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

March 7th, 2022

Images from Google Earth

Quote of the Week

"It’s time for Americans to get back to work and fill our great downtowns again. People working from home can feel safe to begin to return to the office. We’re doing that here in the federal government. The vast majority of federal workers will once again work in person.” - United States President Joe Biden at the State of the Union

"I have heard real concerns about the proposed approach on accessory dwelling units. I understand that my colleagues in the State Senate believe a different set of tools is needed, even if they agree with the goal of supporting the growth of this kind of housing. So, I am submitting a 30-day amendment to my budget legislation that removes requirements on localities in order to facilitate a conversation about how we build consensus around solutions.” - NYS Governor Kathy Hochul

Governor Hochul Removes ADU and TOD Proposals from State Budget

On Thursday, February 17th, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul walked back her budget proposal to expand accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by requiring local governments to accept an expansion of apartments and backyard cottages in single-family neighborhoods.

Introduced as a way to combat a statewide crisis in affordable housing, the Governor’s plan triggered backlash around much of New York State. Wide-spread criticism included calls that its passage would pose an existential threat to single family zoning, it would constitute a broad attack on the concept of “home-rule," and it was a political overreach.

Speaking about the proposal, Governor Hochul stated, "I have heard real concerns about the proposed approach on accessory dwelling units. I understand that my colleagues in the State Senate believe a different set of tools is needed, even if they agree with the goal of supporting the growth of this kind of housing. So, I am submitting a 30-day amendment to my budget legislation that removes requirements on localities in order to facilitate a conversation about how we build consensus around solutions.”

Governor Hochul also said she will continue part of the ADU proposal: bringing units located in New York City into compliance with building and safety codes. Many of the units in the city and in suburbs were built without local approval and are believed to have safety concerns.

Along with the ADU pull back, Governor Hochul is also removing her proposal to expand "transit-oriented development’ in order to engage in further discussion with local governments.

Reactions were swift. Upon hearing the news, Senator Jim GaughranI noted, “I want to thank Governor Hochul for her willingness to work with local governments to address the issue of housing. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but we can – and must – support our municipalities as they work to build more housing for New Yorkers across the state.”

You can read Newsday’s report here.

Funding and Incentives Needed to Address Affordable Housing Crises

Vision Long Island Board votes on incentives for Affordable Housing in New York State

New York State’s most recent attempt to address the affordable housing crisis through the ADU and Transit Oriented Development mandates has been tabled due to the many concerns raised from local officials.

However, the conflict has provided a window of opportunity to create funding and incentives to assist the expansion of a range of housing types including ADU’s, affordable multifamily housing and downtown mixed use and TOD redevelopment.

Vision Long Island has spent decades advancing Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and affordable multifamily projects, including the creation of, and amendments to accessory apartment laws across the Island.  Over the years, Vision has found it to be more productive to provide incentive programs rather than mandates, working from the bottom up with local community leaders and municipalities.  Local government in control of the planning process combined with State or Federal funding, resources, and even oversight tends to be better received and yield more results. 

Recently, Nassau Legislator Siela Bynoe joined the Vision Long Island Board of Directors to have a robust discussion on the creation of affordable housing.  The following is a list of funding recommendations and incentives the Board voted on to forward to Albany to meet the increased need of affordable housing for varying populations in communities all across Long Island.  

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

• Planning grants for local municipalities to set up and manage pilot programs.
• State funding to assist homeowners in the physical construction of affordable ADUs in locations identified by local municipalities.
• State funding to assist municipalities with additional infrastructure and service costs for the creation of ADUs.
• State funding to municipalities and homeowners for the upgrade of currently illegal ADUs that have fire, safety and other code violations to bring them up to current code for the health and safety of tenants.
• For Suffolk County - upgrades to cesspool and access to wastewater treatment where available, for houses that create affordable ADUs to help protect local groundwater systems.
• Funding for municipalities to work to educate the public on affordable ADUs and have adequate staff to manage code enforcement to build up trust in local communities.
• Funding and public education for communities and homeowners to understand the tax impact of the potential increased valuation from any reassessment to homeowners on ADU legalization.

Transit-Oriented Development

• Planning with local municipalities to fast track SEQRA, DEC, DOT, DOH and Fire Marshall oversight on TOD projects. This includes adequate staffing.
• Funding to local municipalities to enhance local infrastructure including: wastewater, parking, transit, traffic calming, bike infrastructure and walkability improvements tied to TOD units.

Affordable Multifamily Housing

• Provide preapproved funding for locally planned affordable housing projects currently in the planning stages.
• Planning with local municipalities to fast track SEQRA, DEC and DOT guidelines on affordable multifamily units.
• Funding to local municipalities to enhance local infrastructure including: wastewater, parking, transit, traffic calming, bike infrastructure and walkability improvements tied to affordable multifamily units.

