presented by Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance

February 11th, 2022

Quote(s) of the Week

	“We are grateful to the Governor for this monumental award and look forward to continuing to work on behalf of our businesses and residents. We are thrilled to have been awarded these funds and begin the process of sensible growth as we re-envision our downtown for the future.” - Amityville Village Mayor Dennis Siry
	"I think that just like the South Fork, there’s a real demand and I think we can do something here that is quite beautiful and something that the town can be proud of." - David Gallo, president of Georgica Green Ventures.

New York Mask-or-Vaccine Requirement Lifted

On February 9th, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the statewide indoor business mask-or-vaccine requirement will be lifted starting Thursday, February, 10th, and will remain optional for businesses, local governments, and counties to enforce.

According to the Governor, this protocol, a temporary measure implemented on December 10th as statewide cases spiked, was an effective tool to address the winter surge and the rise of the Omicron variant. With case counts plummeting and hospitalizations sharply declining, this temporary measure is no longer needed statewide. Counties, cities, and businesses will be able to opt into the mask-or-vaccine requirement if they so choose.

"As we begin a new phase in our response to this pandemic, my top priority is making sure we keep New York safe, open and moving forward," Governor Hochul said.

According to Governor Hochul, masks remain a critical tool to fight the spread of COVID-19, and mask requirements will remain in place in certain high-density settings. All health care settings regulated by the Department of Health and other related state agencies will continue to require masks. Masks will also be required in nursing homes, adult care facilities, correctional facilities, detention centers, homeless shelters, and domestic violence shelters, public transit and transportation hubs, as well as trains, planes and airports in accordance with federal regulations.

"It’s a relief," said Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the LI Main Street Alliance. "Businesses can now make the decision to continue to mask their staff if they feel that’s what works for their customers. … But removing the mandate removes businesses from being arbiters, judges, the mask police. I think businesses can create an environment that is safe for their customer base by their own decision. They want to make the customers happy, but they don’t want to be in the middle of the mask wars."

Regarding students, the Governor announced plans to assess the mask requirement in schools in early March, to ensure students can continue learning in-person and in the classroom. The assessment will be based on public health data, including key metrics like cases per 100,000 residents, hospital admission rates, vaccination rates, global trends and pediatric hospitalizations.

You can read Governor Hochul’s full announcement here, and a Newsday article on the ending of the mandate here.

Citizens Campaign for the Environment Hosts Virtual Event on Proposed 2022 Budget

On February 8th, Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) hosted a virtual presentation featuring New York State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid discussing Governor Kathy Hochul’s Proposed 2022 Budget, with an emphasis on how it affects Long Island communities, waterways, parks and natural resources.

Commissioner Kulleseid presented an overview of the proposed budget, which includes tax relief for residents, homeowners and small businesses; a capital plan for roads, bridges, transit options, transit hubs, and revitalization of communities; investment in healthcare, including mental health; public safety; confronting homelessness; education; and building reserve funds.

Focusing on the historic funding for critical environmental programs, Commissioner Kulleseid highlighted the following:

• A $4 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act
• All-time-high Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) at $400 million (allows communities to protect clean water, conserve open space, save family farms, bolster recycling programs, revitalize waterfronts, build community parks, support zoos, and more)
• $500 million investments in offshore wind
• Funding for clean water infrastructure
• $20 million for Long Island State parks
• Critical legislation to reduce paper and plastic packaging waste, and improve recycling, and protect wetlands
• Increased operational recourses for environmental agencies, including the NYS DEC and NYS Parks

Commissioner Kulleseid closed, “Governor Hochul is embracing the green economy and what we need to do to embrace climate change.”

The New York State budget is due on April 1st.

You can read CCE’s summary of its environmental priorities in the NYS proposed Executive Budget here and the Governor’s Proposed 2022 Budget is available here.

The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Adressed by LIA

The Long Island Association (LIA) Energy & Environment Committee Chairs John Bruckner (National Grid) and Jennifer Garvey (Ørsted), along with Vice Chairs Rich Humann (H2M) and David Schieren (EmPower Solar) hosted a virtual meeting on February 3rd featuring guest speaker Doreen Harris, President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The topic was the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (the Climate Act.)

