Media Contact Jamaica Center BID
Trey Jenkins
Director of Marketing and Business Services
[email protected]
718-873-2506
For Immediate Release:
JAMAICA CENTER BID PARTNERS WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO BEAUTIFY PARSONS PUBLIC SPACE
Jamaica, Queens, June 11, 2021 – On Sunday, June 13, the Jamaica Center BID (JBID) in collaboration with Southeast Queens Cleanup (SEQ Cleanup Initiative), Linden Studio 17 and Cambria Heights Florist will be hosting a Jamaica Avenue Community Clean-Up and Beautification event at Parsons Public Space in downtown Jamaica. Parsons Public Space was constructed by NYC DOT in downtown Jamaica several years ago as a temporary public space and is scheduled to become a permanent public plaza after additional work by NYC’s Department of Design and Construction is complete (timeframe TBD.).
Although Parsons Public Space does not fall within the Jamaica Center BID’s boundaries, the BID decided to coordinate a clean-up and beautification initiative there this summer due to its prominent location and importance to the downtown community.
“We noticed that many of the original shrubs in the 35 planters at Parsons had died or toppled over, and no decorative greenery or flowers remained,” said Jennifer Furioli, Executive Director of the Jamaica Center BID. “Parsons Public Space is one of Jamaica Avenue’s “front yards” and first impressions for those coming to shop . By providing a clean sweep to remove litter and planting some new greenery, we hope to provide a better experience this summer for downtown Jamaica’s returning workers and shoppers as we fully reopen downtown for business.”
The event is the second community clean-up event the BID has done in collaboration with SEQ Cleanup Initiative, a new grassroots nonprofit in southeast Queens. The first, a “side-street clean up” this past December removed litter from the high-trafficked 162nd Street, a side street leading from a popular parking lot to Jamaica Avenue in order to give shoppers a more positive first impression as they approached downtown for holiday shopping.
Antoinette “DJ Nett” Lawson, founder of SEQ Cleanup Initiative will provide volunteers to help clean up and plant greenery at Parsons Public Space. “SEQ Cleanup's mission is to inspire Southeast Queens residents to "do their part" to be proactive when it comes to the revitalization and beautification of this community. When we all do our part, we are one step closer to reaching our intended goal,” said founder of SEQ Cleanup Initiative DJ Nett.
The Jamaica Avenue Community Beautification event will take place from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sunday. Additional community partners involved in the event include Alana Simmons, founder and owner of Linden Studio 17, who is providing project management and promotional support for the event, Cambria Heights Florist, who will provide expertise and guidance on the planting portion of the event, and the 103rd Precinct’s Community Affairs division. The Home Depot store located at 92-30 168th Street donated soil and cleaning supplies for the event and the three restaurants fronting Parsons Public Space: Golden Krust, Popeye’s and Dunkin’ Donuts are providing meals for the volunteers. Once planted, the flowers and greenery will be watered during the summer by the adjacent landlord, Mattone Investors.
“This is truly a community-led initiative with established and new nonprofits, local business, property owners and every day volunteers pitching in to make this happen,” said Jennifer Furioli. “We’re thrilled to work with SEQ Cleanup again and are grateful to Linden Studios and Cambria Heights Florist for their community leadership in this particular event.”
In addition to the cleaning and greening, volunteers will begin construction on a Little Reading Library, which the coordinators of this event hope to install near Rufus King Park later this summer.
The BID expects to clean-up Parsons Public space again in the fall and to do other activations at Parsons Public space thanks to a recent grant received by the JFK International Air Terminal.
To learn more about the Jamaica Center BID and stay up-to-date on all happenings on Jamaica Avenue, make sure to visit www.Jamaica.nyc, sign up for our weekly newsletter and follow us onFacebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About the Jamaica Center Business Improvement District (BID)
Founded as the Jamaica District Management Association in 1979, the Jamaica Center BID is central to one of New York City’s fastest growing communities. Jamaica Center BID is the proud home to national and regional retailers, several major cultural and educational institutions as well as City, State and Federal Offices, and more than 400 businesses. The Jamaica Center BID seeks to maintain Jamaica Center as a thriving business hub and premier destination to shop, work, live and play.
About Southeast Queens Cleanup Initiative
Founded by DJ Nett, SEQ Cleanup engages local volunteers to assist with picking up litter in the local parks, potting and planting in local community gardens, as well as helping with painting of murals to add to the beautification of Southeast Queens. SEQ Cleanup's motto is "DO YOUR PART... When each member of the community does their part, we are one step closer to our collective goal." Instagram: Seqcleanup
About Linden Studio 17
Founded by Alana Simmons, Linden Studio 17 Inc. is located in St. Albans, Queens. Linden Studio 17 was established to be a service to the community. As an event space for rental services, Linden Studio 17 have sponsored multiple organizations and programs to use the studio at little to no cost and sponsor outside projects and organizations as well. Instagram: lindenstudio17
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