DHCR Commissioner Honored by Bed Stuy Restoration Corp.
Commissioner VanAmerongen was recently honored for her accomplishments and commitment by the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation (Restoration), one of the oldest community development corporations in the entire nation.
The event was hosted by Restoration's Chairman, Wayne C. Winborne and President Colvin W. Grannum. Maurice DuBois, CBS 2 News Anchor, acted as Master of Ceremonies.
Noted environmental attorney and activist Robert Kennedy Jr., also attended the event. Kennedy's father, while serving as New York's junior senator, authored a seven point action plan that would serve as a national model for community development and which would lead to the creation of the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation.
Kennedy said at that time, "The program for the development of Bedford Stuyvesant will combine the best of community action with the best of the private enterprise system. Neither by itself is enough, but in their combination lies our hope for the future."
In 1968, one year after its creation, Restoration purchased an abandoned milk bottling plant in the heart of Bedford Stuyvesant to serve as its corporate headquarters. Renovations soon began to create what is now known as Restoration Plaza. Completed in 1972, today this 300,000 square feet commercial plaza is home to Restoration's headquarters, the Billie Holiday Theatre, the Skylight Gallery and scores of local businesses, non-profits and government agencies, including bank branches of Chase, Washington Mutual Bank and Citibank, Super Foodtown, the College of New Rochelle and Assemblywoman Annette Robinson's office.
Since 1967, Restoration has constructed or renovated 2,200 units of housing, including homeownership and rental. The corporation has also beautifully repaired the facades of 150 homes on 150 blocks and provided $60 million in mortgage financing to nearly 1500 homeowners. As the height of its activity, Restoration was the second largest real estate owner in Brooklyn after the City of New York and controlled over $12 million in fixed assets.
Additionally, Restoration's programs have attracted more than $375 million in investments to Central Brooklyn and helped place more than 20,000 youth and adults in jobs.
Last Updated: 06/29/09