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Great Neck "Main Street" Conference
Provided by:
Village of Great Neck Plaza
Contact: Mayor Jean Celendar
516-482-450
The Villages of Great Neck Plaza, Great Neck Estates and Great Neck held the first set of meetings and workshops for a “Main Street Conference” in early June, 2006. A Public Informational Meeting, open to the public, was held on June 5th at the Inn at Great Neck and was facilitated by a leading pedestrian and traffic safety consultant, Dan Burden. Mr. Burden, a nationally recognized authority on transportation, bicycle and pedestrian facilities and programs, has 25 years’ experience in the development of programs to facilitate communities in traffic calming practices and sustainable community design. His knowledge and understanding of over 2,000 communities throughout the U.S. and Canada was welcomed in Great Neck.
During his first visit to Great Neck, Dan Burden conducted three walking audits where he made visual assessments of Middle Neck Road through the three villages and provided a “tool box” of constructive proposals to further make the Villages of Great Neck Plaza, Great Neck Estates and Great Neck more livable/walkable communities. After his walking audits through the villages, Mr. Burden prepared a detailed slide show for the public, presenting both his previous discoveries of the walkable communities he has assessed, as well as possible suggestions for improvements to the livablity and walkability of Great Neck’s Main Street through these three communities. Following the presentation, his suggestions were responded to by the public. The public also had the opportunity to suggest ideas of their own in the “question and answer” session. Generally, the public appreciated Dan Burden’s proposals and had a great deal of positive feedback with a few questions regarding the conference. One man responded to the presentation by stating, “I am really shocked with your presentation. You do wonderful work…”
This conference was made possible by funding through the New York State Department of State in their “Quality Communities Grant,” which was prepared by Mayor Celender, an urban planner, and is being administered for all three villages by Great Neck Plaza. Its objective is to help local governments strengthen and restore their “Main Streets.” Some of the goals of this grant include; securing the future of our downtown area, downtown recruitment and retention, enhancing pedestrian safety, improving parking in the area, increasing and improving signage, etc. Mayor Jean Celender is very excited to have the support of these adjoining villages and for this cooperative initiative to help solve issues and make suggested improvements together for our “Main Street.”
In the fall/winter of this year, a second round of meetings and workshops will be scheduled to further present and enhance the plans initially made on the initial meeting. The plans will be refined based upon the walking audits, public workshops and community input. The villages look forward to future success in our downtown community and the ability to implement some positive changes and improve the “quality of life” in our villages.
If you need further information or have any questions, please contact Mayor Jean Celender, Village of Great Neck Plaza, at 516/482-4500 or e-mail her at mayorjean@greatneckplaza.net.
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