STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.—What began as a simple Fat Tuesday notion burst into a lively Mardi Gras moment on Castleton Avenue Tuesday evening, injecting fresh momentum into a corridor where merchants are pushing hard for visibility, regular events and overdue city improvements. Organized by the Castleton Avenue Merchants Association, the celebration stretched from Oakland to Davis Avenues and drew about 60 visitors who came out to enjoy the colorful strip.

State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton has also emerged as an important supporter of the strip. In October, she helped bring merchants, officials and city agencies together for an open discussion about the corridor’s needs and long‑standing quality‑of‑life challenges. Daggan said that early involvement set the tone for ongoing progress. “Senator Scarcella‑Spanton really showed up for us,” she said. “She got everyone to the table back in the fall, and having her here today was huge. It tells us the work we’re doing on this corridor matters—and that people at the highest levels are paying attention.”

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