Huntington Station Revitalization Moving Ahead
Streetscaping, demolition of an old garage will add to face-lift, while activists say retail business is key.
Revitalization of Huntington Station is progressing despite some setbacks and differences of opinion about the priorities.
Getting the property at 1000 New York Ave. rehabilitated and a pedestrian mall and retail space started at that site is high on the agenda of the town's Economic Development Corp. in the new year.
Also near the top of the list is finishing the streetscaping project along both sides of New York Avenue south to Pulaski Road.
This summer, the EDC helped get Gateway Park Community Garden going at the corner of Lowndes Avenue and Rt. 110. Raised garden beds are in place now, being run by the Long Island Community Agriculture Network through the non-profit Starflower Experiences in a two-year license agreement.
"What you see isn't the final footprint for the park. We still don't have a definite plan for the park," said Joan Cergol, executive director of the EDC. "We'll talk with the community and do outreach sessions to develop a permanent plan for the site."
The town obtained the last private parcel of land in November and will work with the state for use of the state-owned parcel along the street, Cergol says, with the town either doing a transfer or getting a use and occupancy permit.
The Huntington Station Action Coalition, which brought in members from community groups, advocates and agencies, as well as government officials, recommended community education and outreach and building civic pride, along with short-term and long-term initiatives to address community organization, immigration management, housing and code enforcement, policing efforts and education and human services.
A local economy that went south along with the national economy stymied two sets of plans for developing EDC parcels.
A mixed-use development at Northridge Street, planned in more flush times, with 15,000 square feet of retail space on the first floor and a community and cultural space on the second floor, wasn't economically feasible and a developer chose not to continue working with the town.
A new market feasibility study recommends single-story retail, but Cergol said the EDC will wait for the economy to improve and try to build the mixed-use building to serve as a community benchmark. Building plans the EDC had drafted echo the design of the old Huntington Station fire house across the street, which was torn down during urban renewal.
The Starbucks drive-through proposed for 1000 New York Ave. at the corner of Olive Street, fell through when Starbucks retrenched. Developers who were going to build a mixed-use building with retail and residential at the site backed out last summer when the town refused to guarantee they would receive the payout on a federal loan if they built the project according to their stated plans.
"We're a municipality. We can't guarantee that," Cergol said. "It was overwhelming. You have a difficult lending environment, there was chaos in Huntington Station with gang shootings and a school closing -- it was a confluence of events."
Since then, the town has acquired title to the parcel.
Demolition of the building is expected to start after asbestos and lead paint abatement is completed, by about mid-January, she said. The retail project should go out for a request for proposals in the first quarter. "It's a high-visibility corner, and it's in the sewer district," Cergol said. "This is real estate. We realize we have to try this again."
The town is awaiting state Department of Transportation approval for the pedestrian plaza and streetscaping from the triangle at Jonny D's Pizza south to Pulaski Road.
Board members noted at their November meeting that approval is being delayed by backlogs caused by retirements within the DOT. "We're already funded for that and we have our contractor ready to go," Cergol said. The town has $3.015 million for the pedestrian plaza and streetscaping.
The EDC, which was formed in 2003, is charged with fostering economic development by acquiring, building, and rehabilitating commercial and recreational facilities, obtaining and providing municipal improvements, providing advice and technical assistance to help develop businesses and to secure private and public funding for public purpose projects.
Also in the future are plans to develop what's listed in the EDC's 2009 annual report as a brownfield, the former Rotundo waste-transfer station, a vacant parcel behind the Huntington Station branch library. It's possible the town and EDC could do a land swap between the Rotundo site and the surface parking lots on the west side of New York Avenue, between the pedestrian bridge and the Huntington Community First Aid Squad building on Railroad Steet, says EDC board member Dolores Thompson.
That's with an eye to developing retail shops to attract some of the Long Island Rail Road commuters who pass through the Huntington station, and in keeping with building a business area near the station.
"We have to really engage the railroad," said Thompson, also a community activist and outgoing NAACP chapter president. "We need to make that a plaza like you have in other areas, so when you get off the train you can go to the bakery or the cleaners or the drug store."
