Woodside On The Move, Inc. sponsors and co-sponsors free special events and performances in the Queens community of Woodside. The project provides for a series of free performances for the community to be held in area parks, schoolyards, or public open spaces. Services are provided year round and include an 8 week culturally diverse summer series of musical concert and performances in local parks, A Christmas Tree Lighting Service and concert, various youth concerts throughout the year and street fair festivals performances that highlight the talent of local new musical artists. Woodside on the Move also sponsors a Summer and Autumn Street Fair. This program gives local businesses an opportunity to gain some additional publicity and sell their products during the event. In addition, to free concerts an annual Flea Market Sale takes place during the fairs.
The Graffiti Removal & Area Beautification projects offer clean up services to Woodside businesses and residents. Local businesses and area parks are targeted for cleanup. Services include painting, graffiti removal and proofing, planning gardens and cleaning up parks. The summer component consists of an aggressive 8 week program to target high crime areas. Youth interns are utilized to gain experience and community service during the summer program. Area mural are also cleaned up with the help of local artist.
The Business Improvement District project was designed to assess targeted area businesses to attempt to address challenging problems that the Woodside area faces. Business Improvement Districts have been important partners in the economic development of New York City for more than 20 years. From the central business districts to local shopping areas, BIDs make valuable contributions to the life of our neighborhoods. Establishing a new BID is a serious effort that involves the work of property owners, local businesses, public officials and other community stakeholders. A Business Improvement District is a public/private partnership in which property and business owners elect to make a collective contribution to the maintenance, development and promotion of their commercial district. BIDs deliver a range of supplemental services in coordination with municipal services and invest in the long-term economic development of their districts. Supplemental services or improvements may include maintenance, public safety, hospitality, business development, marketing, capital improvements, landscaping and community services. These additional services will complement the services already provided by the city. Funds to pay for the BID programs and services are generated from a special assessment paid by the benefited property owners. The assessment fee is based on each property’s front footage and assessed value. The BID steering committee has planned an ambitious program with three specific goals: a) To beautify and improve the physical environment, b) To promote and project an image of Woodside, NY as a safe and welcoming place to work, live, seek entertainment and shop, and c)To encourage business retention, expansion and development. Creating a BID in Woodside is a critical step in improving the environs of the Woodside shopping strip for residents, shoppers, merchants, visitors as well as potential new businesses. If successfully implemented the Woodside Business Improvement District will help improve our environment, make it safer, encourage investment in our area, promote new business, attract customers, and increase property values.
In addition WOTM sponsors and cosponsors educational and training programs in conjunction with local community colleges to help local business owners improve their profit margins.
