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In September 2003, less than two years after the voters of Flushing made him the first Asian-American City Councilman, John Liu (D-Flushing) was instrumental in the formation of the Downtown Flushing Transit Hub Business Improvement District, more commonly known as the Flushing BID.

And as the BID rang in the close of its sixth year last Thursday, the group’s board of directors and other members thanked the man who has represented their concerns at the city level since the BID’s creation, but who will be moving on next month to his new post as city comptroller.

“The Flushing business community is very much indebted to the hard work John Liu put in on behalf of the business community,” Myra Baird Herce, chairwoman of the Downtown Flushing Marketing Task Force, said. “No BID would have taken place in Flushing without him.”

Formed by a coalition of property owners, businesses, residents and community leaders, the Flushing BID, the city’s 45th such group, is a nonprofit public-private partnership that works to promote the area commercial district while providing various services for its members.

A forward-looking BID, the group pursues innovations and was the first in the city to deploy “Big Belly” solar-powered trash compactors on its sidewalks. The event for Liu was held at Flushing’s Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel and provided a rare chance for all its members and supporters to gather in one place for food, camaraderie and holiday cheer.

Although it was billed as the group’s third-annual Flushing Holiday Reception and history was a focus of some of the day’s remarks, the afternoon was spent mainly honoring various members and supporters of the BID and Liu,in particular.

The outgoing councilman took a few moments to speak to the group about the historical nature of Flushing and the future it faces.

“We’ve got a lot more history to be made here in Flushing because this is a place of constant change, constant improvement that will be good for Flushing and good for New York City,” Liu said. “Happy holidays to everyone as we celebrate Flushing’s history and the history to be made.”

Reach reporter Connor Adams Sheets by e-mail at csheets@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.

©2009 Community Newspaper Group