Flatbush Junction BID Leads Discussion On Cultural Assets & Economic Development Thursday

This Thursday May 19, potential ways to benefit from economic change in Flatbush will be discussed at the Livable Neighborhoods program, “Mapping Flatbush’s Cultural and Creative Assets.”

Presented by the Flatbush Junction BID, in concert with the Municipal Art Society and NYC Small Business Services, the event aims to help Flatbush residents more effectively leverage city government resources and advocate for their community.

The event will begin with a discussion on practical ways to address development issues—examining topics such as zoning and community agencies. Participants will continue with a crowd marking exercise; teams will explore local streets and observe key socio-economic issues, and then return for a discussion on how to build more inclusive relationships across cultures and languages in the neighborhood, like South Asian, Creole, or Yiddish.

The Flatbush Junction BID’s Livable Neighborhoods program hosts workshops designed to support community revitalization and economic development in the Flatbush Junction corridor — for local residents and businesses, along with Brooklyn college students and faculty.

“I think we’re going to get a lot of artists coming in,” said Kenneth Mbonu, executive director of the BID, “as we look to designs that help identify the character of the neighborhood.”

Thursday’s program aims to refocus community response to economic development, and develop a strategy that will benefit all residents. “Nobody is surprised when they see certain changes happen,” said Mbotu, “instead they can say ‘this is what’s happening, and this is what I can do to benefit from it.'”

“Mapping Flatbush’s Cultural and Create Assets” will take place on Thursday, May 19, from 9am to 1pm, at the Flatbush YMCA, 1401 Flatbush Ave, 1st floor.

For more information, visit The Flatbush Junction BID website or email info@flatbushjunctionbid.com