What the EDC could do instead, suggests Matt Harris, a Huntington Station resident and community activist who opposed the failed Avalon Bay housing development, is consider putting in a transit-oriented district at the Rotundo site. "It's 6/1oths of a mile from the train station. People could walk. That's a site that's ripe for development."
The EDC needs to focus on getting businesses into Huntington Station, Harris said. "We need our downtown back. No more housing. Give me storefronts. Why do we have empty parking lots?" he asked, referring to the parking lots on the west side of New York Avenue by Church Street, where a busy downtown stood before urban renewal.
One of the projects the EDC started in 2008 before the economy soured was to get a rendering of plans for a mixed-use retail center in that northern parking lot.
"They talk about revitalization, but I haven't seen it," Harris said. A good start for 2011 is to tear down the dilapidated garage at 1000 New York Ave. and put in retail and finish the pedestrian plaza. "I would like that to happen by the end of 2011," Harris said. "They've got the development dollars to do this."
That site is a perfect block where EDC can start over, he said. The town should buy, fix or replace the buildings near the old garage. "They could start all over and make it right," Harris said.
Harris and Thompson agree that stores are needed to help revitalize the community. One way to do that is to improve the appearance and business climate, Thompson said. They agree that removing the old garage and redoing that Olive Street corner is a good start.
Streetscaping will help, Thompson said, as will getting more police out into the community on a regular basis and doing more events to boost civic pride like the Oct. 2 Unity in the Community festival and parade she helped organize. "2010 wasn't a good year," Thompson said, "but it was a year when people got involved and figured out what they need to do. We need to build on that. We have to change people."
The past year has been difficult, Cergol agreed, with the closing of Jack Abrams, continued slow economic times and the community division over the proposed 490-unit Avalon Bay housing development, which was ultimately rejected by the Town Board. The EDC was "one of many entities that Avalon reached out to," Cergol said. "Where people live is important to a revitalization process. We looked at it as having direct connectivity to our revitalization efforts. It would enhance and support what we're doing to get market-rate housing."
Cergol is optimistic about the coming year. "We're trying to balance so many needs in Huntington Station. When a school is shuttered, it's a bad message to the community. That's not good for what we do. Perception is reality to people. We need to start moving ahead and some real construction will be a good signal to people."
On that, all parties seem to agree.
David Livingston
5:03 pm on Sunday, January 2, 2011
I applaud the effort to make the face of New York Ave more appealing, however, it is the environment around the spruced up areas that need to be addressed. The crime, illegal aliens, and gang activity need to be curtailed before any corporate entity makes a sizable investment in that community.
Ilene Fucci
5:18 pm on Sunday, January 2, 2011
I sure hope so Huntington Station resident, but it seems all we get is excuses and not much action. Matt Harris gives many good suggestions, lets see if any of them get carried out. No more housing, we need commercial development to support the housing that we already have. IMHO, the poor state that Huntington Station is in can be traced back to the lack of code enforcement and so can the closing of that wonderful school. When the town gets serious about enforcing the laws, we will begin to see revitalization of our community. Until then, just more lip service. BTW, I have about 30 press releases dated back to 198o's that sound very much like this one.
dani
5:18 pm on Sunday, January 2, 2011
I agree with David L. Sprucing up is all fine and dandy AFTER you remove the bad element. I wouldn't care if the greatest store in the world was giving away bars of gold for free, I wouldnt go if I didn't feel safe. This is a waste of money right now because the trash that lives there will only destroy any efforts to improve. Like the saying goes, you can put lipstick on a pig, and all you have is a pig wearing lipstick! Get rid of the trashy element first THEN fix it up.
David Livingston
4:55 pm on Monday, January 3, 2011
No, I can't mind my own business, because many of the trash elements infest my neighborhood like a pestilence. HS off of New York Avenue is a DUMP. Zoning is the solution. I had a neighbor have a zoning issue mysteriously disappear without doing a thing to the illegal structure. I checked online with the Town of Huntington zoning site, and he never received a C of O or variance, as would have been stated online. I take it that the neighbor used small, unmarked bills.
