The 22nd 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 22nd Annual LI Smart Growth Awards took place Friday, June 16th, at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. The event brought together over 750 local civic groups, chambers, municipal governments, elected officials, walkability advocates, human services and infrastructure professionals from over 50 downtowns across Long Island.

Opening the awards ceremony was Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and founder of the Long Island Main Street Alliance. “Welcome,” Mr. Alexander boomed, greeting the honorees and attendees. “This event brings us hope, each and every year. Every single honoree here today is not only deserving, but part of that hope.”  Tawaun Whitty Director of Operations of Vision Long Island, added, “Today we are taking time out to celebrate all those who are doing great work on Long Island. We all know there have been challenges these last few years, but today we honor those who were able to get the work done and make Long Island a better place.”

Ms. Whitty acknowledged and heartfully thanked the sponsors who made this event possible, including: Platinum Sponsors, 1st Equity Title, RXR and National Grid; Gold Sponsors, AT&T and M&T Bank; Silver Sponsors, Concern, PSEG Long Island, Southwest Airlines, VHB Engineers, GPI, G2D Group, H2M Architects & Engineers, B2K Development, St. Joseph’s University, Heartland Business Center, The Bristal Assisted Living, Terwilliger & Bartone, Third Street Associates, Cameron Engineering, Mill Creek Residential, Suffolk Transit, and Alpine Residential. The numerous Bronze Sponsors were also thanked.

Opening Remarks: Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone

Introducing Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Mr. Alexander stated, “I cannot think of a county executive that year in, year out, exemplifies the practices of smart growth.”

“If you look at the honorees here today, it gives me great hope and faith when I see the activity and dynamism that is happening in our region,” County Executive Bellone enthusiastically stated. “Congratulations to all the honorees here today.” The County Executive acknowledged his appreciation for the awards the County was receiving this year and thanked the many talented people involved, including Suffolk County’s Economic Development team for its vision and Suffolk Bus for its partnership. He took particular time to focus on what he calls one of the fundamental issues of our times in our region – water quality. “We cannot have a healthy prosperous region on Long Island if we are not remediating the decades of decline that we have seen in water quality,” Mr. Bellone emphasized.

“When you are dealing with existential issues like water quality, when I said we have to address this, when I had to turn to somebody that could lead this effort, there was only one person I had in mind. I went to visit him at the state DEC, then I went to visit him again, then I went to visit him again, and back again, because I knew he was the person who had to do this task. That person is Deputy County Executive Peter Scully,” County Executive Bellone proudly stated. “We have hundreds of millions of dollars in sewer infrastructure happening today because of his leadership in Suffolk County.”

Mr. Bellone thanked Vision Long Island for recognizing all that is happening to finally solve the water quality crisis. He concluded, “The crisis will not be solved overnight, it didn’t happen overnight, but it will get solved because we have a plan in place that was built with stakeholders. We are working on putting this on the ballot in the fall, giving us the opportunity to solve the water crisis once and for all.”

Introducing “Planned Locally” Campaign

Mr. Alexander, reviewing what bottom-up local planning has produced in our Long Island communities in recent years, chronicled 150 downtown TOD projects, fifty downtowns with masterplans, forty-five downtown approvals for at least one project, hundreds of downtown events, fifty traffic calming projects, fifteen walking audits with AARP, growing number of climate smart communities, over a dozen communities planning sewers, and more. “Planning locally builds trust in a time when people don’t trust each other about almost anything.” Mr. Alexander explained. “Planning locally builds the trust that we need to break through these divisions.”

Toward that end, Vision Long Island unveiled its “Planned Locally” stamp of approval. “We want to make sure we respect the idea of home first,” Vision’s Tawaun Whitty stated. “We are the ones creating our future for tomorrow. We know how to solve our own problems. We must design and guide our future.” The mark of local planning is to work with civics, chambers, local government – not steamroll over the community, but work with the local communities. Look for more information to follow in the coming months.

Congratulations To This Year’s Distinguished Honorees!

