GatewayJFK (formerly known as the JFK IBID) is where logistics and cargo, hotel, food service, retail, other industries, and a lively community, call home. We are a Business Improvement District in Southeast Queens that is home to over 600 businesses and 150 single family households. Our mission is to create a space in New York where the air cargo businesses can expand, thrive and be a good neighbor.

Bartlett Dairy Development Approved

On June 14th, Bartlett Dairy, Incorporated received final approval from the City of New York to develop a 6 acre parcel of city owned property near the intersection of Nassau Expressway and Rockaway Blvd. Bartlett, a minority-owned, family-run local business, will develop a 54,000 square foot dairy distribution center on the site and gain ownership of the land. The new facility is expected to add 165 permanent jobs to the neighborhood with average salaries of $70,000.

GatewayJFK spoke on behalf of the development during the City approval process. GatewayJFK believes that the facility will have minimal impact on the existing traffic patterns in the neighborhood and that the design and aesthetics of the development; which include a modern facility, ample parking, and an attractive fence with landscaping, will act as a prominent example to inspire future investment and revitalization in the area.

Bartlett Dairy was selected for the site through a process led by the New York City Economic Development Corporation. The company was selected in part because it was able to meet the City’s industrial manufacturing criteria, Living Wage and HireNYC requirements for employees, as well as a 25% MWBE contracting goal for design and construction. The facility is expected to be completed in the fall of 2020.

115 Attend GatewayJFK Annual Meeting

On Thursday June 13th, 115 members of the local business community, local residents, and government officials gathered together to network and celebrate a years worth of achievements in the GatewayJFK improvement district. The event was held at the newly opened TWA Hotel, a re-purposed terminal that showcases a mid-century modernist vision from the golden age of air travel.

At the meeting Executive Director Scott Grimm-Lyon went over the highlights of Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19), the first full calendar year of operations for GatewayJFK. The presentation outlined the programs and services started this year, including implementing street cleaning, graffiti removal and landscaping in the neighborhood. As a preview for next year Grimm-Lyon outlined plans to tackle security issues and transportation in the district.

Debra L. Smith of the Queens Public Library was elected to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors. Smith has been serving in a non-voting capacity as Treasurer of GatewayJFK since January of this year.

You can download a copy of the FY19 Annual Meeting Report including a detailed FY19 Highlights report, and projected financials on our website at www.gatewayjfk.org.

A copy of the Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Meeting Proceedings and a copy of the FY18 organizational audit (required by not-for-profit law) are also available.

Neighborhood 360 Fellow Starts Year at GatewayJFK

Camilo Buonomo an economist with a background in airport development has begun a one year term as a Neighborhood 360° Fellow (N360 Fellow) with GatewayJFK.

In February the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) announced that GatewayJFK had been awarded a grant to place a N360 Fellow in the District. The grant provides fellows as consulting staff to help community-based organizations complete commercial revitalization projects and connect local stakeholders to City resources. Fellows are paid by SBS and are full-time community development professionals.

Buonomo's N360 Fellow project will work to address illegal dumping in the area by installing a network of security cameras. He will also work to identify and address hiring challenges in the Air Cargo Industry and lead the creation of a workforce development strategy that will help local businesses find qualified candidates for open positions.

Buonomo studied Economics at the University of Buenos Aires, Development Policy in Sejong South Korea, and he is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Public and Urban Policy at The New School. Buonomo has a background in working on international infrastructure projects, with extensive experience in ports, airports and roads.

Camilio's work with GatewayJFK began in June of 2019 and will continue until March of 2020.

In March, twenty banners with the GatewayJFK logo were put up along Rockaway Blvd. and throughout the surrounding neighborhood streets. GatewayJFK is seeking sponsors to help install a second round of banners in June of this year. Each sponsor will have their company logo displayed for one full-year on the lower portion of the banner. The logo will make up to . 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 becoming a banner sponsor please contact Scott Grimm-Lyon the Executive Director of GatewayJFK at 516-730-3400 or by email at scott@gatewayjfk.org.

GatewayJFK in the News

QNS.com June 14, 2019 (also published in print issue)
GatewayJFK was quoted in a story about the Bartlett dairy development in the Queens Chronicle

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