David Livingston
5:22 pm on Sunday, January 2, 2011
Ms. Fucci hit the nail on the head. Cod Enforcement! Period, end of sentence.
Ilene Fucci
5:36 pm on Sunday, January 2, 2011
We all need to remember that there are many wonderful families that live in that crime filled area. The town has allowed the area we are speaking of to become a safe haven for slumlords and criminals. The majority of people that live there deserve peace just like the rest of us. I hope that in 2011 the residents of this community will finally come together and demand that we deal with the housing issues we have before we attempt to build new ones. I have done extensive research on the history of this issue and the facts are extremely disturbing. Thanks to the information age, maybe we can finally change this terrible situation.
David Livingston
7:00 pm on Sunday, January 2, 2011
Cod = Code btw...
Patched Out
7:01 pm on Sunday, January 2, 2011
Joan and Fay....."The town obtained the last private parcel of land in November "
Obtained? you mean eminent domain? Thats like an alleged perpetrator saying give me your wallet if not you die. There are meetings scheduled for this month to already get more people in the area discussed here in and to allow more and more and more of the same old same old...STOP!
NO MORE.
Ilene Fucci
7:44 pm on Sunday, January 2, 2011
I am curious to learn the details behind how this property was taken by eminent domain. The property was an eyesore and maybe this was a good move for the community. Unfortunately, we must question everything this Town Board does. I wonder if they attempted to purchase the property? They seem to have no problem offering certain landlords more than market rate for their properties. Imagine that, in this economy. For more details, research the Take Back the Blocks Program.
Ilene Fucci
7:49 pm on Sunday, January 2, 2011
One last thought.. the town (CDA) purchases eyesore properties from landlords (or at least one landlord) above market rate. Then the landlord uses the profits from this sale to purchase more properties (at a lower price) in Huntington Station.
...and the tax payers pay for all of this.
David Livingston
7:52 pm on Sunday, January 2, 2011
1. Who is the landlord?
2. If certain, why hasn't Newsday, or The Patch opened an investigation?
Patched Out
8:29 pm on Sunday, January 2, 2011
David you dont know! Com mon.
Newday? The only thing that Newsday will print is if the land was taken by gunpoint by the town and that once again proves there is more crime in HS, of course around JAI! That gets print for sure.
Patched Out
8:30 pm on Sunday, January 2, 2011
Newsday reporters can't even get the facts straight and when you catch them in it and email them there answer is I will check into it...never a correction about Huntington Station issues.....Pleazzz
Ilene Fucci
8:37 pm on Sunday, January 2, 2011
Newsday had no interest in finding out or printing the truth about the Avalon Bay project and they have no interest in uncovering the truth about anything that will make the current town board look bad (except of course Mayoka). I will find some reference articles for you and post them.
Ilene Fucci
8:39 pm on Sunday, January 2, 2011
right from the Patch..
http://huntington.patch.com/articles/town-county-pay-788k-for-knockdowns
matt harris
10:54 pm on Sunday, January 2, 2011
I want to clarify what I said to Kay was the Avalon site was 6/10ths of a mile and the Rotondo site is less than 1/4 from the train station.