Affordable Housing Choices

Georgica Green, RXR, and the City of Glen Cove
100, 200 Dickson Street in Glen Cove

This $30 million project will bring 55 units of affordable, multi-family housing to 1.5 acres at the Garvies Point Development. This represents another step forward in the effort to bring affordable housing to an area of Long Island in need of it. The Garvies Point project consists of two four-story buildings, with 24 and 31 units split between them. 40 of the total units will be made available to residents earning up to 60% of the area’s medium income and 6 to those making 100%. 8 of the units will be reserved for residents with section 8 vouchers, which make up to 30% of the area income.

“Georgica Green Ventures is an affordable supportive housing development company,” stated David Gallo, president of the Jericho based company. “We believe we have a responsibly to demonstrate that affordable housing has a place in all communities, and that diversity of race, diversity of income, and diversity of age make our communities better and our children smarter.” Mr. Gallo highlighted, “We work with the communities to get projects approved. We take their input, we listen.”

City of Glen Cove Mayor Pam Panzenbeck thanked Vision for the award and praised the project’s construction, “It is just magnificent. Nothing was left undone. Congratulations to everyone involved in this project.”

You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.

Affordable Housing Choices

Park Grove Development & Town of Hempstead
Baldwin Commons

Thanks to a number of factors, including the 2019 adoption of an overlay district and a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant, Baldwin’s Grand Ave is set to long last experience revitalization.

Park Grove Development’s Baldwin Commons is located just west of Grand Avenue on Merrick Road, Baldwin. This $17 million, four-story, 32,504 square foot rental property will feature 27 one-bedroom units alongside 6 two-bedrooms and will be made available to renters earning 60% of the area median income, with 30% of the available units reserved for seniors. There will be public amenities, including a public pocket park and provisions for public art.

Allen Handelman, a Park Grove vice president, stated, “Baldwin Commons is really designed for households that are at the beginning and the end of their economic life cycle.” The project moved forward through its partnerships with the Baldwin Civic Association, Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, and the Town of Hempstead, Mr. Handelman stated, concluding he hopes this successful project will be a catalyst for more.

You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.

Affordable Housing Planning

Concern Housing
Liberty Gardens, Southampton

Concern Housing has been working tirelessly to raise funds for Liberty Gardens, a 60-unit affordable and supportive housing on Long Island’s east end in the Town of Southampton. Having already raised nearly $40 million, this development will feature apartments for both veterans and people with mental health needs. The site is close to downtown Southampton, with necessities such as grocery stores, pharmacies and other services, as well as the S92 bus line and Southampton railroad station which provides access to transportation.

Liberty Gardens represents a lifeline for veterans who are unable to afford basic needs and housing. “It’s very important to focus on the design and meeting the needs of the community where we locate,” stated Ralph Fasano, Executive Director of Concern Housing. “The management of our properties is also very important so that the development remains an asset to the community.” There is still a lot more to do, Mr. Fasano acknowledged, but it is important we help those who served this country in their time of need.

“Thank you to the legislators, the people who have the courage to approve projects like this despite some in the community that don’t want it there. Thank you for recognizing the need and recognizing the quality and importance to your localities,” Mr. Fasano closed.

You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.

Revitalizing Communities

Steel Equities & the Town of Islip
Belmont at Eastview

Originally home to the New York State Central Islip Psychiatric Center over 135 years ago, then home of the New York Institute of Technology’s Central Islip campus, the Belmont at Eastview, developed by Bethpage-based Steel Equities, now sits on 87 acres adjacent to the federal courthouse and the Long Island Ducks ballpark, bringing long sought after revitalization to the Central Islip community.

This $100 million apartment complex, located on Carleton Avenue, brings 364 units of multi-family housing, including 38 studio apartments, 180 one-bedroom units, 128 two-bedroom units, and 8 three-bedroom units, including housing for young residents and retirees, to Central Islip. This gated community features a state-of-theart community center, swimming pool, tennis, basketball, and pickleball courts, four dog parks, eleven picnic areas, five playgrounds, a community garden, and three miles of walking paths.

“The Belmont at Eastview really focuses on changing the Central Islip corridor, repurposing thirteen buildings from the 1930’s in a sprawling campus like setting,” explained Russel Mohr, vice president of development at Steel Equities. Phase two will introduce retail and medical office components to this mixed-use development.