Homeless Housing Needs

• Funding adequate support services for hard-to-reach homeless populations and individuals falling through the cracks of existing service delivery.
• Consideration of incentives to convert existing motels housing homeless individuals and families into managed one-bedroom units with support services.

It is important to ensure housing strategies do not overwhelm any one neighborhood or area of town, but provide appropriate housing options throughout.  Municipalities have different needs and should be able to choose or apply for funding that meets the housing strategy of each municipality. These inducements, and surely others, can allow local local governments to properly plan, approve and manage the needed growth in affordable housing and help build local consensus for growth.

The ongoing challenges to create affordable housing in a high priced region with massive demand are many but local communities have the opportunity to work together to create solutions that have been proven to work not from the top down, but from the bottom up.  If you have any questions, comments or ideas, please reach out to Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island at ea@visionlongisland.org.

Construction Begins on New York’s First Offshore Wind Farm

Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul joined with state and local elected officials, environmentalists, and others to celebrate the start of construction of South Fork Wind, New York's first offshore wind project.  The project is being jointly developed by Ørsted and Eversource and is located off the coast of Long Island.

The South Fork Wind project is the first step in jump-starting the state’s Community Protection Act’s goal to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035.

"The harsh impacts and costly realities of climate change are all too familiar on Long Island, but today as we break ground on New York's first offshore wind project we are delivering on the promise of a cleaner, greener path forward that will benefit generations to come," Governor Hochul stated at the groundbreaking ceremony in Wainscott. "South Fork Wind will eliminate up to six million tons of carbon emissions over the next twenty-five years benefiting not only the Empire State, but our nation as a whole. This project will also create hundreds of good-paying jobs, helping spur economic growth across the region as we continue to recover from COVID-19.”

This historic project is slated to become operational in late 2023. South Fork Wind will be one of the first commercial-scale offshore wind projects to commence operation in North America. Selected under a 2015 Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) request for proposals to address growing power needs on the east end of Long Island, the project will be located about 35 miles east of Montauk Point and its 12 Siemens-Gamesa 11 MW turbines will generate approximately 130 megawatts of power - enough to power over 70,000 homes. Its transmission system will deliver clean energy directly to the electric grid in the Town of East Hampton. Over a 25-year period, South Fork Wind is expected to eliminate up to six million tons of carbon emissions, or the equivalent of taking 60,000 cars off the road annually.

Long Island Power Authority CEO Thomas Falcone said, "In 2017, the forward-thinking approach of the LIPA Board of Trustees led to the approval of the South Fork Wind project at a time when there were no other power purchase agreements for offshore wind in the country.” Mr. Falcone added, “There are some projects as far down as Virginia, but the resource is better up here, the water is shallower up here. That’s the main impediment in California, where the water is deep. So, they have very high renewable goals, but it’s hard to construct on existing technologies. As you go farther south, though, the resource isn’t quite as good, but also the states are less aggressive about clean energy goals. Right now, there really is no federal energy policy. It’s all state by state. New York is zero carbon by 2040. There’s no similar goal in Florida.”

South Fork Wind will generate clean power, jobs, and economic opportunity. It will be built under industry-leading project labor agreements and specific partnerships with local union organizations, ensuring local union labor's participation in all phases of construction on the project.

New York State has five offshore wind projects in active development, the largest portfolio in the nation. This current portfolio totals more than 4,300 megawatts and will power more than 2.4 million New York homes, and it is expected to bring a combined economic impact of $12.1 billion to the state. The projects are also expected to create more than 6,800 jobs in project development, component manufacturing, installation, and operations and maintenance. Achieving the State's 9,000 megawatt by 2035 goal will generate enough offshore wind energy to power approximately 30 percent of New York State's electricity needs, equivalent to nearly 6 million New York State homes, and spur approximately 10,000 jobs.

You can read more here.

Funding Available for Affordable Housing in Nassau County

The Nassau County Office of Community Development is pleased to announce that its HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program Funding Application is now open for new Funding Applications.

HOME is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to states and localities in order to fund a wide range of activities that build, buy, and/or rehabilitate homes to provide decent and affordable housing, particularly housing for low- and moderate-income households for rent or home-ownership. It is the largest Federal block grant to states and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for families.

The HOME program was designed and implemented in order to increase the amount of affordable housing in the United States for its citizens. It was designed with four main objectives in mind:

• Expanding the supply of decent and affordable housing in the U.S.
• Strengthening the abilities of states and local governments to design and implement strategies for achieving adequate supplies of decent, affordable housing
• Providing financial and technical assistance to states and local governments to develop affordable housing
• Extending and strengthening partnerships among all levels of government (both local and federal) and the private sector (both for-profit and nonprofit organizations) in the production and operation of affordable housing

Applications received by March 18th will be considered for inclusion in the County’s upcoming HUD Action Plan. Applications received after that date will be considered as funding permits.

