The 21st Annual Long Island Smart Growth Awards
Continuing Vision Long Island’s long-time practice of honoring Long Island development projects, community leaders, non-profits and municipalities which promote downtown revitalization efforts, the 21st Annual LI Smart Growth Awards took place Friday, June 10th, at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. Over 600 of Long Island’s civic, business, development, and government leaders participated in honoring those advancing successful downtown and infrastructure initiatives driven by bottom-up collaborative planning.
Opening the awards ceremony was Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and founder of the Long Island Main Street Alliance. “Welcome back,” Mr. Alexander , greeting the honorees and attendees. “Every single honoree here today is deserving and they show us how to build consensus on projects in local communities.”
Mr. Alexander acknowledged and thanked the sponsors who made this event possible, including: Platinum Sponsors, 1st Equity Title and National Grid; Gold Sponsors RXR and PSEG Long Island; Silver Sponsors Peoples’ Bank a Division of M&T Bank, Mill Creek Residential, Cameron Engineering, GPI, AT&T, Concerned Housing, Engel Burman, 3rd Street Associates, Terwilliger & Bartone, VHB Engineers, G2D Group; New York and Atlantic Railway, Southwest Airlines, H2M Architects & Engineers, Heartland Town Square, and St. Joseph’s University. The numerous Bronze Sponsors were also thanked.
Chambers of Commerce we work with were also recognized including Frank Camarano, President of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce; Gina Coletti and Bob Fonti, co-chairs of the Suffolk County Alliance of Chambers Harry Malhotra, NY South Asian Chamber of Commerce, Luis Vasquez, President of the LI Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Liz Wellington from the African American Chamber of Commerce.
We were also pleased to welcome Vision Long Island Chair Trudy Fitzsimmons for the Pledge of Allegiance, and to hear from both Ist Equity Title and the Pink Tie Foundation’s Ray Thomas and the Salvation Army's Jean Sainteme. Nassau County Legislator Steve Rhoads and the LIA’s Matt Cohen also spoke later in the day during Awards presentations, along with Vision Long Island Assistant Director Tawaun Weber.
We also heard about the very real issue of food insecurity on Long Island from Mr. Alexander, who expressed the need to support local communities by giving where you live. In supporting PinkTie Delivers & Island Harvest Food Bank, money raised stays in local communities, which allows companies, corporations and employees to see the impact of their philanthropic endeavors.
Introducing New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Mr. Alexander stated, “He was one of our first Smart Growth Award winners when we started 21 years ago, when he was Assemblyman DiNapoli, leading the Pine Barrens Protection Act. He was always fighting for small downtowns and still continues to work in the public interest for local communities in his role as New York State Comptroller.”
“I want to commend all the wonderful honorees here today,” Comptroller DiNapoli began. “It’s interesting to hear all the presentations. I do note that all the honorees bring different perspectives, different approaches, but each and every one of them are helping to create sustainable, healthy communities all across Long Island.”
Discussing Long Island, along with all its wonderful aspects, Comptroller DiNapoli noted there are some challenges. “We have a limited land base; a vulnerable supply of fresh drinking water; limited transportation options; and significant development pressure.” That being said, the Comptroller acknowledged the great progress that has been made over the years in addressing many of these challenges. “Today we are celebrating Smart Growth principals. We all know Smart Growth matters on Long Island, as is evidenced here today. We are seeing sustainable approaches taking root and bearing fruit. Better days are ahead. The public health environment is dramatically improved, and our economic recovery continues.”
Comptroller DiNapoli discussed the federal infrastructure funding, calling it truly historic, providing billions to New York. “It is record level funding and we need to ensure that this unprecedented infusion of infrastructure dollars on Long Island and across the State brings the right kind of growth to our communities and downtowns. We need to focus on repairing and modernizing roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, commuter rails, as well as upgrading our water and wastewater infrastructure. And yes, that includes revitalizing our Main Streets and our downtowns.”
“There are so many positive things that are happening on Long Island,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone stated. “Vision Long Island has certainly been a driving force of the community-based approach to economic development, to revitalization.”
