Photo: QueensPost
April 18, 2011 By Christian Murray
Sunnyside Shines, a public/private partnership with a mission to promote business throughout much of the neighborhood, is providing incentives to local business owners who upgrade their store frontages.
In the past year, there have been several store owners who have been criticized for failing to maintain their store frontages, which many argue detracts from the Sunnyside business district. Many critics also argue that roll down gates – as opposed to see-through mesh gates– invite taggers to the neighborhood.
Sunnyside Shines will be providing a 50% matching grant up to $1,000 beginning July 1, 2011, to any owner who upgrades a store’s frontage that meets the partnership’s guidelines. Such guidelines include:
- Erecting open mesh, see-through gates
- Producing well-designed simple signs that observe signage code and regulations
Businesses must be part of the Sunnyside Shines business district to qualify, which covers stores fronting Queens Boulevard from 38th St. to 49th St., Greenpoint Avenue from 43rd St. to 48th St., and South Roosevelt Avenue from 48th St. to 49th St.
