Guider Mall

“It is not for the best interest of Brooklyn. I am opposed to it.”
- Joseph A. Guider (1870-1926)

Joseph A. Guider began his career as a builder, but soon turned to Brooklyn politics, where he served as an assemblyman, Public Works commissioner, and borough president. Strong-willed and determined, Guider fought hard for the borough in which he lived and worked. Notable accomplishments in his career include the construction of Brooklyn’s Municipal Building, the creation of new subway lines, the extension of the Coney Island Boardwalk, and the fight for a University of Brooklyn. This mall is named in his honor.

Guider began a career as a builder when he secured an apprenticeship at age 18. He soon gained national recognition, traveling the country to provide his services. Although successful, he loved Brooklyn and soon took hiatus from his trade to enter city politics. Beginning in 1895, Guider served for three consecutive terms for Brooklyn’s 11th District in the City Assembly. Among his notable achievements, he sponsored and passed an 1897 bill allowing bicyclists to cross the Brooklyn Bridge free of charge.

Breaking formal ties with city government in 1900, Guider returned to his career as a builder. He never completely left city government and unofficially stayed involved in 11th district politics. He secured the election of Democratic leader of the district in 1916, and used this position to springboard to the position of Public Works commissioner in 1918.

In January of 1925 Guider was installed as interim borough president. In November of that year Guider successfully retained his office, winning re-election. Among the first order of business that Guider attended to while in office was the widening of streets and avenues across the borough to clear congestion and make Brooklyn easier to traverse. In February, 1925 it was reported that Brooklyn lead New York City’s boroughs in building improvements, spending an estimated $242 million.

Of utmost importance to Guider was the establishment of a university in Brooklyn. Although the City was pushing for an extension of City College to be located in the borough, Guider proposed and fought for an independent University of Brooklyn. He wanted the University located in Prospect Park. Although his idea never reached fruition, a Brooklyn College, part of the City College system was established in 1930, in Flatbush.

Mayor John F. Hylan proposed a system of 22 new subway routes for Brooklyn in June 1925. Guider, however, felt that the proposed routes were compromised by cost-cutting and that more convenient routes could be laid out, although at a 20% additional cost. The two men fought for their respective plans in front of the Board of Estimate on July 1, 1925. After a day of hearings, the Board accepted Borough President Guider’s proposed route, not the Mayor’s, at a cost of $642 million.

In an effort to develop downtown Brooklyn into a civic arena, Guider also spearheaded the project which built the Municipal Building on Joralemon Street, across from Borough Hall, as well as the county courthouse on Schermerhorn Street. Although creating the courthouse was estimated at $1 million, Guider successfully purchased the building, valued at $600,000, for $120,000, thus shaving close to 50% of the cost of the project.

Joseph Guider died of a Peritonitis infection on September 22, 1926 at the age of 56. He was remembered by hundreds of people at multiple memorial services as being a kind man who always fought tirelessly for the borough he was born in and loved.

Guider Mall runs down Guider Avenue between Coney Island Avenue and East 12th Street. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani provided $66,607 in October 2000 to plant this site. In June 2001, the Mayor contributed an additional $46,408 for further work. The curbs were replaced and Plum (Prunus spp.) and Mountain-Ash (Sorbus spp.) trees were planted along with Saltspray Rose (Rosa rugosa), Golden cup St. John’s wart (Hypericum frondosum), Liriope (Liriope), and Juniper shrubs (Juniperus spp.).