“All of these projects being honored here today, those in the past and those on the drawing boards now, are all stitched together by the idea of sustainability, by the need for economic growth, but done in a sustainable way,” the County Executive explained. Focusing on the new Midway Crossing project at Ronkonkoma, Mr. Bellone stated, “Midway Crossing at its heart has two major public transportation and economic development facilities – a Long Island Convention Center and a new North airport terminal. This area is the perfect location to build sustainably along the LIRR main line. It will ultimately lead to 4.5 billion dollars in economic activity.”
“No one leaves Long Island because they don’t like the beaches,” stated Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey. “We need to create Economic development. We have got to create a place where our young people have opportunities. We are committed to that in Suffolk County. We are working with our County Executive Steve Bellone and we are also working regionally with Nassau County on initiatives because it’s not Nassau County or Suffolk County – it’s Long Island.”
You can view Part 1 of the full Awards Ceremony here, and Part 2 here.
Congratulations To This Year’s Distinguished Honorees!
Transit Oriented Development
Fieldstone, Hicksville
Questus Capital & Town of Oyster Bay
in 2021, the Town of Oyster Bay approved new zoning for downtown Hicksville which allows for mixed use development, ranging from two to four stories, requires setbacks for new buildings to create broader sidewalks and ensures complete streets recommendations, such as pedestrian and bike safety, traffic calming measures and streetscaping. Questus Capital, a Woodbury-based firm, is poised to develop the first project under this new downtown zoning. Fieldstone at North Broadway will be a $55 million dollar, 144-unit transit-oriented mixed-use complex on a 1.6-acre site, located a block from the Hicksville Long Island Rail Road station.
“Congratulations to Questus Group,” Supervisor Saladino stated. “We are forging the way, setting the template, for the rest of Long Island, quite frankly, the rest of the state.”
You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.
Transit Oriented Development
The Cornerstone at Westbury
Terwilliger & Bartone and the Village of Westbury
Farmingdale-based developer Terwilliger & Bartone Properties has successfully embarked on its next Transit Oriented Development project, The Cornerstone at Westbury, a $23 million-dollar two-phase TOD project. Phase one will replace a former produce warehouse, located at 461 Railroad Avenue, with a multistory structure with 72 rental apartments, including eight with below-market rents. It will be the first project in Westbury’s transit-oriented development district, which was established by the Village in 2019 to support a larger effort to boost the downtown area by attracting young commuters and increasing foot traffic in the heart of the Village.
“This is a team sport,” Terwilliger & Bartone Properties partner Anthony Bartone explained. “This is the byproduct of years and years of work and lots of money. There are many people to thank, including the Nassau County IDA, we couldn’t have done it without them.”
You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.
Revitalizing Communities
The Wellington, 68 West Jamaica Ave
Paramount Construction & The Village of Valley Stream
In early March, Valley Stream’s Village Board voted unanimously to amend its zoning map to create a floating zone at 68 West Jamaica Avenue, paving the way for Cedarhurst-based developer Paramount Construction to construct of a multi-family apartment complex at the southeast corner of South Corona and West Jamaica Avenues, called The Wellington.
Tom McAleer, Superintendent of Buildings for the Village of Valley Stream, stated, “On behalf of the Village of Valley Stream, Mayor Fare and Paramount Construction we thank you for this award.”
You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.
Transit Oriented Development
Modera West Hempstead
Mill Creek Residential Trust
Just a short walk from the West Hempstead Long Island Rail Road station, a second transit-oriented development is planned by Mill Creek Residential Trust. The $71.5 million project, Modera West Hempstead, will be developed at the site of the long-vacant Western Beef supermarket. This 176,912 square foot residential rental apartment building will consist of 150 units, including 90 one-bedroom units, 49 two-bedroom units, and 11 three-bedroom units, as well as 200 on-site parking spaces. Ten percent of the units will be set aside as affordable housing.
“The community worked with this developer,” Mr. Alexander noted. “They argued, they had a dialogue, the developer answered questions, they worked it out. That’s what successful people do - they work it out.”
