The Town of North Hempstead received $150,000 on Friday for transit-oriented development projects in Roslyn.
North Hempstead joined the Town of Hempstead, Town of Oyster Bay, City of Long Beach, Village of Hempstead, Village of Freeport and Village of Farmingdale in receiving funds from the county’s first transit-oriented development funding competition for local municipalities.
The initiative provided $1,050,000 in funding to help stimulate downtown revitalization in areas near mass transit throughout Nassau, according to a news release from the county.
Two projects that the town will embark on were outlined in the county’s news release.
One will be the installation of a pedestrian walkway adjacent to the Roslyn Community Center to increase residential safety. The surrounding area is highlighted by the Roslyn High School, local business and the Roslyn LIRR Station.
“The Roslyn Train Station is in close proximity to homes, businesses and schools, so this pedestrian walkway will make it easier and safer for our residents to get to and from where they need to go,” Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth said.
The other will be the redevelopment of Laurel Homes adjacent to the walkway project.
According to the news release, the $45 million redevelopment will replace the existing structure that contains 66 apartment units with refurbished buildings and amenities. There will be eight new units allocated for senior living.
Additionally, $900,000 in funds from the Nassau County Office of Community Development was awarded to the project, according to the news release.
“With the growth of our Main Street business districts comes the need for pedestrian safety improvements, traffic calming, parking access and more and I am proud to help ease these growing pains for several communities with these strategic investments,” Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said.
“I am so appreciative of County Executive Laura Curran and her team for recognizing this area of Roslyn as one suitable for transit-oriented development,” Bosworth said.
Curran established the new grant program with the office of community development in October. Local municipalities submitted applications outlining plans for transit-oriented projects in a competition that received a “robust response and competitive applications,” according to the release.
Funding for the projects came from the Community Development Block Grant Program, a federal initiative that provides financial aid to support project costs and promotes development in areas near transit-oriented hubs.
County officials said these projects are required to be completed within two years of the execution of a funding agreement between the office of community development and the local municipalities.
“We must continue to capitalize on New York State’s investments in the LIRR and push our towns, villages and local developers to build ideal destinations for commuters and residents that attract the next generation and boost our local economy,” Curran said.
