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TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | JAN. 29-FEB. 4, 2021 11
QEDC report suggests need for local
merchants association in Richmond Hill
options (i.e. the A train)
and proximity to major
roadways such as the
Van Wyck Expressway
and Cross Bay Boulevard.
Plus, nonprofit
cultural organizations
and religious institutions
organize high profile
public events — such
as the annual Phagwah
Parade — that attract
tourists from around
the world.
However, Smouha
found unacceptable levels
of garbage on the
sidewalk and overflowing
litter baskets due to
illegal dumping from
households.
Additionally, the
dark and shadowy street
conditions below the elevated
A line on Liberty
Avenue make the envi-
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
A new report created
by the Queens Economic
Development Corporation
and NYC Small
Business Services is
highlighting the need
for a local merchants association
in two diverse
and vibrant shopping
centers in Richmond
Hill to address sanitation
and marketing
challenges.
The Commercial
Needs Assessment reveals
that businesses
along the stretch of
Liberty Avenue known
as “Little Guyana”
and “Punjab Way” on
101st Avenue between
111th and 123rd Streets
have the potential to
be organized as a local
merchants association
to clean up,
beautify and promote
their unique offerings
as a destination neighborhood
and cultural
enclave.
Courtesy of QEDC
While 19 percent of
merchants surveyed
cited sanitation issues,
22 percent identified the
issue of parking along
the corridors that needs
to be changed in order to
attract more visitors and
shoppers, and 27 percent
are in need of marketing
support to help grow
their businesses, according
to the report.
“Richmond Hill is
a unique, endearing
area with a strong commercial
corridor that
provides products and
services to the public
while creating jobs. “We
discovered some ways
to improve the area and
guarantee a bright future
for all,” said Sam
Smouha, QEDC program
manager.
Some of the report’s
recommended interventions
include the
following:
• Collaborate and share
resources to address
problems
• Market Richmond Hill
as a unique cultural and
culinary destination
• Clean and beautify the
sidewalks and public
spaces
• Increase street furniture;
implement holiday
lights to welcome shoppers
and generate neighborhood
pride
• Leverage the proximity
to economic anchors, especially
John F. Kennedy
International Airport
and Resorts World Casino
New York City
• Develop a storefront
improvement program to
finance exterior renovations
and promote
annual events
Smouha organized
and facilitated stakeholder
meetings and
gathered more than 620
surveys from storeowners,
shoppers, workers,
property owners, and
residents between August
2019 and March
2020.
The data was then
compiled into the report,
which provides insight
on the local retail
landscape and consumer
characteristics.
Richmond Hill is a
vibrant, diverse neighborhood
with more than
1,000 small businesses
that form a unique
cultural and culinary
destination. Its key
commercial corridors —
geographically known
as south Richmond Hill
— Liberty Avenue and
101st Avenue are bordered
by the Van Wyck
Expressway to the east
and Woodhaven and
Crossbay Boulevards to
the west, according to
the report.
The southern portion
of Richmond Hill
is home to several tightknit
communities, such
as the Punjabi Sikh and
Indo-Caribbean populations.
Within blocks,
there are also multiple
Hindu, Muslim, Sikh,
and Christian houses
of worship, which further
reflect the diverse
composition of the Richmond
Hill community.
The commercial corridors
have plenty of culturally
relevant vendors
(Indo-Caribbean tropical
bakeries, roti shops,
and open-air markets)
along with a healthy mix
of new and long-standing
occupants with few longtime
vacancies.
The streets are pedestrian
friendly with
public transportation
ronment less welcoming
to pedestrians. Other
challenges include online
retail and proximity
to Queens Center mall.
According to the
report, Resorts World
Casino, which is undergoing
a $400 million expansion
to be completed
this year, and the JFK
International Airport,
which is undergoing a
$13 billion redevelopment,
can provide the
potential for future partnerships
and marketing
opportunities for local
businesses.
In July 2020, SBS began
a three-year commitment
to fund commercial
revitalization
efforts in Richmond
Hill.
“I really feel honored
to have worked with SBS
on this needs assessment,”
Smouha said.
The complete report
will soon be available in
Punjabi and Spanish.
Reach reporter Carlotta
Mohamed by e-mail at
cmohamed@schnepsmedia.
com or by phone at
(718) 260–4526.
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