GatewayJFK holds Spring Clean-up & launches area beautification program.
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Just in time for spring GatewayJFK, is launching a new neighborhood beautification program. To kickoff of the program GatewayJFK is holding a 2-day cleanup on Wed. March 20th and Thurs. March 21st, where 10 workers will go over every street, sidewalk and median in the 215-acre district to make sure that the neighborhood is thoroughly cleaned.
The cleanup is being directed by Wildcat Services who provide transitional employment and vocational training to public assistance recipients, justice-involved individuals and residents of homeless shelters. After the Spring Clean-up event Wildcat’s staff, recognizable in their bright green shirts; will continue to work in the district on a weekly basis to provide street and sidewalk cleaning, trash removal, graffiti removal, and landscaping services.
“This is the perfect time to hold this event.” Said Scott Grimm-Lyon, Executive Director of GatewayJFK. “Spring Cleanings help us enjoy the nice weather and by cleaning the neighborhood, the workers and residents of the area will be able to take pride in their community and feel like this is a place that’s cared for, healthy, and economically sound.”
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GatewayJFK Reports 250+ Potholes to NYC for Repair.
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This month GatewayJFK has documented and reported over 250 potholes, broken curbs, and other problems in the business improvement district. All issues have been reported to the City, and GatewayJFK is working with the NYC DOT to track and monitor the status of repairs.
“We are going to have the City fill every single pothole, plant a tree in every empty tree pit, and fix the other problems with our streets and sidewalks.” said Scott Grimm-Lyon, Executive Director of GatewayJFK.
Due to the commercial nature of the neighborhood, which includes a lot of heavy truck traffic, potholes are an ongoing problem. This is the first effort GatewayJFK has made to report all potholes in the district at once, and work with the city to implement district wide repairs. Once the initial round of repairs are complete, GatewayJFK plans to continue tracking and reporting issues in the neighborhood.
To help in these efforts GatewayJFK has developed a quality of life tool to help workers and residents report potholes and other issues including flooding, downed telephone poles, abandoned vehicles, and illegal dumping on their website at gatewayjfk.org.
The tool helps GatewayJFK track the problems in the community and improve response times from government agencies. “We help our members by navigating government relationships and spending our staff time to solve problems that they may not have time to deal with,” said Grimm-Lyon.
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Take our Traffic Study Survey!
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In January, GatewayJFK began working with the engineering firm Philip Habib & Associates (PHA) on Phase 1 in the development of a comprehensive transportation plan. Now PHA is conducting a survey to gather input from people who live, work, and own a business in the area. There are three separate surveys for people who manage a business, work, and/or live in Springfield Gardens/GatewayJFK area.
If you manage a business you can take the survey here.
If you work in the area you can take the survey here.
If you live in the area you can take the survey here.
The plan will look at all of the ways our businesses, employees and residents use the local streets and it will make recommendations on ways we can improve mobility, help traffic congestion, improve safety for pedestrians and vehicular traffic, find solutions to truck circulation and overnight parking, and improve employee and residential parking. |
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OUR COMMUNITY'S VOICE:
Black History Month & Beyond!
By: Sadiqa Codrington
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In honor of Black History Month & Beyond, we are dedicating the next series of articles to our residents and neighbors living in GatewayJFK for over 20/30yrs! With over 20/30 years of history in the newly formed GatewayJFK, there are so many great people, stories and rich culture in this historical community.
Before we begin, let’s highlight some other news and exciting events that took place back in 2018 and over the past few months. It has been a mild fall and winter compared to previous years. So, the community is already seeing some benefits and improvements throughout the district in full effect.
In September 2018 the SpringJam Civic Association had their Annual Community Outreach Event which was sponsored by The GatewayJFK Board of Directors. The event brought out a lot of the residents for a good time and a fun-filled day with family, community leaders and friends.
I was there on behalf of GatewayJFK Executive Committee and distributed more information and updates to the community. I also informed the youth in the community about our very own local scholarship opportunity available called, The GRC Scholarship! The scholarship is offered to applicants and participants of the SSSe, Inc. Play For A Cure Scholarship Tournament which is open to all ages and non-profit organizations. I had a signup sheet available for all those interested in learning more. More details about the scholarship and softball tournament will be available in a separate article.
