Today, Tomorrow, Thursday

As previewed in newsletters over the past week, our Economic Development Committee met last night with a focus on businesses in our district during, and beyond, COVID. The keyword of the various presenters was "uncertainty".

As previewed in newsletters over the past week, our Economic Development Committee met last night with a focus on businesses in our district during, and beyond, COVID. The keyword of the various presenters was "uncertainty". Too many businesses may well be failing - in the bar and restaurant sector, as colder weather arrives without a shift in circumstances. Theaters and wellness are already in deep trouble. The commercial real estate sector has been relatively stable due to warehousing/distribution; store lease prices have lowered but not substantially yet. Will people who have left the city return, and will those who work at home return to offices? It’s all uncertain.

Our new member, Natasha Amott, did a great job of running the Zoom, and a big thank you goes out to her. Also, another big thank you to all our guests including CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Randy Peers, James Dean Ellis of the North Flatbush BID , Mark Caserta of the Park Slope 5th Avenue BID , Ben Margolis of Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation , Karen Narefsky of the Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development , as well as our very own, CB6 member and executive director of the Carroll Gardens Association , Vilma Heremia.

There was a consensus that there is a need for additional cash grants in the hardest-hit sectors and more clarity and consistency in government regulation, particularly concerning outdoor dining. However, it was also noted that outdoor dining does not work in all corridors or other parts of the district. The complex interrelationship of tenants, landlords, and tax revenue has not been resolved, and is made more difficult without bank and insurer participation. We also need a sufficient federal stimulus ASAP.

Again, please don’t forget that on Thursday, beginning at 7 PM, we are co-sponsoring a “back to school” town hall with Councilmember Brad Lander. The town hall will feature leadership from the Department of Education, including Deputy Chancellor Adrienne Austin, Executive Superintendent Karen Watts, and District 15 Superintendent Anita Skop.

There are some other items you can check on below, but if you don’t, and this is where we part, enjoy the rest of your Tuesday.

This is the web archive of a newsletter originally sent by email to Brooklyn Community Board 6 subscribers on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. The email edition may contain additional event listings and links.