Mayor Bloomberg Honors Heart of Brooklyn with a Neighborhood Achievement Award

July 15, 2009 - PRLog -- Brooklyn, NY – Heart of Brooklyn, a partnership of the leading cultural institutions located near Grand Army Plaza in central Brooklyn, was awarded a 2009 Neighborhood Achievement Award from the NYC Department of Small Business Services in the Partnership category. The award was presented by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Robert Walsh, Commissioner, NYC Small Business Services, during a ceremony held at Gracie Mansion on July 13th. The Partnership Award recognizes Heart of Brooklyn’s significant community efforts in Crown Heights and Prospect Heights.

The NYC Department of Small Business Services’ Partnership Award recognizes a shared endeavor between organizations whose partnership has benefited the community. In addition to maximizing the resources and impact of its member institutions, Heart of
Brooklyn’s innovative work builds successful partnerships with a diverse group of community stakeholders, ranging from the Department of Small Business Services to Brooklyn Tourism. All Heart of Brooklyn programs in education, economic development, community outreach, tourism and marketing are designed to serve the borough’s diverse neighborhoods. This year, Heart of Brooklyn's efforts on Washington and Vanderbilt Avenues with support from Avenue NYC and NYC Department of Small Business Services included:

- Reformation of a Washington Avenue-Prospect Heights merchants association
- Business attraction
- District marketing and holiday lighting
- Publication of Wash Ave, a bi-monthly newsletter highlighting the businesses and events along Washington Avenue
- Participation in NYC Clean Streets and streetscape beautification
- Publication, distribution and marketing of the Extraordinary Places in the Heart of Brooklyn coupon booklet

Accepting the award at Gracie Mansion on Monday were Ellen Salpeter, Director, Heart of Brooklyn; Carol Enseki, President, Brooklyn Children’s Museum; Scot Medbury, President, Brooklyn Botanic Garden; and Daniella Fairbairn, Community Outreach Manager, Heart of Brooklyn.

“Heart of Brooklyn, working together with local stakeholders, has broken new ground for community development, as well as cultural partnerships,” said Ellen Salpeter, Director of Heart of Brooklyn. “This award recognizes that business-cultural collaborations can provide the backbone for sustained economic revitalization, and acknowledges Prospect Heights as a vibrant cultural and commercial destination. Culture enriches our lives, enlivens our communities, makes us think and supports our dreams.”

For more information about the 2009 Neighborhood Achievement Awards, please visit the online program (http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/sbs/html/neighborhood/naa_pr...).

For more information about Heart of Brooklyn’s partnerships and programs, please visit http://heartofbrooklyn.org.




Heart of Brooklyn (HOB) is a partnership of the leading cultural institutions located near Grand Army Plaza in central Brooklyn: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Public Library, Prospect Park, and Prospect Park Zoo. Heart of Brooklyn encourages tourism and learning by making its world-class collections and historic treasures more visible and accessible. As an integral part of Brooklyn’s renaissance, Heart of Brooklyn is committed to strengthening the future of its neighborhoods. Learn more at www.heartofbrooklyn.org.

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Heart of Brooklyn (HOB) is a partnership of the leading cultural institutions located near Grand Army Plaza in central Brooklyn...http://tinyurl.com/nun2fc