BAYFEST 2019 PROGRAM
BayFest 2015 drew record crowds to the Sheepshead Bay waterfront.
BAY IMPROVEMENT GROUP: Who Are We?
WHO WE ARE
The Bay Improvement Group (B.I.G.)
is a broad coalition of people, businesses,
groups, and leaders that for over 28 years has
been dedicated to the future preservation,
revitalization, and comprehensive planning
of Sheepshead Bay and its main streets.
Founded in 1992 and
incorporated in 1993,
B.I.G. is a non-profit,
tax-exempt 501(c)
(3) organization with
over 500 members.
Since the 1980s,
the founders of B.I.G.
have actively warned of overdevelopment in
Sheepshead Bay. We have consistently talked
about overdevelopment and congestion,
and recommended tightened zoning regulations.
That message and work have been
carried forward and presented repeatedly
and publicly by B.I.G. in zoning reports,
specific guidelines to protect the neighborhood’s
character, public meetings, parking
plans, and development comments. We continue
to see a great need, through equitable
enforcement of our laws, for our community
to come together and prevent destruction of
our unique Sheepshead Bay.
UNIQUE SHEEPSHEAD BAY
Sheepshead Bay: the only place in New
York City with the special flavor of a party
boat fishing fleet, restaurants, and maritime
recreational activities, all in one harbor. We
must preserve what’s left of this treasure
from runaway and uncomplimentary development,
especially as developers continue
to eye properties damaged by Superstorm
Sandy. Our limited public space, such as the
pier area, must remain uncluttered and well
thought out, so that it enhances and respects
rather than detracts from our bay. And we
must rebuild from the disaster in safe, smart
ways.
We at B.I.G. care about the quality of life
in our community. We believe in elevating
the values of our main streets and in maintaining
and rebuilding our unique waterfront
for marine-related uses, as required
by the Special Use District zoning law of
Sheepshead Bay. We seek to maintain the
character and scale of the fishing boats,
restaurants, historic structures, tourism,
and recreation available. We see our main
shopping street, Sheepshead Bay Road, our
supporting secondary main streets such as
Nostrand Avenue and Avenue U, and the
commercial strips around them as key to our
40 COURIER LIFE, MAY 17–23, 2019 M BR B G
community’s economic growth, stability and
health. As the value of these important business
strips increases, so does the value of our
community, homes, individual businesses,
and ultimately, our quality of life.
Sheepshead Bay offers everything from
boating, scuba diving, swimming, windsurfing,
sailing lessons at yacht clubs, and of
course, fishing. Which leads to what many
consider to be what we in Sheepshead Bay
do best: eat! Whether it’s fresh fish right off a
boat; a fabulous meal at OPera Cafe, Liman’s
Restaurant, or IL Fornetto on the bay; or
casual savories from Jimmy’s Famous Heros,
Randazzo’s Clam Bar, or any of our fine new
eateries and restaurants, Sheepshead Bay is
the place to be. You can also walk across the
historic 1880 wooden footbridge for a wonderful
view of the bay, stroll down Emmons
Avenue, or hop on a fishing boat or sunset
cruise at one of our many local marinas,
boat clubs, and yacht clubs. There’s so much
to do, but if all you want is a bay breeze, we
have that, too!
We also neighbor on Jamaica Bay,
Gateway National Recreation Area,
Manhattan, Gerritsen, Brighton, Coney
Island and Rockaway Beaches.
WHAT WE DO
B.I.G.’s volunteer work is evident everywhere
in Sheepshead Bay. The Arts for
Transit public mural at the Sheepshead Bay
subway station; three Adopt-A-Highway garden
sites; community events, like our annual
B.I.G. Celebrity Caroling & Toy Drive; our
B.I.G. Oscar Awards, which recognize outstanding
community service; and of course
our main event, BayFest, are all only the tip
of the iceberg. As a member of the committee
to rehabilitate the Sheepshead Bay subway
station, B.I.G. has seen the $10 million
rehabilitation and opening of our subway
station. We have also been active in Preserve
Our Waterfront (POW), a south Brooklyn
coalition organized to stop out-of-control
waterfront developers. When Sandy hit in
October 2012, we were first responders,
began a “No Neighbor Left Behind” advocacy
program, and in the coming months
will support the community’s revitalization
through our new program, “Bringing Back
the Bay.”
B.I.G. has presented historic talks, slide
shows, and archaeological exhibitions; lobbied
successfully for historic lampposts on
Emmons Avenue and Sheepshead Bay Road;
and advocated successfully for the Brooklyn
Continued on page 58
United We Stand