“These projects require a lot of collaboration from all sides,” Blaine Kneeshaw, Vice President of Development at Mill Creek Residential Trust, added.
You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.
Revitalizing Communities
Hilton Garden Inn
NBD Holding LLC & Village of Freeport
The Hilton Garden Inn, a $43 million dollar project from Syosset-based NBD Holding LLC, will bring a 100-room Hilton Garden Inn to a 1.61-acre site on Woodcleft Avenue in Freeport, formerly occupied by Hunter Pointe Marina and The Schooner Restaurant. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy destroyed The Schooner, a 350-seat restaurant at the foot of Woodcleft Avenue next to the Hunter Pointe Marina. This 89,836-square-foot hotel, overlooking the Woodcleft Canal, will include 100 rooms, a 150-person capacity ballroom, an attached 100-person restaurant with a rooftop bar, patio lounge, cigar lounge/bar, parking zones for 192 vehicles and a public promenade and waterfront veranda.
Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy explained, “I think this project is going to be a great success. Residents want a better quality of life for their families. It is important to have financial stability and property taxes that remain the same. Economic development is the key to a secure municipality.”
You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.
Affordable Housing
Estella Housing
Concern Housing & Village of Hempstead
Estella Housing, located within the Village of Hempstead’s Downtown Overlay Zone, is a venture between Concern Housing and Georgica Green to bring 96 rental units to the Village, with 42 reserved for veterans with supportive housing needs. The rest are an array of income and rental levels. The apartment complex, located at 176 Main Street, will be sited on .6193 acres. There is parking on the site, including underground parking. There will be approximately 5,500 square feet of retail space on the ground level.
“Thank you to Vision Long Island, you paved the way for what we do and what so many people do here today. Thank you, New York State, for funding all this and thank you to all the representatives here who pay a huge role in in making sure these projects are very high quality and can be delivered with excellent funding,” Ralph Fasano, Executive Director of Concern Housing, stated.
“This project is one of those where government leadership, with development leadership and community support made it happen,” Mr. Alexander confirmed.
You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.
Revitalizing Communities
The Breeze
Engel Burman Group & City of Long Beach
After lying vacant for over 40 years, Jericho-based developer Engel Burman Group has commenced construction of the $369 million-dollar Long Beach Superblock development. On 6.5 acres of waterfront property, located between Long Beach Boulevard and Riverside Boulevard, the 1.2 million square foot development includes 438 units of multifamily housing, with 238 rental apartments in a 10-story building and 200 condominium residences in two nine-story buildings. There will be 6,500 square feet of boardwalk-level retail space, a restaurant and two levels of 1,100 parking spaces.
“What a collaboration this was, having all those meetings, getting everyone together, making sure we built what the community wanted to see,” Steve Krieger, Principal at Engel Burman, explained.
You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.
Business Leadership
Adam Haber, Trellus
Adam Haber, co-founder and CEO of Long Beach-based Trellus, has found a unique way to bring to life the often-repeated mantra, Shop Local. Launched in January 2021, Trellus is an on-demand, same-day delivery service and marketplace that helps small local businesses from Queens to Montauk save time and money.
“Thank you for the kind award,” Mr. Haber stated. “I love Long Island. We help our communities by helping small businesses compete. They are all getting crushed by Amazon. Our goal is to get you to shop local and get your goods quicker.”
You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.
Transportation Leadership
New York & Atlantic Railway
For twenty-five years, New York & Atlantic Railway has been part of the solution to reducing greenhouse gas and lowing particulate emissions, while becoming an important part of the transportation infrastructure on Long Island, which is vital to our region’s economy. New York & Atlantic Railway, a true short line railroad, began operation in May 1997 as result of a privatized concession to operate freight trains on the lines owned by Long Island Rail Road. It is the main freight provider for Long Island, running diesel and electric locomotives daily on the LIRR’s commuter lines, traveling from Queens or Brooklyn to as far east as Riverhead.