Co-Chair and SpringJam President, Kim Lawton and her team from the SpringJam E-Board were instrumental in getting the entire day and event off to a great start. They provided food, fun activities for the whole family and FREE prizes, such as backpacks for the kids and various raffle prizes for the bigger kids! Overall, the event was a success and everyone had a great time!
Although, many residents are seeing the improvements in their area, unfortunately there are still some areas that have serious issues and concerns. Security and safety are on the top of the list. A family approached me at the community outreach event and wanted to share their concerns about strangers loitering and breaking into their car twice. Despite having signs and surveillance cameras, this is an issue we all need to address immediately!
Other residents like Ms. Deborah Wiggens and Ms. Veronica Davis aka “Dawn” were please to report that they noticed the cleaning up and removal of trash and debris in areas that were unsightly. That is great to hear some positive news thanks to Wildcat, our Sanitation Contractors, recently started working with us in January 2019.
Major traffic from the tracker trailers have been less of a hassle during morning commutes mentioned another resident. The process has already begun with our Transportation Study Consulting Firm. They began the research and the first phase of the process at the end of last year 2018. We all are looking forward to more good news and improvements in the future for GatewayJFK!
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“Our Community's Voice" is an ongoing column in the GatewayJFK Newsletter that highlights the experience of residents and workers in our community. If you would like to tell us your story please contact us at info@gatewayjfk.org
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Look for GatewayJFK at the
JFK Air Cargo EXPO 2019
Thursday, March 28th, 2019
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GatewayJFK will be participating as an exhibitor at the JFK Air Cargo EXPO 2019. This year’s event marks the events 20th Anniversary; it will be held on March 28th at Russo’s on the Bay in nearby Howard Beach, Queens, New York.
Ms. Suzy Wardle, Head of Digital & Distribution, Virgin Atlantic Airways Cargo will be the EXPO Luncheon Keynote Speaker. A well-accomplished industry executive, Suzy will provide her unique and cutting edge views on digitization, business simplification, e-commerce, and the future of customer interaction.
The EXPO begins with Opening Remarks from Charles Everett, General Manager of John F. Kennedy International Airport, followed by the EXPO Panel Session entitled “Connecting Air Cargo’s Dots”.
Brandon Fried, Executive Director of the Airforwarder’s Association will moderate a panel of industry experts which include Joseph Cipolla, Senior Director - Global Airfreight, Crane Worldwide Logistics, Mike Minear, Managing Member of Airport Properties Solutions, LLC, Rene Espinet, Vice President of Global Partnerships, Forwardair, and Ruth Lamdan, North America & Mexico Commercial Manager, CAL Cargo Airlines.
GatewayJFK will have a table in the EXPO Exhibition section, which features scores of exhibitors from all segments of the industry displaying their products and services. As an EXPO exhibitor we will have a direct face-to-face interaction and networking with GatewayJFK members, airlines, freight forwarders, and other air cargo industry key decision-makers in a dedicated and focused environment.
Tickets are still available. See the link below for more details.
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Help GatewayJFK Fight Illegal Dumping
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GatewayJFK is working with local business owners, residents, DSNY, and the NYPD to stop illegal dumping in the area.
GatewayJFK is working to make sure that garbage is removed from the street quickly and in a way that will have as little impact on business as possible.
If you experience illegal dumping near your business or home, or if you have any information related to illegal dumping in the area please contact Scott Grimm-Lyon the Executive Director of GatewayJFK at 516-730-3400 or by email at scott@gatewayjfk.org.
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Buy a Banner on Rockaway Blvd.
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GatewayJFK is seeking sponsors for our banner program.
Each sponsor will have their company logo will be displayed for one full-year on the lower portion of the banner. Logo will make up to 57,000 daily impressions. Sponsoring a single banner will cost $1000.00, and sponsoring 3 or more banners will cost $750.00 per banner. GatewayJFK is a 501 c3 not for profit organization and all sponsorships are tax-deductible.
If you’re interested in taking advantage of this opportunity please contact Scott Grimm-Lyon the Executive Director of GatewayJFK at 516-730-3400 or by email at scott@gatewayjfk.org.
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Save the Date: NYPD to hold community meeting 3/21/19
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