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In one section of Atlantic Avenue, construction of a new basketball arena is underway. On another end, the newly created Brooklyn Bridge Park is set to open. Right in the middle, a commercial strip of Boerum Hill is hoping to capitalize on all the new activity.

"I think there's incredible potential here," says Sterling Place owner Elizabeth Crowell. "It's a historic area, it has really wide sidewalks, beautiful trees which a lot of the people put in and it's sort of like a grand boulevard. Now all we need are more people to appreciate it and enjoy it."

Crowell is helping lead the drive for an Atlantic Avenue Business Improvement District that would unify the 300 businesses on the strip and bring improved services to the area. Not all shop owners are in favor, since it would mean paying dues to support the BID.

However, proponents say most businesses will give their okay.

"It seems like we have good traffic on the weekend but during the week it's still not a place where it's a destination spot," says Downtown Atlantic Restaurant owner Kurt Sippel. "We need it to become, since we are one of the largest avenues here in Brooklyn, much more of a destination spot."

Downtown Atlantic is one of more than 200 eateries participating in the annual "Dine In Brooklyn" event. The promotion, which runs until March 25, helps lure customers with a prix fixe menu.

"Many restaurants are two for $20.10 and two for $25. As as we say, what a deal," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

The promotion seems to be working for both the owners and the customers.

"It gives us a chance to fill up the restaurant more than we normally would have on days that we might not, like a Tuesday or a Wednesday," says Downtown Atlantic chef Fran Sippel.

"It gives us an opportunity to try new restaurants instead of the the same restaurants over and over," says customer Norman Benjamin.

Supporters of the business improvement district are convincing other store owners to join the effort, in the hopes of attracting economic vitality attract all year long.

A vote on whether to move forward is scheduled for late spring, and business owners hope the Atlantic Avenue BID is up and running by the end of the year.