History of Bridge Street Development Corporation

Bridge Street Development Corporation (BSDC) evolved from the 244 years of sustained community activism of the Bridge Street African Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the oldest African-American congregations in New York City. BSDC serves the Central Brooklyn community, primarily Bedford-Stuyvesant, which has a long history and a rich architectural and cultural heritage.

Our vision is to preserve Bedford-Stuyvesant as a desirable neighborhood for raising families, owning businesses and taking part in vibrant cultural, spiritual and recreational opportunities. Our motto, “Building on Community Strength,” describes our core belief that the most effective way to improve a community is to develop and promote local assets, including people, homes, businesses, and organizations.

Since its founding in 1995, Bridge Street Development Corporation has:

• Developed more than 500 units of affordable housing and sold homeownership units below market value; currently has more than 200 units in the development pipeline.
• Built the Quincy Senior Residence, a 94-unit building that provides safe, affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income seniors, enabling them to function independently in a quasi-assisted living community. View Senior Services
• Developed the first condominium project in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
• Successfully implemented the “Anti-Predatory Lending Initiative,” educating elderly Bedford-Stuyvesant residents, about predatory lending in a three-pronged approach: (1) holding workshops for seniors on how to protect themselves from predatory lending schemes and tactics; (2) working with homeowners threatened with a tax lien sale (real estate and/or water and sewer) to restore their tax status and avoid foreclosure; (3) connecting homeowners to reputable banks for refinancing and reverse mortgages.
• Began revitalizing three secondary commercial corridors in Bedford-Stuyvesant: Tompkins Avenue, Lewis Avenue, and Malcolm X Boulevard.
• Provided financing and support to ten businesses and invested in two entrepreneurial start-ups, creating ten jobs.
• Opened a technology-learning center that has trained nearly 1,200 residents.
• Opened the Wealth Creation Center and developed the first comprehensive financial literacy program in Bedford-Stuyvesant targeted to both high school students and adults. To date, we have graduated 30 students from the Business Planning Program.
• Formed block and tenant associations to strengthen the neighborhood and make it safer by becoming fully involved with the local Police Precinct Council and the Community Board.
• Organized beautification projects to improve overall cleanliness and appearance of the neighborhood.
• Sponsored community events to highlight the strength and promise of the community.