A Successful 27th Annual Meeting for the Lincoln Square BID

It was great to be among so many wonderful members, neighbors, and community partners at our 27th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. A perfect opportunity to meet or reunite with friends and neighbors, over 100 attendees joined us for the morning get-together in the David Rubenstein Atrium. Guests enjoyed coffee from The Independent Cafe (located in the Atrium) and treats from Breads Bakery (1890 Broadway between W 62nd and W 63rd Street) while learning about Lincoln Square’s business and hearing from guest speakers.

BID Chair Gary Jacob called the meeting to order, offered a few opening remarks, and led the group in adopting meeting minutes from the previous year. Commissioner Kevin Kim of the NYC Department of Small Businesses joined to congratulate the BID on its 27th year. Then, as our gracious host, Lincoln Center’s Leah Johnson, Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, gave the group a warm welcome and described some of the cultural institution’s ongoing projects and programs.

Next, the BID’s Board got down to business: BID Vice Chair of Finance Alan Locker presented the FY 25 budget and Annual Report (which includes Statements of Financial Position and Activities), and BID Treasurer and Chair of Nominations Maura Hayes led the election of 13 Directors and 8 Alternates to our Board. We welcomed returning Board Directors and Alternates and new members, including Christophe Coffinet and Alizee Wyckmans from Le Botaniste, Emily Grant from Kaufman Music Center, George Lermontov from TD Bank, Marcel Thoma from Mandarin Oriental, New York, Tom Flaherty from The Related Companies (The Shops at Columbus Circle), Robert Dineen from Fordham University, and James Zaratin and Anthony Fallon from 15 Central Park West. 

Once the business had been completed, our guest speakers kept the audience informed and engaged. Carl Weisbrod, Senior Advisor at HR&A Advisors and Chair of the MTA’s Traffic Mobility Review Board, gave a thorough explanation of congestion pricing and answered questions from the audience. Deputy Inspector Candida Pun-Sullivan, Commanding Officer of the NYPD’s 20th Precinct, spoke about crime in our neighborhood and efforts by the precinct to ensure our community remains safe. Tricia Shimamura, who was recently appointed as Manhattan Borough Commissioner for the Parks Department, also attended the event to share a message of partnership with the BID and show her appreciation for the BID's Broadway Malls and crews - the Clean Team and our Green Keepers from Goddard Riverside, both of which we contract. And finally, always a crowd favorite, the Hon. Gale Brewer, NYC Council Member for Upper West Side District 6, joined us to say a few words and keep us up-to-date on her hard work.

Last but certainly not least, BID President Monica Blum presented three awards for dedicated service to the BID. Ashley Smith, our Green Keepers’ Supervisor from Goddard Riverside, and Lincoln Constance, a member of our Public Safety team, have both worked with us for 15 years. Meanwhile, Clean Team Member Eloy Bravo has kept our streets spotless for 25 years! The BID also acknowledged Clean Team Supervisor Antonio Ruiz as the "glue" that keeps our team working together so effectively. 

Thank you to all who attended, including Board members, property owners, residents, businesses, not-for-profit institutions, and friends. The turnout was great and representative of our beautiful neighborhood, which we look forward to continuing to serve. To enjoy photos from the meeting, view our Flickr album here.

Photo Credit: Carlos Alayo