Nassau County, NY - Nassau County Executive Laura Curran was joined by labor leaders to announce details of the County’s federal stimulus proposal to advance twelve shovel ready, high priority Nassau County infrastructure projects – a key component of Curran’s pandemic economic recovery plan. The total value of this stimulus request is $583 million. The County estimates that over 3,300 full-time construction jobs and an economic output of over $400 million will be generated by the advancement of these critical projects.
“I am calling on our federal representatives to approve this infrastructure stimulus package to help us build back a county that is stronger than ever,” said County Executive Laura Curran. “Infrastructure investments are the foundation of our economic recovery - and essential to getting thousands of people back to work. The construction industry was hit hard by the pandemic with over 37,000 jobs lost on Long Island. Delays to infrastructure improvements are costly and have a rippling effect on our economy – when roads and bridges are poor, shipments of products are slower, vacant storefronts are harder to fill, and employees have a more difficult time getting to work. Robust federal stimulus is vital to preventing further economic catastrophe.”
“Due to the unprecedented fiscal constraints of the pandemic, progress on several critical infrastructure projects in Nassau County has been on hold,” said Congresswoman Kathleen Rice. “But as we continue to fight this virus, investments in our infrastructure will be essential for getting people back to work again. I commend County Executive Curran’s leadership on this front, and I support her call for a federal stimulus. I will continue fighting in Congress for the resources Nassau County needs to get through this crisis.”
“The effects of this pandemic have been cruelly uneven. While some individuals and businesses remain unscathed or even better off, others have been completely devastated,” said Congressman Tom Suozzi. “And with thousands of Long Islanders in need of work, what better way to create jobs for hardworking men and women than rebuilding our region’s infrastructure. We cannot, in good conscience, leave DC before the holidays without a relief package and when we come back after the inauguration of the new President, the first priority must be creating a robust infrastructure program for the nation. We must provide federal funding to help New Yorkers get back to work.”
“Amidst the current global health crisis, Nassau County remains focused on infrastructure improvements and increased employment opportunities. The pandemic shows few signs of abating, thereby adding urgency to the need for guaranteed federal funding that would provide a lifeline to jump start our local economy. The NSBCTC and its hardworking skilled tradespeople of Long Island recognize County Executive Laura Curran’s strong leadership and vision for a revitalized Nassau County. The County Executive's insistence for vital funding sources to revive stalled infrastructure projects signifies her strong commitment to improving quality of life in Nassau County. The plan is clear, we must emerge from these troubled times more prepared and more secure than before. We respectfully request that Senator Schumer put his full attention and consideration to this matter,” said Matthew Aracich, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
"President-Elect Joe Biden has outlined a pro-worker agenda to become the most pro-union President we have seen in a lifetime. We know that includes significant investments in infrastructure. Today, we join with Nassau County Executive Laura Curran to make sure the United States Senate gets the message. These projects are shovel ready. Once they do their job, we'll do ours. Nassau County is ready to build back better, and our affiliates and their members are ready to help them do it,” said John Durso, President of the Long Island Federation of Labor.
“The global pandemic has decimated our economy. The only way out is to continue investing in rebuilding New York State. Governor Cuomo and County Executive Laura Curran continue to be leaders on this front. We urge the New York congressional delegation to support infrastructure and begin re-developing our economy with projects like the Bayville Bridge,” said Marc Herbst, Executive Director of Long Island’s Contractors Association.
As a result of the COVID pandemic and limited access to financial markets, the County’s 2021 – 2024 Capital Plan is constrained due to the lack of borrowing that occurred in 2020 and uncertain access to financial markets going forward. In some cases, large scale infrastructure improvements that are ready to award and commence in early 2021 were re- sequenced to late 2021 and beyond in order to lessen short term financing needs to support the capital plan.
Despite fiscal restraints, the County endeavored to get these projects shovel ready, lining up the necessary approvals and completing other predevelopment activities to jumpstart construction in the event that federal support becomes available.
