By Connor Adams Sheets
The Downtown Flushing Business Improvement District has found a replacement for Mabel Law, its founding executive director.
Dian Yu, a 10-year employee of the city Economic Development Corp. with extensive experience dealing with the city Department of Small Business Services, was introduced to the community last week but began working in his new role Sept. 20.
He said he will be a tireless advocate for the small businesses of downtown Flushing and that he will also work on behalf of the city’s interests to bring services to the district.
“I fully intend to carry out the mission of why the BID was created — to provide supplementary sanitation service to the community — and I want to provide a bridge between the local merchants and city agencies,” he said. “I intend to be that bridge and to let the city know what this community needs and also to introduce the city’s programs to merchants as well.”
Born and raised in China, Yu immigrated to the United States when he was 11 years old. He said he wants to ensure that all community members know the BID exists to serve them.
“I think there is a misunderstanding out there that the BID is here to mainly serve Chinese merchants,” he said. “That’s not true, that’s an untrue statement. The BID is here to serve all merchants and I fully intend to work with all merchants in the Downtown Flushing BID.”
He already has big plans for the future of the BID, which he has begun to implement.
“We are working with the [city] Department of Transportation and we are trying to fix potholes on the streets. It’s the holes right next to the curbs,” he explained. “The holes are big enough that you could step in them and break your feet or leg. It’s a health and safety issue and it’s in the city’s interest to fix the potholes.
For me, it’s about the BID’s image. I don’t want people to come to the BID and have their first impression be the potholes.”
He also plans to install 10 new garbage cans throughout the BID and to consider new contractors for the sanitation work it provides.
The Downtown Flushing BID includes the area from Northern Boulevard to Sanford Avenue along Main Street as well as portions of Roosevelt Avenue and Kissena Boulevard.
Reach reporter Connor Adams Sheets by e-mail at csheets@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
