Long Beach, NY – Furthering her support for downtown revitalizations and the development of walkable, mixed-use communities near public transit, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran announced the winners of the County’s first Transit-Oriented Development funding competition for qualified local municipalities. Allocating a total of $1,050,000 dollars for this funding initiative, Curran established the new grant program with the Nassau County Office of Community Development in October of 2019 which received a robust response and competitive applications. Seven municipalities including the City of Long Beach, Town of North Hempstead, Village of Freeport, Town of Oyster Bay, Village of Farmingdale, Town of Hempstead and Village of Hempstead, will each be awarded $150,000 for specific transit-oriented development projects.
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 communities have already championed and embraced our model of Nassau County as a place to ‘live, work, play’ with revitalized, walkable downtowns near transit,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. “With the growth of our Main Street business districts comes the need for pedestrian safety improvements, traffic calming, parking access and more and I am proud to help ease these growing pains for several communities with these strategic investments. We must continue to capitalize on New York State’s investments in the LIRR and push our towns, villages and local developers to build ideal destinations for commuters and residents that attract the next generation and boost our local economy.”
The funding applications submitted under this initiative were reviewed by the County’s Office of Community Development to determine whether the proposed activity will lead to development that improves access to public transportation and promotes sustainable growth within the consortium.
The County Executive announced the grant recipients at the LIRR train station in Long Beach, a key transportation hub and the epicenter of tourism on the County’s south shore. The County Executive was joined by members of the Long Beach City Council and community leaders and advocates from Arts in the Plaza, Long Beach Chamber of Commerce and Long Island Streets.
“Continually improving transportation infrastructure is critical to the long-term growth and economic success of Long Beach,” Senator Todd Kaminsky said. “I was happy to advocate for the City to receive this grant, which will allow it to improve its public facilities and encourage the use of environmentally-friendly transit.”
“I am so appreciative of County Executive Laura Curran and her team for recognizing this area of Roslyn as one suitable for transit-oriented development,” said Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth. “The Roslyn Train Station is in close proximity to homes, businesses and schools, so this pedestrian walkway will make it easier and safer for our residents to get to and from where they need to go.”
“Downtown Hicksville is a prime location for transit-oriented development and revitalization, and its continued renaissance has been a cornerstone of my administrations accomplishments since I took office in 2017,” Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. “I thank Nassau County for investing Federal money in the downtown as these funds will assist us with pedestrian safety improvements and beautification initiatives.”
"We are grateful to county executive and legislature for these funds. Long Beach is the epitome of transit-oriented development. These projects will help improve the attractiveness, safety and economic viability of our transit hub and downtown business district," said John Bendo, Long Beach City Council President.
All municipalities are receiving $150,000 each. Their projects are outlined below.
- Long Beach City – Projects include bike lanes and pedestrian safety infrastructure.
- The project location is in the center of Long Beach’s major downtown that surrounds a multi-modal center with LIRR station and Long Beach and NICE Bus terminal.
- The projects’ goals include enhancing pedestrian safety; making it easier for pedestrians to traverse the city and reach the train station; and increasing connectivity between the transit station and key features in the project area such as Kennedy Plaza, affordable housing, low/moderate income neighborhoods and local businesses.
- The project will include bike lanes and parking at multi-modal center. In addition, the plans include construction of a rain garden in front of the LIRR office with a seating area and educational signage regarding green infrastructure; an art mural and landscaping will be installed to decrease visual blight of LIRR chain link fence at edge of lower income neighborhood.
- North Hempstead - Projects include a pedestrian walkway near the train station and housing investments.
- The project location is adjacent to Roslyn Community Center which operates programs funded by the Nassau County Youth Board and Office for the Aging.
- Installation of a pedestrian walkway is expected to increase safety of residents walking to and from the area’s low-income rental housing, Roslyn Community Center, LIRR Roslyn station, NICE bus stops, local businesses and the Roslyn high school.
- Laurel Homes, adjacent to the project, is undergoing a $45 million redevelopment that will replace existing 66-unit apartment complex with new buildings containing 74 rental units with 8 set aside for seniors. In addition, $900,000 in HOME funds was awarded to the project by the Nassau County Office of Community Development.
- Hempstead Village - Projects include repaving and refurbishing a crosswalk near inter-modal Center.
- The street milling and repaving project is adjacent to a major NICE bus depot, Nassau County’s District Court in the heart of the Village’s downtown. The area’s LIRR station is also in walking distance to the planned roadwork.
- Hempstead Village is the largest village in New York State and contains hundreds of apartments within walking distance of both the bus depot and LIRR station.
- Oyster Bay Town - Projects include pedestrian safety infrastructure and streetscape amenities near the Hicksville LIRR.
- The project location is in the center of Hicksville’s major downtown that surrounds a multi-modal center with LIRR station and numerous NICE bus stops.
- The projects are expected to enhance pedestrian safety and make it easier for pedestrians to traverse the area to access parking and area amenities.
- The project features streetscape amenities including benches, planters, lighting and more.
- Hicksville in undergoing a review of its local zoning to permit increased density in the downtown area. This project will assist the town in preparing for the anticipated development.
- Farmingdale Village - Projects includes varied initiatives to connect parking to the shopping district and increase walkability.
- The project location is south of the existing downtown. The project seeks to connect the neighborhood to Farmingdale’s thriving downtown.
- Physical improvements include lighting, street trees, consistent parking signage and sidewalk and curb improvements to promote pedestrian access and safety for area south of downtown.
- Freeport Village - Projects include pedestrian safety improvements along Sunrise Highway.
- The project is located along Sunrise Hwy, south of the Freeport LIRR station from Henry St. to Guy Lombardo Blvd.
- Pedestrian streetscape improvements on the south side of Sunrise Hwy will be supported with the TODI monies.
- The greater area includes many residential apartments, a busy train station and NICE stops as well as downtown businesses primarily along Main Street.
- Hempstead Town - Projects include refurbishing commercial facades in Elmont.
- The project includes establishing of a commercial rehabilitation program to make façade improvements to businesses located along Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont. NICE bus runs along Hempstead Turnpike where many businesses are located.
Because the funding source is the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, all funded projects were required to be CDBG-eligible. Additionally, all funded projects will meet the low/moderate income national objective on an area-wide basis.
Funded projects are also required 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.