Delaying the award of these construction projects would delay the creation of construction jobs associated with them and the economic multiplier effect that also benefits the Nassau County and regional economy. Delay to these critical projects also delays the realization of much needed project benefits including improved water quality, improved storm resiliency, improved mobility options for pedestrians and cyclists, enhanced access to public transportation, economic development, new housing options and enhanced first responder training and preparedness.
Projects outlined in Curran’s proposal sent to federal representatives include:
TOP PRIORITY PROJECTS:
- Family & Matrimonial Court Phase Two • $102,925,000 – 478 FT Construction Jobs
- After being stalled since 2004, the Curran Administration was able to fast track phase one - the exterior envelope of the building, which is nearly complete.
- Phase two work will consist of interior construction of new courtrooms, hearing rooms, and office space, as well as new mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, security systems, landscaping, and site improvements. The interior fit out will also include dedicated space for a Family Justice Center.
- This new facility will improve the environment for residents and staff handling stressful civil, criminal, and family court cases in the County in a respectful and dignified way.
- Bayville Bridge Rehabilitation Program • $13,706,806 – 110 FT Construction Jobs
- Failures in the operation of the bridge in recent years have necessitated a full rehabilitation of the structure and its components.
- With an investment of $13.7 million, 110 full time construction jobs will be created while improving the overall state of repair for the County’s bridge network, allowing for major repairs to take place on 19 other bridges.
- Bay Park Conveyance Project • $394,028,000 – 2,293 FT Construction Jobs
- The Bay Park Conveyance project is one of several projects in the Western Bays Resiliency Initiative. Collectively, these projects will remove harmful discharges and improve water quality in the Western Bays of Nassau County.
- It is the most significant environmental investment to be made on Long Island in many decades, helping to clean our waterways, restore marshland, improve shell-fishing, and increase storm resilience. It will also translate into a tremendous economic boost for the region.
- The Conveyance Project is a joint endeavor with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and Nassau County via the design-build delivery method.
- Stimulus funding would offset long term County debt in excess of $350 million
- Baldwin Complete Streets • $3,000,000 – 45 FT Construction Jobs
- This project that would enhance the ongoing downtown revitalization efforts being conducted together with the Town of Hempstead and other community organizations.
- The project consists of pedestrian and traffic safety improvements, lane reduction/modifications, intersection realignment, curb bump-outs, new crosswalks and signals.
- These complete streets improvements will support several planned transit-oriented developments (TODs) in downtown Baldwin, consisting of mixed-use and multi-family housing.
- Austin Boulevard Road Improvement, Island Park • $8,978,689 – 81 FT Construction Jobs
- This project will take a comprehensive and innovative approach to improving the 1.4 mile stretch of Austin Boulevard in Island Park and Barnum Island.
- The roadway construction will improve pedestrian and vehicle safety, and drainage and storm resiliency improvements, to create a safer and more sustainable corridor.
- Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) including cameras, driver feedback signs for speed awareness and variable message signs will also be installed along the corridor to facilitate daily traffic flow and emergency evacuations.
- Police Academy Tactical Village • $6,000,000 – 27 FT Construction Jobs
- Constructing a new tactical village on the grounds of the NCPD Center for Training & Intelligence (Police Academy) in Uniondale is part of the County’s efforts to better prepare our first responders for the evolving education and training needs in policing in the years ahead.
- The village will replicate a series of structures common on Long Island, such as a residential dwelling, small office, and gas station, where training can be carried out under real-world conditions.
ADDITIONAL PRIORITY PROJECTS:
7. Nassau Hub Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Phase 1 • $2,875,000 – 13 FT Construction Jobs
8. Manorhaven Boulevard, Manorhaven Road Improvements • $3,853,000 – 19 FT Construction Jobs
9. West Broadway Road Improvements • $15,500,000 – 72 FT Construction Jobs $2,680,000 – 12 FT Construction Jobs
10. Centennial Park Improvements • $2,680,000 12 FTE construction jobs.
11. Cedar Creek Electrical Distribution Project • $9,480,051 – 50 FT Construction Jobs
12. Park Street/Beech Street Drainage Improvements • $20,000,000 – 116 FT Construction Jobs
The full package, which includes details on each project and their benefits, is available upon request.