Accepting the award for transportation leadership, James Bonner, President of New York & Atlantic Railway, stated, “I would like to thank our customers and partners on Long Island for continuing to believe in us and for continuing to believe that freight rail is positive and it is good overall for Long Island.”
You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.
Revitalizing Communities
11 Park Drive
Cameron Engineering, Albanese Dev. Corp. & Town of Babylon
Located at 11 Park Drive in Wyandanch, this building is the fourth affordable multifamily rental building developed and constructed by Albanese Development Corporation as Master Developer of the broader Wyandanch Rising comprehensive community revitalization initiative. 11 Park Drive provides much‐needed new construction of 94 urban‐style affordable rental apartments designed for independent senior citizens aged 62 and above. This project allows seniors to continue to lead independent lives, providing access to on‐site services when needed, including health and wellness, social work, skilled nursing, and home care. Selfhelp, one of the largest and not-for-profit human service agencies in the New York, plans to operate its Selfhelp Active Services for Aging Model (“SHASAM”) at this site.
On behalf of Albanese Development Corporation, Sarah Oral, Cameron Engineering Associate, thanked Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer, Town of Babylon Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez, BHC Architects, M-Tech Engineering, and most importantly the residents of Wyandanch for supporting this project.
John Cameron, founder and Managing Partner of Cameron Engineering, explained, “Wyandanch Village is the epitome of a transformative project that serves as a positive catalyst in a community that’s had a lot of challenges.”
You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.
Community Leadership
Laflorence Grant & Ghenya Grant
Wyandanch Community
In the tight-knit community of Wyandanch, Laflorence Grant and Ghenya Grant, mother and daughter, having been making a difference for many years.
A proud resident of Wyandanch, Laflorence Grant has lived in the community since 1972 and has always been a strong advocate for community and youth. Ms. Grant has held numerous community and elected positions, such as Trustee and President of the Wyandanch Board of Education, coordinator of the Wyandanch Public Library's Early Literacy Program, and is founder the Rosa Parks Civic Association.
Ghenya Grant, raised in Wyandanch, has been actively engaged in civic and community affairs as a public official and public servant for years. Her community and civic affiliations are extensive. Presently, Ms. Grant is President of the Wyandanch Public Library Board of Trustee and President of the Greater Wyandanch Chamber of Commerce.
“Folks in the development community don’t always understand the power and the importance of community leadership,” Mr. Alexander expounded. “Day in and day out caring for a place, caring for a church, caring for a library, caring for small businesses, caring for parks, caring for public safety, caring for neighbors, caring for food pantries - you name it, community leaders do it. All these projects we are honoring today do not get done without community leaders. Two such leaders are Laflorence Grant and Ghenya Grant.”
“I would like to thank Vision Long Island for honoring me for my lifelong advocacy for children, families, and my community,” Laflorence Grant stated. Quoting Rosa Parks she stated, “To this day I believe we are here on planet earth to live, grow, and do what we can to make this world a better place for all people to enjoy the freedoms we are entitle to."
Ghenya Grant stated, “Thank you for recognizing there is value in continued growth in the Wyandanch community. I would like to thank our partners within the Wyandanch community who work with us to achieve many of our initiatives.”
You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.
Walking & Biking
Suffolk Bike Share
The origins of the Suffolk County Bike Share Program are rooted in the Connect Long Island Regional Development Plan, which is a comprehensive regional transportation and development initiative whose goal is to create an innovation economy and sustainable growth. The idea is to connect all Suffolk’s downtowns, train stations and transit-oriented developments with the County’s regional assets and educational institutions through mass transit buses and rails, while also connecting recreational assets through bikes, trails and hiking systems.
“It is very important that we have alternate transportation on Long Island,” Mr. Alexander stated. “Great work to Suffolk County for getting it done, especially to Jonathan Keyes, Director of Downtown and Transit Oriented Development in Suffolk County.”
You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.
