborhood Action Partnership (SNAP), MARP grew into its own non-profit local development corporation through the leadership of some local academic institutions, banks, foundations, merchants and property owners.
Gnarly Vines wine tasting
What was MARP’s goal in the beginning and how has that changed?
Initially, the emphasis was to remove graffiti and garbage as well as lowering the retail vacancy rate by attracting new businesses to Myrtle to improve the retail mix and increase foot traffic. We accomplished this by responding to inquiries, cold-calling types of businesses that were missing from our mix and utilizing our board members as “ambassadors.” More businesses and people made the Avenue feel safer, which helped address both the realities and perceptions of crime on Myrtle. We wanted to make the strip serve as a place where people in the neighborhood could get all their retail and service needs met, while maintaining a diverse price point to address the area’s economic diversity and provide local employment opportunities. Having achieved some success, we’ve been able to take on additional issues like improving public spaces and pedestrian safety, while attracting new businesses to enhance the retail mix. Additionally, incentives were used such as smaller store front grants and the state-funded New York Main Street Grant.
Who are your partners? What are their roles?
Our partners are many and varied, from Fort Greene SNAP, Pratt Institute, Pratt Center for Community Development, Society for Clinton Hill, Fort Greene Association, the Historic Wallabout Association, BAM, to many banks, businesses, and funders. Some partners provide key funding or in-kind support that helps us to continue operating our programs, while others collaborate on specific initiatives, events, or outreach efforts. There are many more and they are all an integral part of our success.
What’s the vision for Myrtle Avenue?
We’re continuing to fill vacant storefronts and assisting current businesses to adapt to changes in both the neighborhood and the economy. We’re working on the design for major pedestrian improvements and a public plaza between Hall and Emerson. Construction should begin in 2011. We’re also working with the MTA and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to make the B54 bus more reliable by evaluating how the street and curb are being used. For example, one idea being discussed is the addition of commercial loading zones on some blocks to reduce double parking and improve traffic flow. Our vision is to make Myrtle Avenue the Main Street shopping district it was originally intended to be.
What actions would you recommend/deem crucial to a new Business Improvement District (BID) such as FAB?
It’s important to immediately open a good line of communication with merchants, property owners and residents. Because much of the work BIDs do requires planning to implement, we have to keep the members informed of what we are working on and that their money is being well-spent, even during times when there are no visible physical improvements taking place. Also, attracting new businesses to vacant storefronts is crucial. It brings more foot traffic and gets both residents and existing business owners excited that new investment and services are arriving.
It’s also important to never neglect the basic BID services, such as keeping sidewalks clean, graffiti removed, etc. These items are expensive to provide on a consistent basis, but vital to attracting private investment and businesses. Keeping the physical condition of the avenue well-maintained makes everything else possible.
How have the businesses on Myrtle benefitted from MARP?
They have benefitted from the 50-plus businesses that we have helped bring to the Avenue, dramatically reducing the vacancy rate and attracting more shoppers to the area. MARP members have benefitted from increased foot traffic due in part to a more diverse mix of businesses. Every new quality shop or service attracts people to the Avenue, helping both the existing and new merchants. They have also benefitted from our storefront improvement grants, marketing campaigns, events, public relations efforts and many of the other programs we run. Most of Myrtle’s business owners understand that we’re in this together and that the condition of the avenue as a whole impacts their bottom line.
How have the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill neighborhoods benefitted?
Providing much-needed neighborhood services is critical to the success of an urban environment. Often, it takes a retail corridor much longer to revitalize than the residential blocks, yet it is the businesses themselves that help to make the community “feel” like a neighborhood. By bringing more businesses and people to Myrtle, crime has dropped and Myrtle feels much safer. We’ve planted street trees to provide greenery and shade. And creating more local retail jobs to employ students and entry-level job seekers generates more disposable income that helps the local economy. Everyone benefits.
How have those communities helped MARP succeed?
The communities have helped by spending money on Myrtle and supporting new shops and services. The Avenue primarily consists of small, independently-owned businesses and they need customers in the neighborhood to shop locally as much as possible.
Also, the residents help by attending our events, such as Move about Myrtle, our four Sunday pedestrian street event this past September.
Groundbreaking for the Pratt Store, 2003
What can individual business/property owners do to help MARP be successful?
They must continue to invest in their own business, keep their storefronts clean, open and welcoming, participate whenever possible in programs and events, attend the BID’s annual meeting and share their feedback with us. Their participation is crucial to the revitalization’s success.
Are there any changes coming to Myrtle in 2010 that you can share?
We’re working on the installation of the prototype of a new tree guard to be both decorative and protect the trees with industrial designers at Pratt, as well as the installation of new temporary sculpture as part of our Public Art Program. Also, Pratt’s new academic building at 524 Myrtle Avenue should be opening in the fall of 2010, bringing thousands of students and faculty to Myrtle Avenue on a daily basis.
Can you use volunteers? If so, how can someone help out?
We love having volunteers and are very grateful for their help, particularly during our outdoor events. People with specific skills, such as artists, lawyers, and technology or marketing experts are always helpful. We would love to be able to pair them with businesses which may not have the funds to otherwise hire them. Those wishing to volunteer can always contact us through our website, www.myrtleavenue.org, or by emailing info@myrtleavenue.org.
*The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership is the umbrella organization made up of the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Business Improvement District (BID) and the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project Local Development Corporation (MARP).
