Representative Adriano Espaillat and NewYork-Presbyterian Announce Recovery Grant Funding to Washington Heights Business Improvement District

NEW YORK, NY – Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), in collaboration with NewYork-Presbyterian, announced the Northern Manhattan Recovery Fund has awarded a new $450,000 grant to the Washington Heights Business Improvement District (BID) for its work to support the ongoing recovery of New York's 13th congressional district.

"I commend Washington Heights BID Executive Director Isidro Medina and the efforts underway through the 181st BID Broadway Beautification Project, which will be supported through this latest round of funding through the Northern Manhattan Recovery Fund," said Rep. Espaillat. "The Washington Heights BID has made it its mission to prioritize the beautification of the 168th -181st corridor so that this area can be enjoyed by residents throughout our community."

"The Washington Heights Business Improvement District is thrilled to have received this Northern Manhattan Recovery Fund grant from Congressman Adriano Espaillat and NewYork-Presbyterian. During the Covid-19 pandemic, our small businesses faced an imminent reality of not surviving. However, this is a very strong and resilient community that is ready to overcome many obstacles and impediments and was led by many key local stakeholders who came together in times of need. We are grateful to Congressman Espaillat and NewYork-Presbyterian for understanding and for providing tangible resources to our small business community to stay afloat and to flourish," said Isidro Medina, Executive Director, Washington Heights Business Improvement District (BID).

In March 2020, the Northern Manhattan Recovery Fund was established by NewYork-Presbyterian to provide emergency funding to district initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the Fund's inaugural year, emergency recovery funding was provided to support local small businesses and community-based organizations.

“NewYork-Presbyterian is committed to the Washington Heights community and to helping it thrive post-pandemic,” said Dr. Laureen Hill, Group Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia Division. “The Northern Manhattan Recovery Fund has provided critical grants to support community needs over the past three years, and this new grant to the Washington Heights Business Improvement District is an important way to keep our neighborhood looking beautiful. We thank Congressmember Espaillat for his partnership in identifying and supporting critical community projects and look forward to building on this work in the months to come.”

Funding to the Washington Heights BID will aim to transform Washington Heights through efforts that include the removal of graffiti from neighborhood storefronts and street furniture, maintaining tree pits, implementing supplemental sanitation seven days a week, and providing financial assistance for local businesses for replacement and upkeep of deteriorating storefronts.

This grant is part of a new round of funding through the Northern Manhattan Recovery Fund that will support a broad range of projects. These projects, which will be announced over the upcoming weeks, will support the ongoing recovery of the Northern Manhattan community and include investments to beautify area neighborhoods, promote food security, support housing and community spaces for youth and families, as well as support arts and culture and bolster workforce training for residents.