The Climate Act was signed into law in 2019. The law created the Climate Action Council which was tasked with developing a draft scoping plan that serves as an initial framework for how New York State will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net-zero emissions, increase renewable energy usage, and ensure climate justice. On December 20, the Council voted to release the draft scoping plan for public comment. Public comment for the Climate Act’s Draft Scoping Plan is open until April 2022. 

Ms. Harris discussed the Climate Act, the draft scoping plan, and how it affects Long Island businesses.

The Draft Scoping Plan scenarios advance several key strategies that are fundamental to achieving the emission limits, which include:

• Energy efficiency measures that achieve the Climate Act energy efficiency goal
• Transition from fossil fuels to electrification in buildings
• Zero emissions electricity
• Transportation electrification
• Enhancement of transit, smart growth, and reduced vehicle miles traveled (VMT)

“The benefits far outweigh the cost of achieving the goals of the Climate Act,” Ms. Harris stated. Looking through the lens of what New York will look like in the future, Ms. Harris said, “We not only need a clean grid, we need a much more expansive grid.”

Along with health benefits from the Climate Act, there are also economic benefits, Ms. Harris explained. The jobs impact of the Climate Act has been studied and it found ten jobs will be added for any potential job that is displaced. “This amounts to hundreds of thousands of jobs,” she stated. On Long Island, over 30,000 new jobs are expected to be added.

You can find more information about the Climate Act here and comments on the Climate Action Council Draft Scoping Plan can be submitted here.

LIA’s February 3rd event is available here.

New York State Presents $10 Million DRI Grant to Village of Amityville

Village of Amityville Mayor Dennis Siry met with New York State Governor Kathy Hochul’s representatives in January to officially accept a $10 million award through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Award - Round V.

The award will assist the Village in achieving catalytic change and enhancement of its downtown district. The funding will help spur the local economy and attract more visitors and shoppers to the historical Village, which has long been known as the “Friendly Bay Village.”

“We are grateful to the Governor for this monumental award and look forward to continuing to work on behalf of our businesses and residents. We are thrilled to have been awarded these funds and begin the process of sensible growth as we re-envision our downtown for the future,” Mayor Siry stated.

The DRI program is funded and overseen by New York’s Department of State. In this round of the program, New York State Governor Hochul doubled the DRI grant funding from $100 million to $200 million and gave each Regional Economic Development Council the option of nominating two $10 million awardees or one $20 million recipient for downtown redevelopment projects. The Town of Riverhead was also presented with a #10 million award in this round of funding.

Baldwin Downtown Revitalization Brings Development Proposals Forward

Long Island Business News recently provided an in-depth update on downtown Baldwin in its February 4th cover story titled Betting on Baldwin.

In 2019, the Town of Hempstead adopted an overlay zoning district and Baldwin was awarded a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant by NYS. With the hard work and dedication of such groups as the Baldwin Civic Association, the Chamber of Commerce and local officials, several developers are now poised to invest hundreds of millions of dollars on projects aimed at creating rental housing and new commercial space along 1.4 miles of the Grand Avenue corridor that stretches from Merrick Road to Stanton Avenue.

The DRI’s Local Planning Committee has earmarked most of the money, $7.35 million, to assist four of the proposed projects, and another $2.35 million towards improving traffic and pedestrian safety along Merrick Road, improvement grants for property owners and a branding and marketing program to promote the area.
These projects include:

Breslin Organization’s $100 million, five-story, transit-oriented development with 215 apartments on a site off the southeast corner of Sunrise Highway and Grand Avenue. The complex will bring a mix of studio-, one- and two-bedroom units, two levels on on-site parking and about 8,000 to 10,000 square feet of retail space that could be used for restaurants. According to Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance, “This large-scale proposal doesn’t have consensus yet due to the size of the project with little to no revisions to date from the feedback provided by the community.”

