BID Services
Supplemental Sanitation
Sunnyside Shines provides supplemental sanitation services within the boundaries of the Business Improvement District. These services consist of sweeping the sidewalks in the district every day, emptying trash receptacles, and removing graffiti (from buildings and street furniture). In 2012 we expanded our sanitation services to seven days per week. We are proud to contract with StreetPlus, who work hard every day for Sunnyside, to provide these services.
During fiscal year 2022-2023 we:
Collected 61,380 trash bags.
Removed 3,083 instances of graffiti.
We have additional trash cans in the district throughout our work.
Collected 61,380 trash bags.
Removed 3,083 instances of graffiti.
We have additional trash cans in the district throughout our work.
Beautification & Streetscape Initiatives
We continue our work to improve our streetscape and beautify the district, creating a better place to shop, do business, and live. With the generous support of NYC Councilmember Julie Won, Sunnyside Shines helps beautify the district with hanging flower baskets along Queens Boulevard and Greenpoint Avenue. These distinctive flower baskets add color and greenery to the neighborhood and are maintained and watered by our street clean team from StreetPlus. We provide __ baskets in the district.
In early 2014, Sunnyside Shines launched our Street Tree Initiative to improve the health and appearance of street trees in the commercial district. We brought visible improvements to our commercial corridors, installing wrought iron tree guards, expanded tree pits, and new street trees. We accept sponsorships from property owners, business owners, and local community residents, to support and expand this important work. We maintain __ tree beds.
In early 2014, Sunnyside Shines launched our Street Tree Initiative to improve the health and appearance of street trees in the commercial district. We brought visible improvements to our commercial corridors, installing wrought iron tree guards, expanded tree pits, and new street trees. We accept sponsorships from property owners, business owners, and local community residents, to support and expand this important work. We maintain __ tree beds.
Graffiti Removal
Sunnyside Shines implemented a monthly graffiti removal program in March, 2013. This program is in effect in the blocks that are part of the BID.
Removing graffiti tags from storefronts and roll-down gates on a regular basis project the image of a clean and vibrant commercial district, while helping attract additional shoppers and merchants to the neighborhood.
To report graffiti on your business within the BID, please email Evelyn at evelyn@sunnysideshines.org or call us at 718-606-1800 and we will add your location to our list of places to clean.
Removing graffiti tags from storefronts and roll-down gates on a regular basis project the image of a clean and vibrant commercial district, while helping attract additional shoppers and merchants to the neighborhood.
To report graffiti on your business within the BID, please email Evelyn at evelyn@sunnysideshines.org or call us at 718-606-1800 and we will add your location to our list of places to clean.
View boundary map
Holiday Lights
From November through January, Sunnyside Shines has holiday lights installed along Queens Boulevard and Greenpoint Avenue. We have four Welcome to Sunnyside skylines installed (two on Queens Boulevard and two on Greenpoint Avenue) and 22 skylines installed, one per block. These beautiful snowflake streamers create a shimmering holiday corridor for all who pass through.
View Holiday Lights Map
Bliss and Lowery Plazas
Sunnyside Shines manages the two plazas below the 7 train (Bliss - 46th Street, and Lowery - 40th Street).
In 2014, Sunnyside Shines was pleased to partner with the NYC Department of Transportation, then Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer, Senator Michael Gianaris, and then Assemblymember Cathy Nolan, to open two new public spaces in Sunnyside - Bliss Plaza and Lowery Plaza. Located under the elevated 7 train, Bliss and Lowery Plazas provide much-needed spaces in the community where people can sit, relax, eat lunch, or meet friends. The plazas are supplied with moveable tables and chairs, and we provide colorful planters at all four entrances to each plaza that we update quarterly with seasonal plantings.
In 2014, Sunnyside Shines was pleased to partner with the NYC Department of Transportation, then Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer, Senator Michael Gianaris, and then Assemblymember Cathy Nolan, to open two new public spaces in Sunnyside - Bliss Plaza and Lowery Plaza. Located under the elevated 7 train, Bliss and Lowery Plazas provide much-needed spaces in the community where people can sit, relax, eat lunch, or meet friends. The plazas are supplied with moveable tables and chairs, and we provide colorful planters at all four entrances to each plaza that we update quarterly with seasonal plantings.
Sunnyside Shines managers the two plazas and is responsible for the maintenance and programming of these spaces. We close the plazas each night, locking the tables and chairs up, and provide rat abatement as well. We bring cultural events to the plazas regularly, working with local artists to feature them, and finding innovative partners to broaden our programming. We have had fitness classes in the plazas and host our holiday markets in the plazas.
