LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Rhonda A. Lewis upon the occasion
of her retirement from the Bridge Street Development Corporation

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed resi-
dents of this noble Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Rhonda A. Lewis upon the occasion of her retirement from the Bridge
Street Development Corporation, to be celebrated on Thursday, January
19, 2012; and
WHEREAS, With her retirement date which was effective on December 31,
2011, Rhonda Lewis has taken a new position as Executive Director of the
Greater Newark LISC; and
WHEREAS, Rhonda Lewis served as President & Chief Executive Officer of
Bridge Street Development Corporation (BSDC) for 10 years; a native of
the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, she made rebuilding New York City's
most distressed neighborhoods her life's work; in the course of her 25
years in real estate and economic development, she has underwritten a
significant amount in loans and grants to community groups; at BSDC, she
created more than 600 units of mixed-income housing as well as programs
ranging from commercial revitalization to financial literacy to civic
engagement and education; and
WHEREAS, On March 4, 2010, Rhonda Lewis graduated from the Neighbor-
Works Achieving Excellence in Community Development program in collab-
oration with Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government; she is
one of 49 leaders to graduate with this Achieving Excellence class, a
prestigious and highly selective training program for nonprofit execu-
tives offered by NeighborWorks America in collaboration with the Kennedy
School of Government; and
WHEREAS, Rhonda Lewis worked on high-profile retail projects, partner-
ing with BSDC and other Community Development Corporations to develop
over 2,000 housing units in Harlem, the Bronx and Brooklyn; as a result
of her labor and creativity, two historic projects emerged: Pathmark, a
long-needed supermarket on 125th Street; and a 134,000 square-foot
retail center in the South Bronx, the first retail center built there in
decades; and
WHEREAS, After joining BSDC in 2001, Rhonda Lewis has admitted to
being involved in many firsts for Bedford-Stuyvesant; among them include
building the first condominium at 380 Lewis Avenue; because of her sales
experience, and early recognition of a market for this type of home
ownership, this pioneering project jumpstarted Bedford-Stuyvesant's
condo market, and subsequently garnered her an award from the Brooklyn
Chamber of Commerce in 2005; and
WHEREAS, Rhonda Lewis is especially proud of BSDC's groundbreaking
work on 625 Quincy Street; the facility boasts 94 affordable senior
rental units, enabling residents to live independently in a quasi-as-
sisted living facility, another first for Bedford-Stuyvesant; and
WHEREAS, To address the health and recreational issues of the resi-
dents, BSDC developed relationships with the Bedford-Stuyvesant Family
Health Center, the local YMCA, the Diabetes Association, the Visiting
Nurse Service, and the Alzheimer's Association; and
WHEREAS, In the Spring of 2010, Rhonda Lewis and the Bridge Street
team celebrated the grand opening of Joshua Court; located at 300 Putnam
Avenue, this particular building, thanks to a coordinated partnership
spearheaded by BSDC, has been transformed into a safe and beautiful
place to live; with 52 affordable units, Joshua Court has emerged as the

first multifamily, green building in Bedford-Stuyvesant, replete with
rooftop solar panels; and
WHEREAS, At BSDC, Rhonda Lewis has created more than 500 units of
mixed-income housing, as well as programs ranging from commercial revi-
talization, to financial literacy to civic engagement and education;
under her leadership, BSDC has implemented the "Anti-Predatory Lending
Initiative", educating elderly Bedford-Stuyvesant residents, about
predatory lending by holding senior workshops; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Rhonda Lewis' distinguished record
merits the recognition and respectful tribute of this Legislative Body;
and
WHEREAS, During her tenure with BSDC, Rhonda Lewis earned the admira-
tion, esteem and affection of her colleagues; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Rhonda A. Lewis upon the occasion of her retirement from
the Bridge Street Development Corporation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rhonda A. Lewis.