The Downtown Brooklyn Development Association was founded in 1929 as a civic group concerned with the problems of the business and shopping center in downtown Brooklyn. Their slogan was “In the interest of a better downtown Brooklyn.” The association closely monitored legislative activities which would assist or hinder the businesses in the area and organized support or opposition where necessary. They focused on attracting business owners and shoppers to Brooklyn through improved traffic and transit, redevelopment of the governmental buildings at Cadman Plaza, and beautification projects. The directors and officers of the association were comprised of prominent local business owners and presidents, vice-presidents, and chairmen of businesses including The Dime Savings Bank of Brooklyn, Abraham & Straus, Inc., the Brooklyn Eagle, Pyle-Gray Real Estate Co., the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corp., the Brooklyn Union Gas Company, the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, and the New York Telephone Company.
From the guide to the Downtown Brooklyn Development Association records, 1929-1971, (Brooklyn Historical Society)