Neighborhood Marketing - Promoting Sunnyside
Through neighborhood marketing and events, we work to promote the Sunnyside commercial district as a great place to eat, shop, and visit.
We aim to create events and plan promotions that generate excitement about shopping local in Sunnyside and highlighting the incredible diversity of our local businesses and residents.
We coordinate the Sunnyside Community Cultural Initiative (SCCI) that sites music and dance performances in the Bliss (46th Street) and Lowery (40th Street) Plazas on Thursdays, between May and October.
We aim to create events and plan promotions that generate excitement about shopping local in Sunnyside and highlighting the incredible diversity of our local businesses and residents.
We coordinate the Sunnyside Community Cultural Initiative (SCCI) that sites music and dance performances in the Bliss (46th Street) and Lowery (40th Street) Plazas on Thursdays, between May and October.
Sunnyside Shines, in conjunction with Manhatitlan Mexican Folkloric Dance Group, hosts Dia de Muertos events on November 2, along the 7 line, collaborating with Queens Economic Development Corporation, Long Island City Partnership, LaGuardia Community College (including Casa de las Americas), and the 34th Avenue Open Streets Coalition.
In conjunction with Sunnyside Social, Queens Community Board 2, and a local planning committee, Sunnyside Shines plans and produces the annual SunnyPride LGBTQ+ Celebration every June.
Sunnyside Shines hosts 17 additional community cultural celebrations throughout the year, ranging from an MLK celebration, Lunar New Year, Holi/Phagwa (the festival of colors), Women’s History, Irish Heritage, Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage, Juneteenth, Colombian Independence, Ecuadorian Independence, Hispanic Heritage, Chuseok, Italian Heritage, Filipino Heritage, Diwali (the festival of lights), World AIDS Day and our Holiday Lights event.
Sunnyside Shines produces the Taste of Sunnyside restaurant every October - one of the largest tasting events in Queens. (www.tasteofsunnyside.com)
Sunnyside Shines runs Sunnyside Restaurant Week, the Sunnyside Spa and Salon Fest, and Get Fit Sunnyside.
In conjunction with Sunnyside Social, Queens Community Board 2, and a local planning committee, Sunnyside Shines plans and produces the annual SunnyPride LGBTQ+ Celebration every June.
Sunnyside Shines hosts 17 additional community cultural celebrations throughout the year, ranging from an MLK celebration, Lunar New Year, Holi/Phagwa (the festival of colors), Women’s History, Irish Heritage, Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage, Juneteenth, Colombian Independence, Ecuadorian Independence, Hispanic Heritage, Chuseok, Italian Heritage, Filipino Heritage, Diwali (the festival of lights), World AIDS Day and our Holiday Lights event.
Sunnyside Shines produces the Taste of Sunnyside restaurant every October - one of the largest tasting events in Queens. (www.tasteofsunnyside.com)
Sunnyside Shines runs Sunnyside Restaurant Week, the Sunnyside Spa and Salon Fest, and Get Fit Sunnyside.
Business Resources and Assistance
City Resources
NYC Small Business Services (SBS)
Free Webinars
NYC Department of Small Business Services Events | Eventbrite
Merchant Bulletin
Subscribe to get our monthly Merchant Bulletin where we provide updates on new rules and regulations, provide information on new business resources, and share grant and loan opportunities.
[link to bulletin board]
Advocacy
Sunnyside Shines provides advocacy and assistance to small businesses and property owners with city and state agencies. We work regularly with NYC Department of Buildings, NYC Department of Transportation, Street Activities Permit Office (SAPO), the NYPD, FDNY, NYC Parks Department, NYC Department of Sanitation, and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, among others. We work closely with the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) and attend city council hearings when the topic pertains to our small businesses.
Connect with Us
Contact us with any questions, inquiries, or requests. Ask us anything. Send an email to director@sunnysideshines.org
Small Business Resource Guide
(English/Spanish)
NYC Small Business Services (SBS)
Free Webinars
NYC Department of Small Business Services Events | Eventbrite
Merchant Bulletin
Subscribe to get our monthly Merchant Bulletin where we provide updates on new rules and regulations, provide information on new business resources, and share grant and loan opportunities.
[link to bulletin board]
Advocacy
Sunnyside Shines provides advocacy and assistance to small businesses and property owners with city and state agencies. We work regularly with NYC Department of Buildings, NYC Department of Transportation, Street Activities Permit Office (SAPO), the NYPD, FDNY, NYC Parks Department, NYC Department of Sanitation, and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, among others. We work closely with the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) and attend city council hearings when the topic pertains to our small businesses.
Connect with Us
Contact us with any questions, inquiries, or requests. Ask us anything. Send an email to director@sunnysideshines.org
Small Business Resource Guide
(English/Spanish)