Baldwin Commons, by Park Grove Realty, is planning to develop a $16 million project with 33-unit affordable rental building on a vacant commercial site at 785 Merrick Road, just west of Grand Avenue. The project will create a four-story, 32,504-square-foot building with 27 one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units that will be available to renters earning 60 percent of the area median income.

G2D Group is planning a $28 million transit-oriented project at a Grand Avenue commercial site just steps away from the Baldwin LIRR station. G2D is seeking to develop a four-story, 65,000-square-foot mixed-use building that will bring 54 apartments over about 4,000 square feet of ground floor retail/office space.

Nickart Realty has proposed a $42.5 million mixed-use development at 775 Brooklyn Ave. The plan, which calls for 107 apartments over 24,000 square feet of commercial space, was awarded $3.5 million from the DRI funding.

Despite delays, Mr. Alexander noted that, “Community leadership has been key to this process from the start and will be the glue that aids in the area’s recovery post coronavirus.”

You can read the full LIBN article here.

Riverhead Downtown Redevelopment Underway

Riverhead News-Review recently provided an update on downtown Riverhead development. Apart from those projects completed or already under construction, the following multi-story, mixed-use apartment projects have been proposed:

• Metro Group proposes to build 170 market-rate apartment units on the site of the former Sears store.
• Landmark at Riverhead is a proposed market rate project with 45 units and a ground-level food hall, located at the former West Marine building, which will be demolished.
• Suffolk Theater is proposing 28-apartments on floors two to five, of which 20 units will be studio apartments and 8 will be one-bedroom apartments. The proposal also calls for a 59-foot addition to the rear of the Theater that will include a green room, dressing rooms, and other facilities for performers.
• The Zenith Building, located on McDermott Avenue, is a proposed four-story, 49-foot-tall mixed-use building on a 0.12-acre parcel. It would include 9 market-rate apartments, with retail on the ground level.

Among the 268 apartments completed or under construction in downtown Riverhead, Riverhead News-Review identifies Summerwind (52 units), Woolworth (19 units), Peconic Crossing (45 units), Riverview Lofts (116 units), and 311 East Main Street (36 units).

Downtown Riverhead development is subject to a 500-unit cap on new apartments. If the proposed buildings reach fruition, that cap would be pierced, an issue that will be addressed in the town’s comprehensive plan update, Councilman Frank Beyrodt told the Riverhead News-Review.

You can read more at Riverhead News-Review here.

Affordable Housing Plan for Cutchogue has Support of Town Board Majority

In a recent work session, Town of Southold board members voiced support for Georgica Green Ventures and The Housing Initiative’s proposed 24-unit affordable housing rental project on Middle Road. The singular opponent was Town Supervisor Scott Russell.

Cutchogue Woods would be comprised of 24-townhouse style rental units, consisting of studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units. Proposed are 48 parking spaces, common spaces, and green space. The developers are anticipating the affordability tiers of renters, who would be chosen by a lottery, to be between 60% and 100% of area median income.

"I think that just like the South Fork, there’s a real demand and I think we can do something here that is quite beautiful and something that the town can be proud of," said David Gallo, president of Georgica Green Ventures.

Supervisor Russell, however, is quoted as saying, "Why would we support the construction of affordable housing in Southold when ultimately there’s no guarantee that residents aren’t going to get much of that housing,” referring to the fact that the project will likely receive some federal or state funds, therefore not allowing Southold residents to be prioritized. The Supervisor argues he prefers future affordable-housing developments be funded privately so projects would not be bound to such guidelines.

“Compliments to the Town of Southold members of the Town Board and our friends at Georgica Green development for advancing an affordable housing project in Cutchogue.” Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance notes.

You can read Newsday’s complete article on this here.

Long Island Main Street News, Under Production, makes Extended Interviews with Local Leaders Available

Vision Long Island has been in the process of interviewing some of our community partners: local civics, small business/chamber friends, municipal officials and local food pantry and religious leaders. 

As part of these efforts, we have reached over half of the communities we work in and are starting now to connect to some of our friends not rooted in any one community from development, design and infrastructure professionals and environmental leaders as well.   These interviews will be pieced together into a future show titled "Long Island Main Street News," but, in the meantime, you can view an extended version of these interviews here.

