For Immediate Release
Contact: Liana Hawes
718-855-9854
liana@hawesgroup.com

SYLVANIA To Donate Advanced Lighting Technology
for Doorway Lighting Project On Atlantic Avenue

Brooklyn, New York - May 3, 2004 -Lighting leader OSRAM SYLVANIA recently announced plans to donate groundbreaking light emitting diode (LED) technology to the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation (LDC) for "Lighting the Boulevard," a doorway lighting project developed as a result of the Master Plan for Atlantic Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn.

In this first-ever application, the technology will illuminate 150 residential and commercial doorways on Atlantic Avenue between Hicks Street and 4th Avenue, at essentially no cost to property owners or tenants. The design will be previewed for the public on Saturday May 8 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Belarusian Church 401 Atlantic Avenue at Bond Street. Property owners and Avenue merchants are encouraged to attend to see these concept designs and provide initial feedback to the LDC.

According to a master plan analysis conducted by Civitas, Inc. with input from the business and residential community, Atlantic Avenue currently suffers from gaps in streetscape amenities, including street trees and street/pedestrian lighting. The plan has recommended storefront lighting as a priority first step toward improving the overall streetscape character, safety and image of the avenue. Internationally renowned lighting artist Leni Schwendinger has been retained by the LDC to conceptualize, design and manage the program. She has identified LED-based lighting as an ideal, long-term lighting solution for the building exteriors on Atlantic Avenue where historic preservation and redevelopment go hand in hand. In the past, LEDs were relegated to automotive interior lighting or blinking low battery power indicators. The technology has advanced to where LEDs can now provide illumination with extremely low energy and maintenance requirements. Schwendinger and her firm, Leni Schwendinger Light Projects, Ltd. are working closely with OSRAM SYLVANIA and DesignPlan, a national fixture manufacturer, to develop a customized family of fixtures based on a new module that provides an exceptional amount of light output for a long time. Schwendinger will also consult with merchants and building owners on the design elements and strategic positioning of the fixtures in the doorways.

The project is being sponsored by the LDC with a goal to enhance the feeling of safety and enchantment for 40,000+ residents, pedestrians and retailers on Atlantic Avenue and in surrounding neighborhoods. A one-block pilot program on the south side of Atlantic Avenue between Hoyt and Bond Streets is currently funded for implementation. The LDC is currently identifying additional funding sources to extend the installation to other blocks on this one-mile stretch of Atlantic between 4th Avenue in Boerum Hill and Hicks Street in Brooklyn Heights.

Applications for participation are currently being accepted from merchants and property owners who can contact the LDC at 718-875-8993 or via email at atlanticave@atlanticave.org.

The Atlantic Avenue Master Plan was sponsored by the Atlantic Avenue Leadership Conference, a collaboration of 50 local community groups and businesses, including the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation. The LDC is a Section 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization committed to the economic development of the Atlantic Avenue area from Fourth Avenue to the East River waterfront in Brooklyn, New York. For more information, please call 718-875-8993