Morris Park Business Improvement District
Newsletter Year II, Issue 6 - April 26, 2021

  • COVID-19 Vaccine availability expanded, business restrictions revised
  • Earth Day in Morris Park - Loreto Playground Spring Cleanup
  • DOT selects E-Scooter Pilot Program companies
  • Avenue NYC Program - preliminary CDNA findings
  • Elected officials visiting Morris Park Avenue businesses
  • Fresh produce distribution program
  • Welcome to our new businesses: Untamed Gym and Fitness Studio; Perfection Laser and Spa; Abayati; Van Nest Laundromat
  • Graffiti cleanup with the 49th Precinct
COVID-19 vaccine availability expanded, business restrictions revised
Everyone over the age of 16 is now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Find vaccination sites and make an appointment online at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (1-877-829-4692). 
The PPP application period has been extended until May 31, 2021. We strongly advise all businesses that did not apply previously to pursue this funding opportunity. Free application assistance is available at smallbiz.nyc
The curfew for bars and restaurants in NYC has been pushed to 12am (midnight). Catered events an be hosted until 1am.
As of April 26, museums and zoos can open at 50% capacity; movie theaters can expand capacity to 33% with other safety precautions in place.
As of May 29, large indoor arenas will have a maximum capacity raised to 25%.
In response to COVID-19, the NYC Department of Small Business Services is offering a limited 4-session workshop series to help small businesses adapt to the new and "next" normal. This series will provide strategies, tools, and resources to help New York City’s small business owners adapt to the new and “next” normal. Session Dates: Monday, May 3rd; 6 - 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, May 5th; 6 - 7:30 p.m.; Monday, May 10th; 6 - 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, May 12th; 6 - 7:30 p.m. Registration available here
DOT selects the East Bronx E-scooter pilot companies: BIRD, LIME and VEO
DOT announced the companies selected to test the introduction of over 3,000 shared e-scooters to the East Bronx pilot zone are: BIRD, LIME and VEO. We will continue keeping our constituents informed on the progress of this program. More information is available here
Findings of the MPBID "Avenue NYC" Commercial District Needs Assessment
As we near the end of the first year of the Avenue NYC program, the MPBID shared with the community the preliminary results of our "Avenue NYC" commercial district needs assessment, by presenting at the NYPD 49th Precinct Build the Block meeting, at the Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance meeting, and at the CB11 Economic Development Committee meeting, We also created a PowerPoint presentation and a script that are publicly available on the MPBID website here. We encourage all community members interested in sending feedback to contact our Program Manager Selam Yemeru at pm.morrisparkbid@gmail.com
Loreto Park Spring Cleanup
n celebration of Earth Day, the MPBID hosted on April 17th a spring cleanup at Loreto Playground. With the help of local volunteers and our partners at the Bronx Community Board 11 and Friends of Loreto Playground, we cleaned the green area around the playground, raked leaves, spread grass seeds, and collected 9 large bags of trash. Thank you to Partnerships for Parks and to Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez for visiting.
Elected officials enjoying visiting Morris Park Avenue businesses
Our one and only La Casa Del Caffe received an enthusiastic endorsement from a surprise visitor, the NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio, who tweeted his appreciation for the extraordinary espresso Signora Anna Agovino is famous for. We also welcomed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schummer lunching with NY State Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, and enjoying authentic Colombian fare at La Masa, 1000 Morris Park Avenue.
MPBID helping our neighbors with free fresh produce
Until June 30, the MPBID will continue to provide fresh produce to the Morris Park community every Thursday afternoon! In the past month we have partnered with the Bronx Muslim Center, the Arab American Family Support Center and local businesses Kennedy Fried Chicken & Van Nest Hardware to distribute fresh fruits and vegetables to local residents. As always we are sincerely thankful to 'Loving The Bronx' for their partnership and access to boxes of fresh farmers market quality produce. Thank you Nilka Martell and all 'Loving the Bronx' volunteers! A special thank you to Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez and staffer Clifford Temprosa for the additional food giveaway event on April 20, 2021 at the corner of Morris Park Avenue and White Plains Road.
Join us in welcoming the latest four new businesses on Morris Park Avenue!
Untamed Gym & Fitness Studio, 904 Morris Park Avenue
Perfection Laser and Spa, 900 Morris Park Avenue
LAUNDROMAT, 678 Morris Park Avenue
Abayati, 847 Morris Park Avenue
Support for the NYPD 49th Precinct Graffiti Cleanup
Huge shoutout to the NYPD 49th Precinct for your continued work for the Morris Park community! The MPBID, LoConsolo Paints and Van Nest Hardware were proud to co-sponsor the graffiti clean-up event on April 10, 2021.
NYPD 49th Precinct Neighborhood Coordination Officers contacts
Officer Patrick Nicewicz (917) 327-6298   Patrick.Nicewicz@NYPD.Org
Officer Stephen Brancatelli (917) 826-9562 Stephen.Brancatelli@NYPD.org
Sign up for the NYPD 49th Precinct email notification list: Businesses that would like to be added to the NYPD 49th Precinct email notification list, please send your information (business name, contact person and email) to one of the emails above, to receive direct notifications from NYPD.
Morris Park Business Improvement District
morrisparkbid.org
966 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY  US  10462
Morris Park Avenue News, Year II, Issue 6, April 26, 2021