By Carla Zanoni
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — The Washington Heights Business Improvement District appointed a new director Monday, four months after a vote of no confidence pushed out her predecessor.
Angelina Ramirez, a former American Express senior executive, assumed the role of executive director for the BID this week, replacing George Sanchez.
Sanchez was pushed out amid claims he had not built strong relationships with business owners.
“I am confident Angelina will hit the ground running and help rebuild this organization to best serve Washington Heights and its businesses,” Small Business Services Commissioner Robert Walsh told Crain's.
Ramirez, 35, will run one of the city’s smallest BIDS that represents retail businesses on West 181st Street from Audubon Avenue to Fort Washington Avenue.
According to Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, who led the board committee that ousted the former director in April, Ramirez will work to foster economic development in the area as well as keep the streets along the business corridor cleaner for neighborhood residents.
Ramirez will have a lot of work to catch up on. Reports showed that during the 11 years that Sanchez was in charge of the BID, he had failed to accomplish many of its goals, such as the revitalization and development of the business strip, despite an annual budget of more than $500,000.
This spring, Walsh toured the area with Rodriguez and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer after Sanchez was ousted in order to set priorities for the area's rejuvenation.
During the tour, Stringer lamented the negligence he perceived on the part of the BID.
"Small businesses are the lifeblood of our neighborhoods, and there’s no better way to see firsthand the challenges they face than by pounding the pavement in this area of Washington Heights,” Stringer said.
"The economic crisis was enough of a blow to local businesses, but having an inactive BID serve struggling mom-and-pops is adding insult to injury."
