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Facing Franklin Avenue's Challenges

By Kathianne Boniello

Attempts to maintain the vitality of Garden City's business district were good, but more work is needed, according to bussinessman and Chamber of Commerce member Jerry Unger.

"We need to market Garden City to the business community," Unger said at last Thursday's village board meeting. "We need to tell people we are business friendly."

Unger, a main organizer of "Project Garden City -- Fridays on Franklin," a weekly summertime festival, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, that attempted to provide a community presence on Franklin Avenue, said that while the project was successful, the Village needs to do more to stave off community decline.

"As a Franklin Avenue merchant, I am still distressed by empty stores on our streets," Unger said. "To transients, Garden City looks like it's in deep decline."

Part of the problem, Trustee Peter A. Bee said, could be that merchants seeking to establish themselves in Garden City are unaware of the services available to them.

"Businesses seeking approval often don't know that the Building, Planning, and Architectural Design and Review Boards offer informal meetings that will help maximize the passability of their applications, " Bee said.

Trustee Harold P. Hecken agreed, noting that many potential merchants who seek approval are not fully prepared and that if more people knew they could seek guidance, the application process would be swifter.

To counter the spectre of decline, in February, a group of merchants began to work on revitalizing the spirit along Franklin Avenue. The result, according to Unger, was that every Friday afternoon for 17 weeks, exhibitions and activities attracted 500-1500 people to the Village's main thoroughfare.

Trustee Judith A. Asselta priased the work of the merchants. "You did a fantastic job and I am looking forward to next year."

Unger acknowledged the success of the project, but noted the imperfections as well.

"We consider it to have been a monster success," Unger said. "[But] there are negatives that need to be addressed."

Problems, Unger said, included a lack of parking, high speed traffic on Franklin Avenue, and at times, a low turn out.

"It's embarrassing when not a lot of people show up," he said. "Can we slow down the traffic? Provide on-street parking?"

"We must remember we have an illness," he said. "And we must stop the illness here."