David Estrada invites business owners to cooperate to get the open streets program back on track in Sunset Park. In this neighborhood, several restaurants and stores are still at risk of disappearing due to the lack of crisis.
Estrada is the executive director of the Sunset Park Business Improvement District association and believes it would be a way to revitalize the area: “I am closing three zones this summer, last year we had two. I want businesses here to have one opportunity to continue
Estrada explains that to close the streets the municipality requires hiring a security and control worker in each area; And since it’s 27 weeks, it would take about $ 28,000. That is why they opened an electronic collection, so as not to exclude businesses that do not have money.
“Not a dollar comes from the city to support this open streets program. We only have enough funds for Saturdays, if we earn enough with charity then we will open Fridays as well,” Estrada details.
This year the open streets program would benefit about 75 businesses in the three areas that would be covered in this neighborhood
Unlike 2020, this time other businesses would also be allowed to participate.
Like that of Aurelio García, a household products store, in which they say they still owe four months of rent and have only recovered 40% of their usual sales: “A lot was lost in the pandemic, business, not to get for the rent. We have to recover a little and then maybe we can recover. “
While for Tacos California, the open streets program of the previous year represented a respite that they already need again: “Those days are very busy here and the truth people queue to enter. Those days are good for us “, details Gilberto Cordero, owner of the taqueria.
The program will start from May 1 to October 30, closing the fifth avenue from 39 to 42 streets, from 45 to 47 and from 55 to 59. The closure would be on Saturdays from four in the afternoon to 11 of the night. This could also be extended to Friday. To participate in the fundraiser visit the site: gofoundme.com/f/sunset-park-open-streets-2021
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