Flushing BID Holds Annual Meeting to Report on Past Year’s Work and Budget
The Flushing Business Improvement District (BID) held its annual meeting on June 13, 2024, to announce the usage of the budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year and report to the community on the past year’s work. They expressed their commitment to continuing efforts to enhance business safety and support for merchants in the future.
During the meeting, Executive Director of Flushing BID, Yu Dan-song, summarized the work of the past year, while the financial director and chair of the finance committee, Jimmy Lee, presented the budget and its usage.
Creating a positive business environment in the Flushing commercial district and maintaining the cityscape of Flushing are the main focus areas of Flushing BID. The sanitation workers of the BID take on tasks such as cleaning sidewalks, replacing trash bins, reporting instances of illegal garbage dumping, removing graffiti and illegal advertisements, thoroughly cleaning grease and stains from restaurant sidewalks, and clearing tree pits.
One of the central tasks of Flushing BID is to assist merchants in implementing diverse and effective marketing strategies. Over the past year, events such as Restaurant Week, Neighborhood Festivals, Lucky 7 Draw, Health Expos, Flushing Tours, and Food Tours were organized to boost the popularity of Flushing, expand business opportunities for merchants, and promote sales.
Public safety is of utmost concern to all merchants. Flushing BID has conducted public safety meetings with the Mayor’s Office, held meetings with the Mayor’s task force on combating retail theft, collaborated with the 109th precinct for community safety forums, and organized self-defense classes to raise awareness among merchants and address security vulnerabilities.
Yu Dan-song emphasized that the Flushing central district is a bustling commercial area and a major transportation hub. The pedestrian traffic on Main Street is second only to Times Square in New York City, and its proximity to the city’s two major airports gives it a geographical advantage. In the future, efforts will be made to attract more foreign tourists and residents from other parts of the city to experience the unique commercial and cultural charm of Flushing.
Furthermore, in response to the severe incidents of retail theft in New York City over the past year, Flushing BID will continue to prioritize enhancing public safety as an imperative responsibility to ensure a safe, secure, and peaceful environment for businesses and customers in Flushing.
Council Member Min-yi Huang of Flushing stated that combating illegal vending remains one of her top priorities. Legislation proposed by her has been approved by the City Council, imposing heavy fines on repeat offenders of illegal vending – $100 for the second violation and $500 for the third violation. She also sent a letter to Mayor Adams and the Commissioner of the Department of Sanitation on June 12, urging the allocation of more resources, intensification of law enforcement efforts, and improvement of the quality of life for residents.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Director Gu Ya-ming of the Community Affairs Bureau of the Mayor’s Office, the commanding officer of the Liaison Team for the Chief of Department of the New York City Police Department, Assistant Commissioner Lin Gui-an, and the commanding officer of the 109th precinct, Kevin Coleman, among others.