“Smart growth can’t happen without a public/private partnership,” explained Glenn Lostrito, Jr., principal, Steel Equities, noting he hopes this project serves as a model.

Supported by the Central Islip Coalition of Good Neighbors and the Town of Islip, Supervisor Angie Carpenter said, “I have to give kudos to the community who spoke up, to the developer who listened and worked in tandem with our planning department.”

You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.

Creating Transportation Choices

Suffolk Transit & Suffolk County
Reimagine Transit Mobility Initiative

Building on Suffolk County’s Connect LI transportation and development plan, the Reimagine Transit Mobility Initiative strives to redesign Suffolk County’s fixed bus-route system and on-demand mobility services. The study focuses on three opportunity areas: Evaluating and reimaging of the transportation network; offering better and more efficient mobility services to more people; and developing a resilient system that aligns with ever-changing and evolving technology necessary to move people from place to place.

“Our new approach is to design a system that puts a heavy focus on high frequency corridors with buses that arrive every thirty minutes,” explained Jonathan Keyes, director of TOD Development for Suffolk County. Buses will run from 5 AM to 10 PM, seven days a week. Filling in between these routes will be various forms of micro-transit. It is creative and innovative with a goal to make the system friendly, safe, efficient and convenient.

The initiative has been working towards positive changes since April of 2021, and is currently entering the final phase of its timeline. It is currently approaching implementation of a new, redesigned network, with the final launch of the new network planned for Fall of 2023.

You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.

Environmental Leadership

Suffolk County Deputy County Executive
Peter Scully & Suffolk County
Wastewater Management District Plan

Mr. Scully joined the administration of Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone in 2015 to oversee the County’s “Reclaim Our Waters” initiative after more than three decades of service in state and local government which focused largely on environmental policy issues.

Prior to his appointment as Suffolk’s “Water Quality Czar”, Mr. Scully’s nearly 12 year tenure was longest ever by a Long Island Regional Director for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, where he served under four Governors. Prior to joining DEC in 2003, Mr. Scully served in a number of executive level positions in local government, where he focused on environmental issues.

As the Town of Brookhaven Deputy Supervisor in the 1980s, he oversaw creation of the Town’s first Open Space and  recycling programs, and helped craft the 1990 “ash-for-trash” agreement between Brookhaven and Hempstead. As President of the Islip Resource Recovery Agency and Commissioner of Environmental Control, Mr. Scully implemented Long Island’s first “Don’t Bag It!” waste reduction program for grass clippings, and oversaw the successful capping and remediation of the Blydenburgh Landfill, a National Priority List Superfund Site.  

As Suffolk County’s Water Quality Czar he has lead the charge to implement the county’s long-term plan to address the reliance on more than 380,000 primitive cesspools and septic systems which have contributed to nitrogen pollution fouling our bays and harbors, and causing economic stagnation in many of our downtown business districts. 

Mr. Scully has served the community in a variety of positions, as a member of the Three Village Board of Education, as Chairman of the Town of Brookhaven Conservation Advisory Council, and as President of the Civic Association of the Setaukets.  He earned both a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy at Stony Brook University, and resides in Stony Brook.

In addition Mr. Scully has shaped proposed legislation for the establishment of the Suffolk County Wastewater Management District and a new Water Quality Restoration Fund supported by an additional 1/8% sales and use tax.

The bills are the culmination of a 10 year process that resulted in the Suffolk County Clean Water Plan which, if implemented, will advance clean water projects (including sewers) and make wastewater upgrades affordable to homeowners and businesses. For far too long, communities across Suffolk County have suffered due to the lack of sewers, and water quality has declined as a result. Thanks to Mr. Scully’s leadership a growing number of civic, chamber and community organizations are in support of additional wastewater treatment infrastructure throughout Suffolk County.

You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.

Transit-Oriented Development

Alpine Residential & Town of Oyster Bay
99 Newbridge Road, Hicksville

“It is an exciting and amazing time in our town,” exclaims Town of Oyster Bat Supervisor, Joe Saladino. “A perfect example is the downtown revitalization initiative. Shovels will soon be in the ground for the Alpine development located at 99 Newbridge Road. This is a big plus for the residents of Hicksville and the Town of Oyster Bay.”