Special thanks to our guests for sharing their experiences, to our friends at Pink Tie for providing access to their studio, and to Rob Comforto from Videomasters for the filming and production.

Terri Alessi Micelli from the HIA recently joined us to discuss her organizations work for a recent edition of LI Main Street News. 

Ms Alessi Miceli has been active for a long time managing the largest trade show on Long Island, lobbying for the Hauppauge Industrial park and now getting sewers and new development approved for the area.  Glad to see her leadership in these and many other areas as we all get through the Coronavirus shutdowns.  

Engaging conversation, check it out here.

We had a great interview last month with Carolyn Grossman Meagher, Director of Regional Planning for the NYC Department of Planning, for an edition of LI Main Street News.  

Ms. Grossman Meagher gave us an update on how NYC is faring through the pandemic and the planning work her office does.   We covered the importance to communicate fairly with planning efforts outside of NYC borders and the housing needs for the region.  We commend her office for working with planners from surrounding municipalities without an elitist approach.  

Check it out here.

Rob Gitto from the Gitto Group was in for a LI Main Street News interview recently.  Mr. Gitto shared with us the projects he has worked on as a commercial and residential developer through the years. 

Recent mixed use buildings in Port Jefferson have really helped revitalize the community as well as multifamily projects he has done in Island Park and Amityville.   His family owned and operated company has a community based approach to working on projects which is heartening.  

Check it out here.

Great to have Dale Koch from Bohler Engineering in for a LI Main Street News interview.  

Mr. Koch spoke about his growing company and the status of development projects and the commercial market.   He also spoke of the employment possibilities for engineering and design professionals.  

Check it out here.

Enjoyed having Pastor Dan Rivera from the Huntington Assembly of God in for a LI Main Street News interview.  

Pastor Dan shared with us the work he does with his congregation and the broader community.  His programs feeding hot meals to Huntington Station residents and services and support for children and youth are invaluable.   He works in partnership with a range of local organizations and his spirit is infectious.  

Check it out here.

We had our friend Belinda Watkins, President of the Hempstead Chamber of Commerce, in or a LI Main Street News interview. 

Ms. Watkins shared with us the many activities of the Chamber as they have helped local businesses manage through the Coronavirus and have a voice in downtown revitalization plans.  Ms. Watkins is also an advocate for home based businesses and done work organizing sessions for young entrepreneurs as well.   Happy to have worked with her over the last two years as part of the LI Main Street Alliance too.   

Check it out here.

Nice to see Lisa Daglian from the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA in for a LI Main Street News interview. 

Ms. Daglian covered the needs of our transit system and the work her group is doing.  We also spoke about the early work in Transit Oriemted Development we did together over 15 years ago and the progress made.  

Check it out here.

Great to have our friend Howie Stein from Certilman Balin in for a LI Main Street News interview. 

Mr. Stein shared with us the many projects he and his firm have worked on in recent years in support of downtown and Transit Oriented Development.  He also gave his take on where the development market in the Coronavirus recovery along with advice for young lawyers. 

Check it out here.

We had local dentist Dr. Lang in along with Elizabeth Wellington from the LI African American Chamber of Commerce for an edition of LI Main Street News.  

Dr. Lang found a way to treat patients during the Coronavirus shutdowns which helped ease pain and keep folks healthy.   Kudos to that extra level of dedication he showed along with other medical professionals that kept their practice going. 

Check it out here.

It was really wonderful to have Mark & John Cronin from John’s Crazy Socks in for a LI Main Street News interview. 

This father son team bring a spirit of giving back, creative entrepreneurship and an infectious energy to their work.   Their awesome presentation, commitment to LI communities and their wide selection of socks make them totally unique.  So glad they took the time to visit.  

Check it out here.