Affordable Housing
Montauk Atlantic Revised Master Plan
D&F Development & Town of Brookhaven
The Town of Brookhaven town board has recently approved the Greater Bellport Overlay District, consisting of four distinct sub-districts which will pave the way for removing commercial blight, encouraging new affordable housing projects and providing a new recreational amenity for the residents of Greater Bellport. One of the first projects under the overlay district will be Alegra South, from Levittown-based D&F Development Group, which will include 100 rental units, as well as approximately 11,00 square feet of commercial use.
Peter Florey, co- founder and principal of D&F Development, stated, “From the very beginning this has been a community driven process and I want to particularly thank the Greater Bellport Coalition because without the community driven process, this never would have happened.”
“The goal here was to bring good, high quality affordable housing to everyone, no matter what your zip code,” Town of Brookhaven Councilman Michael Loguercio explained. “This project has brought that to fruition.”
You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.
Affordable Housing
Georgica Green Ventures & East Hampton Housing Authority
The partnership between Jericho-based developer Georgica Green Ventures and the East Hampton Housing Authority is successfully yielding much needed affordable housing in what has become an often-unaffordable location on the east end of Long Island. The Gansett Meadow affordable housing complex, located at 531 Montauk Highway in Amagansett, is a successful 37 unit mixed-income rental property. More than 500 people applied to live in the Amagansett complex, of that, over 75 percent of applicants were residents of East Hampton and eastern Southampton Town. The success of Gansett Meadow has led Georgica Green Ventures and the East Hampton Housing Authority to a second endeavor together, Three Mile Harbor, a 50-unit complex, located at 286 and 290 Three Mile Harbor Road, East Hampton.
“This is not easy work to get done,” explained Mr. Alexander. “They are getting it done in East Hampton.”
You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.
Transit Oriented Development
205 Osborn Ave., Riverhead
G2D Group & Town of Riverhead
G2D Group has a number of successful Main Street projects completed Island wide. A new mixed-use proposal, which has received preliminary site-plan approval from the Town of Riverhead, will be located at 205 Osborn Avenue in Riverhead. A true transit-oriented development, this proposed project is located a block away from the Riverhead Long Island Rail Road Station. This development will revitalize a one-half acre parcel of land that houses a long-vacant 10,000-square-foot medical office building. The preliminary site-plan is for a five-story, 37-unit luxury apartment building with amenities and a 4,000 sq. ft. WorkSmart Coworking Space on the ground floor.
“We really see that direct correlation between government and revitalization with this project,” Mr. Alexander noted.
You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.
Environment and Energy
Kevin McDonald, Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy, which works to create a world where people and nature can thrive, was founded in the U.S. in 1951 through grassroots action. The Nature Conservancy has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. By working with corporations, civic communities, business leaders, developers, government, and any and all interested parties, The Nature Conservancy focuses on what Long Island’s environment should look like in 40 or 50 years. Nature Conservancy Policy Advisor Kevin McDonald is working hard to see issues such as sea level rising, climate change adaptation, and park management & stewardship get addressed.
Mr. McDonald stated, “The Nature Conservancy is dedicated to protecting the land and water across the globe on which our life depends. That is a heavy burden. You need the natural environment to thrive, to actually live and enjoy life.”
You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.
Government Leadership
NYS COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program
Businesses in New York have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially small businesses with less than 500 employees. In August of 2021 an $800 million pandemic-relief program titled the New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program was created. Under the program, 62% of the $800 million has been distributed to nearly 29,000 applicants statewide. New York’s micro-businesses, those with 10 employees or less, have received 98% of these awards, and businesses that are woman or minority owned have received 90% of awards. On Long Island, where small businesses have been especially hard hit, more than $70 million in grants have gone to 2,970 applicants.
NYS Senator Anna Kaplan accepted the award on behalf of the Senate. “It has been a rollercoaster for all of our small businesses,” the Senator stated. “I am really happy to be a champion for small businesses and am happy to have been able to get the $800 million in last year’s budget. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities.”
You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.
Press Links
Long Island Business News
Newsday
Long Island Herald
Eric Alexander Op-Ed:
Rebuilding Main Street and building trust post COVID
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