Far more than another planning document for Staten Island's improvement, SI 2020 is a comprehensive economic development framework issued by Center for an Urban Future, a prominent New York City think tank with a long track record of bringing their rigorous information gathering and problem-solving techniques to bear on a host of issues important to the City....

The research for SI 2020 is based upon the input of dozens of civic leaders, elected officials and business owners on Staten Island and throughout the region as well as data analysis culled from the U.S. Census Bureau, NYS Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service, to name a few. The report is designed specifically to address the problems currently facing the Borough and to provide actionable solutions to those problems.

SI 2020 posits two central points. First, if current economic trends continue, Staten Island will likely find itself in the year 2020 with a weak economy and few opportunities for meaningful local employment. Second, there exist a number of potential growth areas in the borough that, with support, could advance economic development in both the short and long term. Specifically, SI 2020 offers the following fourteen concrete recommendations as the means to guide Staten Island toward the creation of a diverse and healthy economy in the year 2020. Listed along with the recommendations are projects currently being pursued. Since 2007 when the report was released, SIEDC has initiated and supported efforts to achieve each of the 14 recommendations and will continue to work toward complete success. Below are the recommendations- five have been achieved.

1. Initiate a Master Plan for Staten Island's Future Growth The Island's New York City Council delegation introduces legislation to create borough master plans every four years. The legislation, Introduction 632-07, currently has 30 sponsors.

2. Press for an immediate reversal of the recent downzonings along major strips in St. George, Stapleton and other commercial areas that are located along transit centers ACHIEVED! Areas of Stapleton are rezoned through creation of the Special Stapleton Waterfront District. The NYC Department of City Planning begins the Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP) to rezone parts of St. George and create a transit-centered, pedestrian friendly, business and residential district.

3. Support efforts already underway to create new public transit options for Staten Islanders SIEDC commences Phase II of the West Shore Light Rail study which will determine the alignment, ridership and capital costs for establishing a light rail system with linkage to the Hudson Bergen Light Rail system in Bayonne, NJ.

4. Push for a plan to redevelop the old U.S. Gypsum site on Richmond Terrace ACHIEVED! Atlantic Salt Co. obtains the necessary permits for taking down derelict buildings and will be working with SIEDC to present the site to interested developers.

5. Develop a plan to better support the island's growing population of minority and immigrant entrepreneurs Through a grant from JP Morgan Chase, SIEDC initiates an Immigrant and Minority Entrepreneur program that provides business training seminars and events through partnerships with the Staten Island Immigrant Council, New York Association for New Americans, SCORE, Island Voice, the US Minority Business Development Agency and others.

6. Take steps to ensure the future expansion of Howland Hook and the maritime services sector With the support of Councilman James S. Oddo, SIEDC puts together a Maritime Advisory Committee, composed of maritime business owners, civic leaders and maritime experts to address local concerns and issues. SIEDC also participates in the American Institute of Architects Regional Urban Design Assistance Team (R/UDAT) waterfront study sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the NYC Economic Development Corporation's West Shore Vision Study.

7. Commission a study on the prospects for growth in port-related warehousing on Staten Island Working with leading academic experts on port-related issues, SIEDC has begins investigating the options for commissioning this study.

8. Work with leaders of the borough's colleges and universities to support their growth Task force composed of the Island's colleges, hospitals, SIEDC and elected officials work to obtain professional housing for its faculty and staff.

9. Tap the economic potential of the Staten Island Ferry ACHIEVED! The New York City Economic Development Corporation issues a public lease offer for retail tenants at the St. George and Whitehall ferry terminals and works with SIEDC for merchant referrals.

10. Make commuter-friendly improvements to the ferry NYC Department of Transportation works to secure WiFi in the terminals and on board the ferryboats.

11. Promote Staten Island's cultural, recreational and culinary assets achieved ACHIEVED! SINY created to develop image-building initiatives for Staten Island

12. Support a comprehensive planning initiative to revitalize St. George and Stapleton SIEDC releases St. George Station vision plan to create a retail and residential mixed-use development adjacent to St. George terminal.

13. Host an achieved-level, attention-grabbing event that brings policy experts from across the country to Staten Island ACHIEVED! SIEDC conducts a third major event - the Health & Wellness Expo - in addition to the Annual Conference and SINY Film Festival.

14. Convene a task force about what the aging of Staten Island's population means for the borough's economy and workforce Task force works to create a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) for the borough.