This new development, being built by Alpine Residential, will feature a new 236,000 square foot, 4-story mixed-use project consisting of 189 mixed-income residential units, market-rate and affordable, over 5,700 square feet of amenity space, 7,700 square feet of retail space, and two levels of underground parking. Amenities will include a pool, co-working space and a games room. The ground floor will feature four large courtyards and diverse landscaping that will integrate into Hicksville’s overall greenspace development plans and create a welcoming environment. There will also be several ground floor retail spaces along Nelson Avenue and Duffy Avenue aimed at bringing outdoor dining and boutique shopping to the area. All within easy walking distance of Hicksville’s LIRR train station.

“When you are talking about mixed-use development, you are creating a lot more user base for the community. The tax revenue gets increased, which also benefits the community,” stated James McCabe, Senior Project Manager of Alpine Development. “We spent two years working with the community and the Town of Oyster Bay to develop a project the community will like, so it is a partnership for the future.”

You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.

Creating Certainty

Village of Mineola
New Overlay Districts

The Village of Mineola Board of Trustees have unanimously approved two new overlay districts, establishing a Jericho Turnpike Overlay District and a Historic Overlay District.

The Jericho Turnpike Overlay District encompasses the portion of the Village’s business district fronting on Jericho Turnpike on the north and south sides between Willis Avenue and Marcellus Road. In addition to already permitted uses, the Jericho Turnpike Overlay District allows the town board to consider additional developments that include projects like multifamily residential, mixed-use buildings, assisted living residences, hotels, and event spaces, to name a few. The Historic Overlay District outlines a portion of the Village’s downtown bordered by First and Front Streets and Mineola Boulevard and Willis Street and allows for adjustments to the permissible density, coverage, floor area ratios, parking requirements, setbacks, topographical changes, area, height, open space, use or other provisions of the existing zoning and land use laws for a specific purpose authorized by the Board of Trustees, allowing for new development, while protecting the Village’s specific physical, cultural and social policies.

Village of Mineola Mayor Paul Pereira stated that he understood the Village had to think outside the box when it came to its masterplan. “The underlying area for both of these areas remains the same, the overlay allows the board to entertain applications that may make sense in one area, but not another,” the mayor stated. “The developers appreciate the guidance in helping them to make a decision if they will invest or not invest. This enables us the flexibility to reinvent our historic downtown and our commercial retail area on Jericho Turnpike, while still keeping the tradition, history, of the suburban quality of life.”

You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.

Corporate Leadership

Kathy Wisnewski, National Grid
Manager of Community and
Customer Management for Long Island

Kathy Wisnewski joined National Grid in 1989. Under her leadership, National Grid works tirelessly to serve the Long Island community in so many benevolent ways, not only in times of catastrophic need, such as Superstorm Sandy and the Covid pandemic, but year in and year out. For example, she and her National Grid team have helped facilitate over $1.8 million in grants to Long Beach and Island Park small businesses that qualified for the National Grid Emergency Economic Development Program.

Ms. Wisnewski’s work has earned her a spot in City & State’s 2021 Long Island Power 100 list and on Long Island Business News’ 50 Top Business Leaders on Long Island in 2017. Sitting on the board of Vision Long Island, Ms. Wisnewski brings her knowledge of commercial business and the variety of National Grid programs which support Smart Growth initiatives on Long Island. Serving on the board of Girls Inc. of Long Island for a total of nine years, four of which she was co-chair, she worked to encourage all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.

“Everyone who knows Kathy Wisnewski falls in love with her ethics, teamwork, and dedication to communities across Long Island, day in and day out,” stated Eric Alexander. Testimonials highlighted her belief in community and concern about her peers and customers. Kathy Wisnewski leads by example.

According to Jack Schnirman, former Nassau County Comptroller, “Kathy Wisnewski is really one of the heroes of Superstorm Sandy. She is incredibly responsive and great to work with.” She is an authentic leader, strengthening communities for years to come.

You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.

