At the heart of vibrant and diverse Queens, a borough celebrated for its unique blend of multicultural heritage, Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District (BID) works tirelessly to bring merchants and residents together and build a thriving community.
This mission requires the BID and executive director Dirk McCall de Palóma to have access to best in class data about the neighborhood, which isn’t always easy. Sparse, generic data from expensive brokers, and lack of internal resources make it hard for the team to build data-driven strategies. When we met Dirk and discussed his vision for a data-empowered BID, we thought we could help.
Unveiling Sunnyside's Potential Through Data
North Arrow worked closely with Sunnyside Shines to develop a granular intelligence platform - a map-based dashboard (reach out for a demo!) that aggregates and visualizes publicly available data across various layers, including:
DOB violations and 311 complaints data, offering historical insights at the block and location levels to pinpoint residents' and businesses' pain points.
Public infrastructure data, like bike parking and public benches, juxtaposed with rich demographic details, providing a comprehensive view of the neighborhood's accessibility and resident needs.
Legislative boundaries & demographics data, enabling precise identification of representatives to lobby for investment and support in specific areas.
Through this dashboard, we not only mapped the area of the BID but also categorized local businesses, equipping them with the data needed to flourish.
Transforming Challenges into Opportunities
"BIDs often grapple with accessing relevant, affordable data that speaks directly to their unique environments,"Â shares Dirk. Our collaboration sought to bridge this gap by harnessing the power of mapping and live data to illuminate strategic paths for Sunnyside Shines and, by extension, its community and businesses.
The strategic impacts of this initiative are manifold, enabling Sunnyside Shines to:
Proactively Solve Community Issues: Leveraging DOB and 311 data, the BID can now identify and address neighborhood challenges before they escalate, from infrastructure needs to public complaints.
Enhance Advocacy & Investment:Â With detailed infrastructure maps, the BID can advocate more effectively for public investments, directly influencing the quality of urban living and business conditions in Sunnyside.
Boost Existing Programs: The intelligence platform informs targeted actions, such as graffiti removal and beautification campaigns, and provides crucial data for business assistance programs, ensuring they meet the community's actual needs.
A Blueprint for Data-Driven Programs
"Our partnership with North Arrow has not only empowered us with unprecedented insights into our neighborhood but also laid the groundwork for better serving the needs of our business and property owners," reflects Dirk. "As we look toward growing our BID, this data becomes invaluable, enabling us to carefully decide if, where and how to expand. It ensures that our growth is not only strategic but also respectful of the unique needs and specificities of potential new members and the community at large."
This journey with Sunnyside Shines epitomizes the transformative potential of data and mapping in urban strategy, operations, and growth. Integrating real-time data analytics into the fabric of BID operations allows us not just to solve today's problems but also to strategically plan for potential expansion. This approach ensures that every decision and action is informed, impactful, and aligned with both current and future community aspirations.
The Road Ahead
As we continue to enrich this platform with additional layers of data, including real estate trends and foot traffic analysis, the scope for driving positive change grows. This success story underscores one of North Arrow's core beliefs: with the right tools, vision, and collaborative spirit, urban communities can harness the power of data to not only envision but also actualize a vibrant, inclusive future.
In sharing our story, we hope to inspire other BIDs and urban development entities to embark on their own data-driven journeys, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth, engagement, and revitalization.
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