Celebrate Flatiron Partnerships at 230 FIFTH: October 17th

Get your tickets now for Celebrate Flatiron Partnerships 2012, the BID's annual networking event that honors the Partnership's community efforts and members of this vibrant neighborhood. The October 17th event will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 230 FIFTH, the spectacular 27th Street Penthouse Lounge and Rooftop Garden with its stunning skyline view. Admission is $30 per person and includes top-shelf bar service and hors d'oeuvres.

To purchase tickets, go to www.CFP2012.eventbrite.com by October 15th. Space is limited.

Veterans Week in New York City

The United War Veterans Council (UWVC), the non-profit organization that produces the annual Veterans Day parade, is seeking Flatiron area businesses to promote community participation in the first-ever New York City Veterans Week.  The week's centerpiece event is the "Red, White and Blue Weekend," which is the UWVC's version of "Black Friday," and will take place November 9th to November 12th. Businesses that choose to participate will have the opportunity to provide discounts to veterans and present-day military service members. 

For more details on the various initiatives during Veterans Week, read this letter. If you would like your business to participate, fill out an application by clicking here, and follow the instructions. If you have questions, call Margaret-Ann Harley of the UWVC at (212) 693-1476. 

The Veterans Day parade will be held on Sunday, November 11th. The parade's route starts in the Flatiron district along Fifth Avenue, between  26th and 56th Streets, and will begin at approximately 11:30 a.m. There will be special observances to mark major military milestones, including the 150th anniversary of the Medal of Honor and the War of 1812's 200th year commemoration. 

For Miriam Berman (pictured at left), the two-hour trek is always a pleasure. "I have been doing the tour for five years," says the longtime business resident, local historian, author and graphic designer about the Flatiron/23 Street Partnership's free weekend walk. "And, I'm never tired of presenting the area to a new audience."

Led by Berman and her narrative, the BID's tour was a sold-out success on Saturday, October 6th and Sunday, October 7th as part of the 10th Annual Open House New York Weekend, which allows "access to hundreds of sites, talks, tours, performances and family activities in neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs," according to the ohny.org website. "I have been a fan of this event since its inception," admits Berman about OHNY, "and it was great fun to be a part of it for the first time."

For many, Flatiron is viewed as a picture-perfect destination. "The area of Madison Square fits in nicely because of its unusual architecture, manicured park, and the ability that the area has shown through the decades to reinvent itself and adapt with the times," says Berman, who also shares her tour duties on a rotating basis with fellow guides Frederick Cookinham and Mike Kaback. "The area has become so popular with the addition of Eataly, Shake Shack, Grey Advertising and Tiffany's business offices that I think people are curious as to what would draw these popular and prestigious businesses to this area."

Adds Berman about the reactions by those on the journey, "Whether they are local New Yorkers, come from other states or foreign lands, the stories of the area seem to captivate all. They come because they want to see what all the buzz is about and then are really surprised to find out about the remarkable history. A couple from England purposely planned their trip to New York City around the dates of OHNY. They said that London has an OHNY program as well, which they love and always frequent."

In a recent interview for the Flatiron/23 Street Partnership newsletter, Deputy Inspector Ted W. Berntsen (pictured at left) of the 13th Precinct was asked to describe the district in his own words. "It's lively and beautiful," said Berntsen, who is the precinct's commanding officer, "because of the BID. They do a tremendous job in providing services for the neighborhood." 

Residential growth in the area has been on the rise. And with that the increase, cited Berntsen at the BID's annual Fall Speaker Series for Flatiron area business owners and residents at TD Bank's 260 Park Avenue South location on October 3rd, "it brings bars, restaurants, and stores, and it also brings the opportunity for crime." Added Jennifer Brown, Executive Director of the BID, which also provides a Public Safety program for the community, "The 13th Precinct has been a great partner and we're constantly using them as a resource and sharing ideas and talking about challenges."

Berntsen confirmed there has been a slight increase in certain types of crime in the district. "Back in 2010, we had the second best crime reduction in the city," he said. "And last year, in 2011, we had another 4.6% decrease." Grand larceny is one of the major crime categories the precinct is confronting on a daily basis.  As an example, said Berntsen, "Here we have a lot of buildings where there are no doormen. There are five or six different businesses on a floor and it's hard to determine who belongs in that building and who doesn't. We have what we call 'creepers,' who basically walk around the building looking for unattended items."

Citing the latest crime stats in New York City, Berntsen stated that 40% of theft is related to iPhones and other electronic devices. "In the 13th," however, according to Berntsen, "it's closer to 60%," with his precinct actively tracking lost or stolen items with the help of the latest location pinpointing technologies. 

Bernsten also addressed Flatiron's quality of life issues, such as bicycles on sidewalks, the need to regulate area food truck vendors, and putting "a big dent" in the war against trademark counterfeit businesses, which include the clothing and handbag industries. In addition, he hopes to hire several more officers before this year's holiday season. "We're going to continue to fight crime in the 13th and every crime is important," said Berntsen. "That's going to be our focus going forward."