Creating Walkability

Village of Westhampton Beach
Reconstruction of Main Street

The recent reconstruction of Westhampton Beach’s Main Street is the full embodiment of the Complete Streets approach to public investment. Upon discovery that century-old wastewater pipes underneath Main Street were failing and recognizing the roadbed would need to be dismantled to make repairs, Village officials took the opportunity to completely transform the Main Street into a more complete, pedestrian-friendly corridor.

Enhancements to Main Street encompass numerous changes, including traffic circles on the east and west ends of the business corridor to calm and manage traffic entering the downtown area, wide reconstructed sidewalks, narrower travel lanes, curb extensions, a raised high-visibility crosswalk, and decorative permeable pavers. The new streetscape included clearly defined pedestrian and furnishing zones, allowing for more open and inviting storefront access. Overhead utilities were removed and placed in underground conduits, and the telephone poles were removed and replaced with decorative LED lampposts. Curb extensions also included rain gardens that help manage stormwater runoff and beautify the downtown area.

Speaking about the revitalization of Main Street, Mayor Maria Moore stated, “It took less than five years to plan and less than a year to actually complete. It has some pretty amazing environmental features and pedestrian safety features. Shop owners and residents were very supportive. They were concerned at first, but we kept the open communication going, letting them know what was going to happen every step of the way. That made a big difference.”

You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.

Creating Great Places

Town of Riverhead
Riverhead Town Square

Situated along the Peconic River, Riverhead serves as the gateway to the North and South Forks of Long Island. The concept of a town square, scenic vistas and increased public riverfront access had been proposed in every planning study beginning with the 1993 East Main Street Urban Renewal Plan.

With the help of an $800,000 grant from Empire State Development, $612,000 in Suffolk County water quality funding and $400,000 in Suffolk County Jump Start funding, the Town of Riverhead was finally able to bring green space to the downtown in 2021 when it acquired three parcels on East Main Street, now home to the Town Square. The removal of two buildings on these parcels marked completion of phase one of this five phase open air, public gathering space. Phase two includes a parking garage leading to the Town Square, phase three features an adaptable play area and plaza, phase four includes a stage with an event lawn, courtyard and sculpture garden, and phase five includes development along the riverfront and Heidi Behr Way.

What makes this project thrive is not only the commitment of every level of government, including a unified town board, but also tremendous public involvement every step of the way.

“We are the only Main Street in Suffolk County that has a riverfront along its downtown and we are going to beautify this,” stated Yvette Aguiar, Supervisor of the Town of Riverhead. “Cars should not have views of our riverfront, people should. So, we put this plan into action, we decided to open up our riverfront. People are excited.”

You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.

Community Leadership

St. Joseph’s University
Patchogue

“Community leadership is so important. It is important that institutions, particularly educational institutions, step forward and engage with communities. St. Joseph’s University is one such outstanding community leader,” stated Eric Alexander.

Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1916, St. Joseph’s University, formerly St. Joseph’s College, has over 3,000 students and 400 faculty members, and is located in Patchogue.

Island wide, St. Joseph’s sponsors countless organizations and various causes. It is leading the way in clean energy with its upcoming opening of a state-of-the-art student center in the fall of 2023; working closely with the Town of Brookhaven and Village of Patchogue to have the campus connected to the Patchogue sewer system; and participates in the LI Youth Summit, a year-round educational program in partnership with Northwell Health, Vision Long Island, National Grid and a number of other public and private organizations.

“We have five pillars: integrity, intellectual rigor, social responsibility, spiritual depth, and service,” explained Dr. Gail Lamberta, Associate Dean, Community Development. “Our motto is to be, not to seem, and that I think shows in our active involvement in communities. We are trying to help and guide the next generation of leaders.”
 
Dr. Donald Boomgaarden, President of St. Josephs, concluded, “We have always seen the University as something which is not some kind of ivory tower that exists away from the community, but is really there to be a part of the community and reach into the community. We want our students to be contributing members of the society around them, and to the degree it is possible, help transform the world for the better around them.”

You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.

Creating Walkability

Nassau County, AT&T, and FirstNet
Safety Town

Built in 1972 at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow and operated by the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), Safety Town is an educational center and miniature village that provides children with a variety of public safety learning experiences. For over fifty years, Safety Town has been a favorite grade school field trip destination. Each year more than 10,000 third graders from across Nassau County visit Safety Town and are taught traffic, pedestrian, and bicycle safety by NCPD Crossing Guards, first in a classroom, then through a unique hands-on experience using bicycles and miniature electric vehicles.

