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2008 SMART GROWTH AWARDS: 'A WHO’S WHO OF SMART GROWTH ON LONG ISLAND' In a time of increasing economic strain, skyrocketing fuel costs, and growing concerns about Long Island’s carbon footprint, a movement is coming together to honor the people, projects, and policiesworking to steer growth in a more positive direction.
The event was presided over by Master of Ceremonies Drew Scott, lead weekend anchor for News 12 Long Island, and featured a keynote speech from Regional Leadership Award winner Richard Kessel. There was also a special message on going green, presented by Neighborhood Network’s Neal Lewis and Vision Long Island President Ron Stein.
Thursday’s event marked the seventh annual effort hosted by Vision Long Island to honor the people, projects, and policies working to advance Smart Growth principles. The 2008 Smart Growth Award Recipients include:
Regional Leadership: Richard Kessel, former chairman of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). An advocate for alternative energy sources like solar and wind power, Mr. Kessel spent his term committing LIPA to an energy-efficient Long Island and is a champion of renewable energy and environmental issues. Notable accomplishments include decommissioning the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant, developing the Neptune Regional Transmission System, and the Caithness Long Island Energy Center (CLIEC). Mr. Kessel also pioneered LIPA’s Clean Energy Initiative, a 10-year program designed to promote energy conservation and energy efficiency, as well as the development and use of alternative energy technologies.
Transportation Choices: The City of Glen Cove and Urbitran’s Glen Cove Ferry Terminal, for its creative revitalization of a former federal superfund site into an energy efficient commuter service. In addition to adhering to LEED standards in construction, the ferry terminal will accommodate fast ferries that run on clean diesel and compressed natural gas technology and will supply commuter service to Manhattan, LaGuardia, and other commuter and recreational destinations, all while restoring Glen Cove’s waterfront. Glen Cove Mayor Ralph Suozzi commented on the project, saying, “Glen Cove was born of its waterfront and the waterfront will be an important part of its future. Having a ferry as part of the City and regional transportation mix, in our backyard, is a strategic and viable alternative in our car dependant society.”
Compact Design: Avalon Glen Cove North, the multi-family residential luxury rental community in the heart of downtown Glen Cove. This highly successful project uses density to take advantage of compact building design and fosters a walkable, attractive neighborhood. Located on 1.31 acres, the building holds 111 units ranging from studios to one- and two- bedroom units, bringing a diverse housing stock to downtown Glen Cove.
Certainty: Gene Murphy, Town of Islip Planning Department, for Chelsea Place in Bay Shore, which involves a range of housing choices including condominiums and rentals, and has an affordability requirement. It exemplifies the model for downtown re-development. In order to redevelop a marginalized block of failing commercial sites, the Town of Islip approved the zoning changes necessary for transit-oriented development, mix of uses, and higher density housing. Located across from the LIRR station, the project also includes two commercial units on the first floor, creating a destination and sense of place in a highly utilized part of the downtown.
Walkability: Polimeni Associates, for the Winston in downtown Mineola. The 9-story multi-family residential building exemplifies successful transit-oriented development, as it is in easy walking distance of the Mineola LIRR station, bus lines, businesses, and amenities of downtown. The Winston brings additional foot traffic to Mineola’s streets and greatly enhances the visual aesthetics of the Willis Ave. and Old Country Rd. corridors by replacing an aging office building.
Mixed Use: Vintage Square in Riverhead. The energy efficient transit oriented development project revitalizes downtown Riverhead’s Railroad Avenue corridor with retail space, office space, parking for the NYS Supreme Courts, and a residential component that provides next-generation housing. Utilizing green construction techniques and material, the plan includes tiered parking for the transportation hub and shuttle service to other destinations, such as the ferry at Orient Point and Main Street. It also features a 10-screen cinema complex, a public plaza for cultural and community events, and a dynamic civic space.
Environmental Enhancements & Infrastructure: Save the Forge River, a non-profit community organization created to restore the livelihood the Forge River. The river has deteriorated as a result of Suffolk County’s reliance on septic tanks. Through grassroots organizing and legislative initiatives, they have raised public awareness and concerns for the hazardous environmental effects of poor infrastructure and waste-water management. The group continues to advocate for the creation of a sewer district for Mastic, Shirley, and Mastic Beach. “Our waterways are in jeopardy throughout Suffolk County, and some local waterways are already unable to sustain marine life in the tri-hamlet area,” said Suffolk County Legislator, Kate Browning.
