Staten Island Geography
The North Shore
The North Shore is composed of: Mariners Harbor, Port Richmond, Westerleigh, Meiers Corners, Graniteville, Castleton Corners, West Brighton, New Brighton, St. George, Tompkinsville, Stapleton, Grymes Hill, Park Hill, Clifton, and Rosebank. It is made up of 31,000 residents. With the development of the Lighthouse Point projects, the North Shore is bringing 20 new affordable housing units along with 80 market-rate housing units. There has been a substantial amount of effort in the rezoning of the North Shore which has worked towards providing affordable housing, establishing Mandatory Inclusionary Housing, encouraging retail development and improving public spaces. The area of Richmond Terrace holds one of the last functioning waterfronts in NYC and is home to a collection of historic warehouse buildings that are reused for other projects and opportunities. The North Shore is home to some of the top cultural destinations on Staten Island such as the Staten Island Children's Museum, Staten Island Museum, St. George Theatre, and Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden. All of the projects and destinations on the North Shore contribute to Staten Island’s leadership in preserving history, art, and culture.
The West Shore
The West Shore of Staten Island is a large area of land on the border of the Arthur Kill, between the Staten Island Expressway and the Fresh Kills. The West Shore Business Improvement District (BID) is one of four industrial BIDs in NYC, out of a total of 76 BIDs. The main goal of the West Shore is to create and promote manufacturing in the area between the Goethals Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing. Large scale office buildings and hotels paved the way for big corporations and small businesses in the region. The West Shore’s largest and most recent development project was the Amazon fulfillment center, the only of its kind in NYC. Amazon has become the Island's largest employer, with approximately 6,000 employees, 60% coming from the Island. The West Shore BID is bringing new and exciting job opportunities to Staten Island.
The Mid-Island
The East Shore
The East Shore runs from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge down to the Raritan Bay near Tottenville. This area of Staten Island has the only railway on the Island. known as the Staten Island Railway (SIR). The train allows residents and workers to travel easily from town to town. New Dorp Lane is a very important part of the East Shore and contributes to the developments of Staten Island’s economy. Father Capodanno, home to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk (Fourth longest in the world) and Hylan Boulevard are two main arteries for traveling on the East Shore. One of Staten Island’s biggest medical institutions, Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) has multiple facilities on this side of the island. The East Shore has been a pivotal part of improving the Island’s economy and the community’s well-being.
The South Shore’s neighborhoods include, Great Kills, Eltingville, Annadale, Huguenot, Prince’s Bay, Woodrow, Charleston, Pleasant Plains, Arden Heights, Rossville, Tottenville, and Richmond Valley. These neighborhoods are conveniently clustered around train stations. The South Shore, more specifically, the area of Richmond Valley is an example of the future of Staten Island; large areas of vacant land are being converted into high-end commercial and office space. This region is also home to a number of popular parks, such as, Mount Loretto Unique Area, Lemon Creek Park, Gateway National Recreation Area (which has a marina), and the Conference House Park, as well as trendy eateries ranging from casual to formal dining. The South Shore BID services the towns of Annadale, Eltingville, and Great Kills, it represents over 170 commercial properties accounting for more than 300 businesses in total.
The South Shore
The area between the Staten Island Expressway and Arthur Kill Road is known as the “retail hub of Staten Island.” The mid-island area is home to various important locations for the borough's economy. The Staten Island Mall, Historic Richmond Town, LaTourette Golf Course, the Greenbelt, and the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art are located in this region. The Mid-Island area may not be undergoing major industrial improvements like the West Shore, or undergoing high-profile construction projects like the North Shore, but it remains one of the most important areas on Staten Island, because the area has taken on a life and spirit of its own with it’s vibrant streets, historic landmarks, vast parks and lakes, and local treasures.
Richmond Road Merchants Association
The Richmond Road Merchants Association is a part of the East Shore community and runs from Lincoln Avenue to Targee Street. The area consistently appeals to business owners thanks to the proximity to the borough’s prominent main roads. The commercial corridor is home to many family-owned businesses like Pastosa Ravioli, award-winning restaurants like Max’s Es-ca, and Staten Island’s well-known, Casale Jewelers.
Victory Boulevard Merchants Association
Victory Boulevard Merchants Association offers various retail shops, eateries, and more to the North Shore of Staten Island. This area runs from Bradley Avenue to Manor Road. The Staten Island Expressway and Dr. MLK Jr. Expressway are a short distance from the district and easily accessible. The area is home to classic Staten Island bakeries such as, Alfonso’s Pastry Shoppe and Cake Chef. The Association hosts many family and community events like a holiday tree lighting and Halloween stroll.
West Shore Business Improvement District (BID)
The West Shore Business Improvement District (WSBID) was formed in 2015 to provide assistance to, manufacturing and production facilities in the industrial district. The WSBID works to provide infrastructure and capital improvements for Staten Island's industrial corridor. Since its inception, the WSBID has provided much-needed services including private maintenance, government navigation ,financial support and advocacy on behalf of property owners and emerging industries.
North Hylan Merchants Association
Graniteville-Mariners Harbor Merchants Association
Graniteville-Mariners Harbor Merchants Association runs through a portion of Forest Avenue, between Sanders Street and Elizabeth Grove Road. This strip is a major thoroughfare and provides many shopping options due to its proximity to the Goethals Bridge. The district has an abundance of corporate retail with various local shops.
Rosebank Merchants Association
The area of Rosebank is a part of the northeast coast of Staten Island and runs along Bay Street between Fingerboard Road and Front Street. It has a variety of shopping and eating destinations along with many options for transportation. These options provide easy and accessible travel for commuters, such as the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, MTA buses, as well as the Staten Island Railway. The Alice Austen House Museum is a popular cultural destination located at the waterfront.
The New Dorp BID, also known as The New Dorp Lane District, is home to two of the most celebrated events: The New Dorp Restaurant Crawl and the New Dorp Lane Car Show. These annual events boasts over 10,000 visitors collectively and bring in numerous vendors. The district runs along New Dorp Lane between Hylan Boulevard and Richmond Road. While popular for their businesses, it is also appealing for its walkable corridor. Recently, the District celebrated its 350th birthday, making it one of Staten Island’s Historic Districts.
New Dorp Business Improvement District (BID)
The North Hylan Merchants Association is a part of the East Shore and spans the neighborhoods of Grasmere, Dongan Hills, Old Town, Grant City, and Midland Beach running along Hylan Boulevard from Parkinson Avenue to Lincoln Avenue. The businesses in this area are known across the borough for their delicious dining, entertainment options, medical care facilities, and much more. Staten Island’s premier and only bowling alley is Rab’s Country Lanes which is located in the corridor. The two mile merchant association encompasses approximately 220 storefronts boasting a variety of retail, eateries, and financial institutions.
Richmond Avenue Merchants Association
Richmond Avenue Merchants Association runs along Richmond Avenue between Travis Avenue and Forest Hill Road. The Staten Island Mall, multiple large shopping plazas, and numerous other big box retailers such as the borough's only Costco, have made this area of Staten Island appealing to shoppers and visitors.