As it reached its golden jubilee, the aging community public safety asset needed significant renovation. To the rescue came FirstNet, Built with AT&T in June of 2022, providing a $110,000 contribution to allow the Nassau County Police Department Foundation to renovate and refurbish Safety Town.

“The reason the revitalization of Safety Town was so important is that Safety Town is about our community,” stated Anthony Postiglione, Sales Executive, FirstNet Solutions. “We want to support the public safety of our community and safety begins with our youth.”

You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.

Small Business Leaders

Harry Malhotra
New York South Asian Chamber of Commerce

Founder and president of the New York South Asian Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Malhotra has devoted years promoting economic advancement of South Asian small businesses.

Mr. Malhotra and the New York South Asian Chamber of Commerce understand the importance of building strong relationships between community, government, and South Asian business owners. It is through these relationships that respect for each other’s cultures and values are formed. This foundation has led to tremendous growth in restaurants, retail, health, real estate, technology and more. They work to bring people together through celebrating diversity.

“Mr. Malhotra has done so much, especially through the Coronavirus, pulling people together, promoting small business,” explained Eric Alexander. From delivering food, to helping business get grants, Mr. Malhotra and the chamber helped many in need.

“Harry has done so much to help small businesses by connecting them with the assistance they needed during the pandemic,” echoed Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino.

You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.

Community Leadership

Jean Kelly and Rob Kammerer
Interfaith Nutrition Network (The INN)

The INN has been an institution on Long Island for forty years, founded in 1983 as a single soup kitchen run by a small group of concerned volunteers, it has grown to become the largest private social service agency of its kind on Long Island, assisting those challenged by hunger, homelessness and profound poverty.

Transforming lives by addressing hunger, homelessness and poverty in a dignified and respectful manner does not happen effortlessly, it takes the dedication, concern and hard work of committed individuals. Two such individuals are Jean Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of The INN, and Robert Kammerer, member of the board of directors, both working and modelling how to unite communities to overcome the challenge of hunger and homelessness on Long Island.

“This award is years late. When we started our awards, they already deserved it,” Eric Alexander noted. “This team has done so much for Long Island. So much for people in need. They do it with massive amounts of ethics, empathy and principal. They exhibit honesty and integrity on every level.”

Under their leadership, along with the entire staff, board, volunteers and benefactors, The INN provides over 200,000 meals annually to both children and adults, provides emergency housing to approximately 1,000 homeless individuals annually, an average of 70 people and up to 20 families nightly, assists with long term housing, and provides access to social services to thousands in need.

“What you give back is much more than what you give away,” Rob Kammerer concluded.

You can view the video showcasing our honoree here.

Mr. Alexander thanked Vision’s Board of Directors, and the many state and local elected officials who were in attendance, including NYS officials Hon. Kim Jean Pierre, NYS Assembly; Hon. Gina Silletti, NYS Assembly; Hon. Keith Brown, NYS Assembly; Hon. Jodi Giglio, NYS Assembly; Former NYS Assemblywoman Hon. Michele Schimel; Hon. Jack Martins, NYS Senator; Hon. Mario Mattera, NYS Senate; and Former NYS Senator Hon. Phil Boyle

County officials in attendance included Hon. Siela Bynoe, Nassau County Legislator; Hon. Delia Deriggi Whitton, Nassau County Legislator; Hon. Arnie Drucker, Nassau County Legislator; Hon. Laura Schaefer, Nassau County Legislature; Hon. Tom McKevitt, Nassau County Legislature; Suffolk County Executive Hon. Steve Bellone; Hon. Kevin McCaffrey, Presiding Officer, Suffolk County; Hon. Jason Richberg, Majority Leader, Suffolk County; Hon. Steve Flotteron, Suffolk County Legislator; Hon. Sam Gonzalez, Suffolk County Legislator; Hon. Stephanie Bontempi, Suffolk County Legislator; Hon. Bridget Fleming, Suffolk County Legislator; Hon. Leslie Kennedy, Suffolk County Legislator; Hon. Dominick Thorne, Suffolk County Legislator; Hon. James Mazzarella, Suffolk County Legislator; and Hon. Al Krupski, Suffolk County Legislator.