Sense of Place: Village of Baxter Estates and Condeco Development. The rehabilitation of 299 Main Street, an aging historic building in downtown Port Washington, is exemplary of successful historic preservation and subsequent sense of renewal that comes to the community. The rehabilitation of the four-story concrete and brick building, constructed in 1912, into a mixed-use building of retail and residential units, was planned with officials from the Village of Baxter Estates and Condeco Development, LLC of Deer Park. While retrofitting the existing historic building, the architectural firm of Notaro Group and Associates duplicated the original façade and architectural style, complimenting the downtown’s aesthetics.
• Twelve community organizations and ten business and community leaders These honorees are making strides toward fulfilling a long overlooked market. A poll conducted by SUNY Stony Brook on behalf of VISION found that a full 43% of Long Islanders, whether or not they have children, would prefer to live in mixed-use areas in which residents could walk to stores, schools, and services. 52% of Long Islanders between the ages of 18 and 35 preferred mixed use neighborhoods. This indicates that a lack of affordable housing, while a critical factor, is not the only variable causing young people to leave Long Island in droves. Part of problem may be a lack of lifestyle options.
The Smart Growth Awards is one of two primary Smart Growth events held on Long Island each year. In November, these leaders will reconvene for the annual Smart Growth Summit, a full day of worksessions and plenaries designed to analyze issues as they pertain to land-use, to measure progress, and to pull together the pieces and meet the needs of Long Island.
Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy L. Goosby applaudes the honorees, “Congratulation 2008 Honorees on your dedicated commitment of challenging the old and initiating change through the use of your vocational gifts! You have truly demonstrated outstanding community leadership.” Elected Officials Village City Town County Nassau - Suffolk - For more information, visit www.visionlongisland.org
or call 631-261-0242.
The pdf version of this press release and the 2008 Smart Growth Awards Journal are available on our website. For news coverage of the event, check out Long Island Business News. Watch for @Home Magazine's new edition and numerous local papers for additional coverage. |
Nearly 700 government, business, civic, and environmental leaders attended the 2008 Smart Growth Awards, held on Thursday, June 12th from 11:30am to 2:00pm at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.
This years honorees, and the masses of government, business and community leaders coming to celebrate them, embrace a fundamental solution - Smart Growth. Smart Growth favors mixed-use, mixed-income development that is attractive and strategically designed to enhance the greater area. Smart Growth reduces traffic by making alternative transportation a realistic and even pleasant option. It embraces clean energy and sustainability by design.
Revitalizing Communities: Diana Coleman, of Nassau County’s Economic Opportunity Commission (EOC) in Hempstead, a highly respected activist who is committed to promoting equal access to culturally and linguistically appropriate health care and economic development issues. Co-founder of United People for Social, Economic and Racial Justice (UPSERJ), she has worked tirelessly to provide low-income and minority individuals in Nassau County the opportunity for education, training, employment, health care and decent housing and “help people help themselves.”
Community Leadership: West Hempstead Civic Association, led by President Rosalie Norton. The Civic Association has educated and galvanized the community to support higher density, multi-family housing to remove the blighted Courtesy Hotel. Reversing what could’ve been a NIMBY campaign, the West Hempstead Civic Association embraced the progressive ideas of Smart Growth, zoning changes and context sensitive solutions. Founded in 1995 to start a revitalization campaign in the community, the civic association has made improvements with safety initiatives and keeps the community informed. 
Together with these 2008 honorees, a tally of Smart Growth Awards given by Vision Long Island includes:
Said Hempstead Town Councilman Ed Ambrosino, “Our downtowns can be vibrant economic engines, welcoming destinations to gather and dynamic reflections of the character and energy of individual communities. Incorporating Smart Growth principles into development and redevelopment initiatives will pay dividends economically, environmentally, and socially today and for generations to come.”
“Vision Long Island has helped bring Smart Growth development on Long Island out from the fringes and into the mainstream,” said Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman, “This year’s group of honorees has stayed true to their visions of a better tomorrow for our island and we are all the beneficiaries of their good work.”
SMART GROWTH NEWS Newsletter Editor: Michelle Dutchen, Communications Director We strive to provide continued quality publications such as this each week. If you are interested in becoming a newsletter or news blast sponsor, please call the office at 631-261-0242 for rates and opportunities. If you have any news or events that you would like to add to our newsletter, submit them to info@visionlongisland.org for consideration.
For more information about Vision Long Island, visit http://www.visionlongisland.org or contact us at: |
