MINEOLA, NY – In order to support existing mixed-use downtowns and to encourage further development of vibrant, walkable, mixed-use communities surrounding transit stations in Nassau County, County Executive Laura Curran announced that the Nassau County Office of Community Development has established a funding initiative for Transit Oriented Development projects for qualified local municipalities. The available funding is part of the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program received by Nassau County through an annual allocation. This initiative is intended to support overall project costs and promote development that maximizes the amount of residential, business, and public open space within walking distance of public transportation, referred to as Transit-Oriented Development (TOD).
“Throughout the County, several Villages have already championed and embraced our model of Nassau County as a place to ‘live, work, play’ with revitalized, walkable downtowns near transit that draw our young people and ultimately grows our tax base,” said County Executive Curran. “This funding may also be used to address growing pains of recent TOD development - from parking concerns, to traffic issues, to improvements to pedestrian safety. We must take advantage of New York State’s investments in the LIRR third track and continue to do everything we can to facilitate and support these transformative efforts, where it makes sense, for the future of Nassau County.”
Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island, commended the County for establishing the fund, saying, “The growth of our Main Street business districts comes with the need for pedestrian amenities and placemaking opportunities that improve the experience of living, working and shopping downtown. It’s great to see Nassau County fund infrastructure work for necessary traffic calming, parking access, façade improvement, streetscapes and public space associated with TOD and downtown redevelopment. The good news is that there are now many Villages and unincorporated hamlets in Nassau County that have robust downtown revitalization and TOD programs that can take advantage of this funding opportunity with successful projects that will be well worth the investment.”
“By making better use of existing public space and improving connectivity between housing, transit, shopping districts and recreational areas, communities can improve livability while also enhancing the local economy and tax base” added Kevin Crean, the County’s Director of Community Development. “The Office of Community Development stands ready to assist local consortium member municipalities make the best use of these funds.”
The County has allocated a total of one million dollars for this initiative, with intentions to fund at least three projects. The maximum award per municipality is $400,000. All funding applications submitted under this initiative will be reviewed by the County’s Office of Community Development to determine whether the proposed activity will lead to development that increases public transport ridership and promotes sustainable growth within the consortium. The County is now accepting applications. The deadline to submit is October 18th. For more information, please call the Nassau County Office of Community Development: 516-571-0200.
Funds awarded under the TOD initiative may be used for CDBG-eligible activities including:
- Public Facilities Improvements – which may include:
- Streetscape enhancements;
- Complete streets and traffic calming work;
- Creation or expansion of public space within a mixed-use downtown;
- Improvements to pedestrian/bicyclist access to and within the defined TOD area;
- Purchase and installation of wayfinding signage, street furniture, lighting, bicycle racks, tree planting, etc. in conjunction with a comprehensive streetscape improvement program.
- Commercial rehabilitation (including façade improvements and new signage)
- Economic development
- Property acquisition including closing costs
- Property disposition
- Clearance/demolition
- Rehabilitation of acquired properties
Because the funding source is the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, all funded projects much be CDBG-eligible and must meet the low/moderate income national objective on either an area-wide basis or through the creation of jobs, a majority of which will be available to low- and moderate-income populations.
Funded projects must be able to be completed within two years of the execution of a CDBG Funding Agreement between the Nassau County Office of Community Development and the Consortium Member.