SBA Webinars

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues offering informational webinars in 2022. The webinars will incorporate strategies to navigate uncertainty and recovery in the Wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

The following webinars are currently being offered:

Wed. 2/9/2022 9:30am-11am (SBA and LaGuardia Community College SBDC)
Roundtable- Tax Filing
Speaker: Sandro G. Johnson (CPA)
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpceyqqDwpHNCkoxdSMKFF_E-p7T-M-3sw

Thurs. 2/10/2022 9:30a-10:30am (SBA and York College SBDC)
Starting a Business at 50+
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82345923291

Tue. 2/15/2022 1:00pm-2:00pm (SBA and Manhattan Chamber of Commerce)
Recovery Plan, Resources & Assistance and Exploring New Markets
https://www.manhattancc.org/common/Events/event_info.cfm

Wed. 2/16/2022 9:30a-10:30am (SBA and York College SBDC)
DIY- Building a Blog for You and Your Business Step-by-Step
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88026399780

Wed. 2/16/2022 3:00pm-4:00pm (SBA and Northeast Small Business Transportation Resource Center, U.S. Department of Transportation)
Doing Business with the Federal Government
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/doing-business-with-the-federal-government-tickets-257141917397

Thurs. 2/17/2022 9:30am-10:30am (SBA and LaGuardia Community College SBDC)
Special event: Meet the Lenders
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkc-qvrz4qH9Xm62CJlYp_dU3dBql0TKY2

Fri. 2/18/2022 11:00am-12:00pm (SBA and Greater New York Chamber of Commerce)
DIY-Building a Blog Before You Start Your Business: Step-by-Step with Blogger
https://chamber.nyc/event_register.php

Wed. 2/23/2022 10:00am-11:00am (SBA and Queens Chamber of Commerce)
Business Recovery in the Wake of COVID
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9Ns1Ka9lRRaIKZigkq3Dmw

Wed. 2/23/2022 12:00pm-1:00pm (Italy-America Chamber of Commerce)
How SBA Can Help Your Business
Thurs. 2/24/2022 10:00am-11:00am (SBA and McNulty Veterans Business Center)
Marketing Strategies with Neuro-Marketing Concepts
http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event

Contact Man-Li Lin, Economic Development Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration Man-li.lin@sba.gov for more information.

AARP New York Accepting 2022 Community Challenge Grant Applications

AARP New York invites local organizations and governments across the state to apply for the 2022 AARP Community Challenge grant program, now through March 22, 2022. Grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable in the long-term by improving public spaces, transportation, housing, civic engagement, coronavirus recovery, diversity and inclusion, and more. Now in its sixth year, the grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live.

“AARP New York is excited to kick-off the Community Challenge again in 2022 to continue helping communities across New York become great places for people of all backgrounds, abilities and ages, especially people 50-plus,” said AARP State President James O’Neal. “The program has proven that quick-action projects can lead to long-lasting improvements right where New Yorkers live.”

AARP will prioritize proposals that are inclusive, address disparities, directly engage volunteers, support residents age 50 and older and aim to achieve one or more of the following outcomes:

• Support communities’ efforts to build engagement and leverage funding available under new federal programs through laws like the American Rescue Plan Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and more.
• Create vibrant public places that improve open spaces, parks and access to other amenities.
• Deliver a range of transportation and mobility options that increase connectivity, walkability, bikeability, wayfinding, access to transportation options and roadway improvements.
• Support a range of housing options that increases the availability of accessible and affordable choices.
• Ensure a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion while improving the built and social environment of a community.
• Increase civic engagement with innovative and tangible projects that bring residents and local leaders together to address challenges and facilitate a greater sense of inclusion.
• Other community improvements; including health services, community development, and coronavirus pandemic recovery.

The program provides direct support to all community types, including rural, suburban and urban communities. Previous projects have enabled long-term progress by garnering additional support from public and private funders, encouraging similar improvements throughout the community, advancing local policy, and generating engagement among residents and local leaders to advocate for change.

The Community Challenge is open to 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) nonprofits and government entities. Other types of organizations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Grants can range from several hundred dollars for small, short-term activities to tens of thousands for larger projects.

The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. ET, March 22, 2022. All projects must be completed by November 30, 2022. To submit an application and view past grantees, visit www.AARP.org/CommunityChallenge.

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