|
|
Economic Development:
History
 There simply is not enough economic development in business
districts in the
north & northwest Bronx. Through our experience with
the Jerome-Gun Hill BID and
the role we have played in advising
other merchants’ association, MPC is in an
ideal position to help these nascent business association’s achieve their goals
and to create a thriving commercial environment for northwest Bronx residents
and businesses.
Every
community requires a
thriving
business zone, a place
where residents can easily find
the goods and services necessary for a comfortable
life. From an early point
in its history, MPC,
extended
its efforts outside the realm of
housing development and began
to
explore issues of commercial access in the Norwood area. The Corporation
found
that concern over crime, which led many merchants to close their shops at dusk
and
on weekends, limited the
commercial viability of the
neighborhood.
MPC,’s
first project of economic revitalization was the development
of a security
network linking 40 area stores to a computerized surveillance system, a project
on which it collaborated with the local merchants association. MPC also obtained
a New York City Commercial Security Grant to help another area merchants
association in buying gates, fire doors and lighting, as well as to enter its
businesses into the security system.
In the 1990s, MPC worked with four
merchants’ associations helping them formulate their goals and objectives. Two
of those associations became part of the Jerome-Gun Hill Business Improvement
District, which MPC sponsored and continues to manage. Since 1996, the BID
continues to improve security measures in the area – in addition to providing
graffiti removal, sanitation services and promotional campaigns – with the goal
of maintaining a safe, attractive and convenient shopping zone for Norwood
residents to enjoy.
|