Town officials in attendance included Hon. Anthony Mannetta, Councilman, Town of Babylon; Hon. Michael Leguercio, Town of Brookhaven, Councilman; Hon. Don Clavin, Supervisor Town of Hempstead; Hon. Angie Carpenter, Town of Islip, Supervisor; Hon. Jorge Guadron, Councilman, Town of Islip; Hon. Jenn Desena, Supervisor, Town of North Hempstead; Hon. Mariann Dalimonte, Councilwoman, Town of North Hempstead; Hon. Veronica Lurvey, Councilman, Town of North Hempstead; Hon. Peter Zuckerman, Councilman, Town of North Hempstead; Hon. Laura Maier, Councilwoman, Town of Oyster Bay; Hon. Vicki Walsh, Councilwoman, Town of Oyster Bay; Hon. Steve Labriola, Councilman, Town of Oyster Bay; Hon. Jeff Pravato, Receiver of Taxes, Town of Oyster Bay; Hon. Yvette Aguiar, Supervisor, Town of Riverhead; and Hon. Bob Kern, Councilman, Town of Riverhead

City and Village officials in attendance included Hon. Pam Pazenback, Mayor, City of Glen Cove; Hon. Marsha Silverman, Councilwoman, City of Glen Cove; Hon. Elizabeth Treston, Councilwoman, City of Long Beach; Hon. Denis Siry, Mayor, Village of Amityville; Hon. Nora Haagensen, Mayor, Village of Baxter Estates & President, NCVOA; Hon. Cheryl Parisi, Trustee, Village of Farmingdale; Hon. Gary Lowendowski, Trustee, Village of Flower Hill; Hon. Jorge Martinez, Trustee, Village of Freeport; Hon. Clariona Griffith, Trustee, Village of Hempstead; Hon. Kevin Boone, Trustee, Village of Hempstead; Hon. Jeffrey Clark, Village of Mineola; Hon. Paul Cusato, Village of Mineola; Hon. Meghan Dolan, Village of Northport; Hon. Stephen Frano, Village of Westhampton Beach; Hon. Bryan Rivera, Village of Mineola; Hon. Rob Rubio, Village of Westhampton Beach; Hon. Donna Solosky, Village of Mineola; Hon. Tymann, Village of Westhampton Beach; Hon. Mike Mginty, Mayor, Village of Island Park; Hon. Paul Perriera, Mayor, Village of Mineola and Board; Hon. Sarah Oral, Trustee, Village of Roslyn; Hon. Tom McAleer, Village of Valley Stream; Hon. William Wise, Trustee, Village of Westbury; Hon. Maria Moore, Trustee, Village of Westhampton Beach and Board

Other officials in attendance included Hon. Judy Griffin, Former NYS Assemblywoman; Hon. Steve Levy, Former Suffolk County Executive; Hon. Diane Yatauro, Former Nassau County Presiding Officer; Hon. Wayne Wink, Former Nassau Legislator; Hon. Carol Quirk, Former Town of Babylon Clerk; Hon. Brian Ferrugeri, Former Town of Islip Councilman; Hon. Connie Kepert, Former Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman; Peter Ganley, Office of Congressman Nick Lalota; Mike Caplice, Office of NYS Comptroller Tom Dinapoli; Joe Galante, Office of NYS Comptroller Tom Dinapoli; and Stevens Martinez, Office of Governor Kathy Hochul.

Chambers of Commerce were also recognized, including: Gina Coletti and Bob Fonti, co-chairs of the Suffolk County Alliance of Chambers; Franklin Camarano, President of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce; Liz Wellington, Deputy Director of Nassau County for the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce; Harry Malhotra, NY South Asian Chamber of Commerce; and Luis Vasquez, President of the LI Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Wyandanch Chamber of Commerce, the Hempstead Chamber of Commerce, and the Peruvian Chamber of Commerce

Early Sponsorships and Tickets are available for the

2023 Long Island Smart Growth Summit here.