You can find more information here.

Nassau Coliseum Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Image from Google Earth

Nassau Coliseum recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary. The then state-of-the-art facility opened its doors and hosted its first event on the night of February 11, 1972.  That night the ABA’s New York Nets defeated the Pittsburgh Condors 129-121. 

News 12 Long Island has assembled a wonderful history of the venue’s journey.

As for its future, Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance, states that “The Coronavirus shutdowns have delayed plans to redevelop the area surrounding the Coliseum, but the project is currently being reviewed by the Town of Hempstead. The plans include 500 housing units, office and retail space, a new hotel and public space as a destination.”  

Mr. Alexander notes, “The proposals were developed in consultation with the surrounding neighborhoods, along with the Town and the County.  

You can enjoy the News 12 retrospective here.

Riverhead Moving Forward With Revitalization

Image from Google Earth

The Riverhead Town Board has recently voted unanimously to hire Long Island master plan developers RXR and Georgica Green Ventures to create plans for the development of apartments and shops in the blighted areas surrounding Osborne Avenue and Railroad Street. This move is just one part of Riverhead’s numerous efforts to boost its downtown.

The plan calls for the construction of 243 apartment units, 2,340 square feet of retail space, 12,800 square feet of commercial space and a four- to five-story parking garage with 420 to 520 spaces.

“The project will help breathe new life into the railroad station area, which has become rundown and prone to crime,” said Dawn Thomas, the town’s community development director. "If you take the train or the bus to Riverhead, that’s our front door. The train station isn’t well-utilized, so it begs some reuse. It’s really about bringing investment and people into that area that has really been underutilized and blighted for many years."

Joe Graziose, RXR Realty executive vice president of residential development and construction, noted that “The project is expected to create roughly 400 temporary construction jobs and from 12 to 20 permanent jobs. Our goal is to bring vibrancy and connectivity between the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), the bus depot area and the plaza we’re building, and create excitement to bring people into Riverhead.”

Next steps include negotiating an agreement with the developers, who will then submit a site plan application for the project. Developers hope to obtain approval within a year and then begin construction. The project is expected to cost between $110 million and $125 million and take three years to complete.

You can read Newsday’s story here.

$21.8M Inwood Apartment Project Advances

The Town of Hempstead Industrial Development Agency (IDA) recently gave preliminary approval to a planned $21.8 million rental development in Inwood, Long Island Business News (LIBN) reports. The economic incentives will assist Inwood Property Development LLC in its plan to construct a 48-unit apartment building on .23 acres at 360-370 Bayview Avenue, where two vacant and derelict structures presently sit.

The project will bring 20 one-bedroom units, 15 two-bedroom units, 12 three-bedroom units and one studio apartment to a 52,582-square-foot building, LIBN details. A quarter of the units will be affordable based on an 80 percent Area Median Income (AMI) or less. Households less than 80 percent of the AMI are considered low-income households.

Current annual property taxes on the site are $64,616 and will rise to $150,000 over the course of a proposed 20-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement.

Zoning approvals are already in place for the project. “This project, if approved, will help to provide much needed housing in the area and increase revenues for our taxing jurisdictions,” said Fred Parola, CEO of the Town of Hempstead IDA.

The benefits package is subject to further IDA review, a public hearing and a final authorizing resolution.

You can read the LIBN article here, and the Real Estate Weekly article here.

Sunrise Mall Plans for Future Redevelopment

Image from Google Earth

The Sunrise Mall, a mainstay in Massapequa since 1973, has told its 50 surviving tenants that leases will not be renewed, as the owners of the 77-acre retail complex plan for its future redevelopment, leaving owners, employees and shoppers beleaguered.

Urban Edge Properties of Manhattan, which purchased the two-story, 1.2 million-square-foot mall last year, hopes for an orderly transition as specific leases expire over the next year.  Though the eventual reuse of the property is still on the drawing board, Urban Edge executives said they are not considering any residential development.

“Sunrise Mall is clearly in transition, a reflection of the challenges facing a generation of shopping malls across Long Island and the nation,” Coleen Conklin, vice president of marketing for Urban Edge, said in a company statement. “However, no matter what redevelopment plans are ultimately proposed and approved, Urban Edge recognizes its responsibility to seek the input of our neighbors, community leaders, and elected officials to ensure that the property continues to be a significant and positive asset to the surrounding communities.” 

Although the property is zoned for commercial or light industrial, Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance stated that "We certainly would like to see some form of residential... Because there is a tremendous housing need on Long Island."

“Many malls, not just on Long Island but around the country, are in need of transformation. Sunrise Mall is closing, which presents an opportunity to bring a mix of commercial uses that could produce jobs. Residential uses on a portion of the site or a mixed-use development planned with the local community are worthy of consideration as well,” Mr. Alexander added.

You can read CBS’ coverage here, and LIBN’s 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.

Great to have our friend Joe Depalma from the Suffolk Bike Riders Association in for a LI Main Street News interview. 

Mr. Depalma shared with us the work of his organization which includes bike advocacy, family events, group rides and support of local charities. 

Check it out here.

We had Stuart Gelb from the Liquidity Source in for a LI Main Street News interview. 

Mr. Gelb shared with us his role as an investor and work finding capital for all forms of redevelopment projects on Long Island and the region.  He shared insight on the complicated process putting together financing which is in a chaotic environment of Coronavirus, inflation and turbulent markets a pretty important task.  

Check it out here.

We had our friend Darrin Green in for an LI Main Street News interview recently. 

Mr. Green shared with us his work as a public safety professional and with the Black in Law Enforcement organization as well.  We covered his work as an advocate for child care and advocating for small businesses as well.   His recent run for public office connected him further with his community which is always a blessing.  

Check it out here.

Great to have Brentwood community, business leader and firefighter Manny Troche in for a LI Main Street News interview recently.  

Mr. Troche shared with us the work he does in his business, his service with the Brentwood Fire Department and the Town of Islip CDA and assisting other community organizations.   His journey coming to America from Puerto Rico with health issues as a young child is powerful and inspiring.  

Check it out here.

Happy to have Lee Silberman from the Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk in for an LI Main Street News interview. 

Mr. Silbernan shared with us the work of the organization providing affordable housing opportunities through many years.    They also have a facility that provides affordable home remodeling materials for sale to the public as well along with other services.   Great to have a dialogue with a large trusted non for profit. 

Check it out here.

Great interview with local entrepreneur Sonny Thind for a recent edition of LI Main Street News. 

Mr. Thind shared with us his work with is technology and media companies and local restaurant.  He shared with us his approach to working with the community, philanthropy and ways he gets away to keep his mental balance. 

Check it out here.

Great to have Suffolk Legislator Sam Gonzalez in for a LI Main Street News interview. 

Legislator Gonzalez shared with us the issues he hears from residents and business owners in his district which covers Brentwood, Central Islip and North Bay Shore.   We had a lively conversation about the impacts of the Coronavirus, public safety and quality of life issues in his district.   We also heard about his career as a union leader prior to joining the legislature.  

 Check it out here.

We had our friend Cory Hirsch from the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce in for a LI Main Street News interview recently.   

Mr. Hirsch shared with us the work of the Chamber working with the Village, progress in their downtown revitalization with new restaurants, TOD development and a movie theatre in recent years.   He spoke about how the local businesses have been managing through Coronavirus and upcoming events for the Chamber this year. 

Check it out here.

Great to have Dr. Theresa Taylor Williams from the NY Trend publication in for a LI Main Street News interview.  

Dr. Williams shared with us her work running a minority family owned and operated publication that services the region.  Impressed by her dilligence keeping a newspaper going through the Coronavirus and changing demographics in different regions.  She also covered her work as an educator as well. 

Check it out here.

Totally awesome to have Sue Cave, owner of Chocolate Works in Plainview and matriarch of the Pink Tie family join us for a LI Main Street News interview.  

Ms. Cave shared with us her business that goes well beyond chocolate and into promotions, special gifts and specialized events for children, families, couples and corporations. 

She shared with us her philosophy of giving back to the local community which she does in her work and through the Pink Tie Foundation.

We were happy to have Ms. Cave sit still long enough for the interview as Valentines Day is coming up and her shop is busy.

Check it out here.

Farmingdale’s 8th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Come and join the Farmingdale community for a great St. Patrick’s Day Parade and celebration in downtown Farmingdale.

Farmingdale Village has announced that the 8th Annual Farmingdale St. Patrick’s Day Parade is set for Sunday, March 13th at 2 PM. The parade kicks off from Northside Elementary School and spans about half a mile down Main Street to the Village Green including local community groups, Farmingdale/local Fire Departments, Pipe Bands, Village Officials, and more.

Farmingdale is excited to name the Parade Grand Marshal: Paul Defendini, Farmingdale School District Superintendent.

Enjoy lunch with family and friends before the parade and stay downtown afterwards for dinner and drinks. Farmingdale Village is a terrific downtown destination; shop and dine local - explore the many shops, merchants, Culinary Quarter Mile restaurants, bars, clubs, breweries, eateries, with some new spots.

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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Going forward, GRCH endeavors to expand our efforts and knowledge to keep ahead of the curve and to continually bring innovative ideas and approaches to all of our projects that will meet the changing requirements of the environmentally sustainable world in which we live.