Hayley
11:46 pm on Sunday, January 2, 2011
Is this site at Olive St really the HEART of Huntington Station ? What about South of Pulaski Rd? This is the area that needs the help /what about Depot Rd I live on a block off this rd and the sidewalks are horrible my son can't even ride his bike its so uneven or the lack of side walks so many people in this community dont have cars or if they just want to take a walk with a stroller like I do and its very hard to with cars speeding and lack of proper sidewalks ! I pay a huge tax bill in this town to be treated like a second class citizen - What about the Community Market ! They are in the prosses of a huge renovation - I think that is great for the area - who cares about a new 7-11 or the "farmer market " its not a farmers market its a small market with a deli and friut etc that has been sold now 3 times ! The town should have supported the real farmers market in the station lot that lasted 2 weeks I really didnt see any big press about it - also all of these other events that go on to help get the Station residents together I never hear of them till they are over with and I live in this area ! Also the town must stop rewarding the SLUM LORDS they are the ones making this area look the way it does - look at Pulaski Rd East of Depot ! One word PIUS Shame on the Town Board
Hayley
7:27 pm on Monday, January 3, 2011
I know I think the town should have show their support if they invited them ! If all the pople that come out on Sunday and sell the place out would come on Sat also it would help the HS area -I talked with Terry who runs the market and she stopped because it was to slow not enough foot traffic - if the town did a little advertising like they do with every other event that blows the town into a traffic nightmare the market might have stayed and some of local HS residents wouldnt have to trek to the village to get some local produce
Jen LaVertu
8:14 am on Monday, January 3, 2011
"This summer, the EDC helped get Gateway Park Community Garden going at the corner of Lowndes Avenue and Rt. 110" I would like to declaire my famous "bullcaca" on this statement. The woods were torn down BECAUSE the community DEMANDED it after a shooting near JAI and the shooter hid in the woods. I have photos and news articles to back this up and I drove by EVERY day to make sure and make the apprropriate phone calls necessary to make sure the promise to tae it down was followed thru. The RESULT was the EDC making a community garden.
Point #2. Starbucks!!! Really? I am glad it feel thru. First off you JUST put in a Dunkin Donuts 1/2 mile away, so WHY would you put in a competitor right next door to sink the new business you put in???? The EDC needs new blood and certain people need to go. The old blood and ideas are getting us NOWHERE faster. Ya'll pulled the same stupid stunt in Northport by the One Stop when you put a 7-eleven right across the street. Seems like an intent to sink certain businesses.
Could someone PLEASE look into 1268 New York Avenue and tell me what the HECK the new Town business called the "Business Incubator" is? WTF? What came first. The chicken or the egg? More bullcaca parcels of property not patying a commercial tax base that the residents get the make up in higher property taxes.
PLEASE give us VIABLE business's and quit blowing retail smoke up my arse.
Kim
12:24 pm on Monday, January 3, 2011
Jen,
You need to look at the timeline of when DD recruited and when Starbucks was recruited to fully understand the situation. None of these deals happen over night and all of them are quite complex to pull off given all the parties involved that have to agree.
I would like to know how many of you who are doing all the critizing have degrees in a business disipline or economics? Or maybe experience in retail management/small business ownership? How many of you are willing to step up to the plate and make a financial investment in HS? And what about Burger Haven? Why did it close? Could it have been that the demographics of the area changed where people with less money moved in and couldnt support the small business? And what about this Business Incubator? Maybe sometimes you could try looking at the other side of things to see the positive aspect of a plan and again to understand that things are in the works for years. The problem is that you haven't been paying attention all this years like I have. Again what is your motive for taking such an interest now in my neighborhood?
Huntington Resident
9:05 am on Monday, January 3, 2011
[It's possible the town and EDC could do a land swap between the Rotundo site and the surface parking lots on the west side of New York Avenue, between the pedestrian bridge and the Huntington Community First Aid Squad building on Railroad Steet, says EDC board member Dolores Thompson.]
Of course. Commuters are the most able bodied residents in Huntiongton. We can walk for miles and there is nothing safer than crossing NY Avenue in the dark (that's sarcasm in case you didnt notice). We lost a perfectly good parking lot on Broadway so housing could be built. Yes it was replaced by an indoor garage but there is no security when you need it and it has to be the model of poor construction.
[Why do we have empty parking lots? ]
Because us able bodied commuters do not want to park in remote areas without any security presence.
Ilene Fucci
10:03 am on Monday, January 3, 2011
True Matt, but just to be clear, that parking garage that was replaced to accommodate the affordable housing, was estimated to cost 7 million dollars. (I am waiting to confirm the actual cost and I bet it ended up costing more than 7 million. ) In addition, the MTA paid for half of it. We keep raising the MTA tax and fees, until people are taxed to death. So essentially some of the MTA tax money is going to support affordable housing. The other half of the parking garage was also paid for with tax money. I wonder if that 7 million dollars was used to support new businesses if we would be better of today? Imagine if all of the money that was squandered under this current town administration over the past 20 years was used for economic development, what a beautiful thriving downtown we could have in Huntington Station. If that was the case, we would have the jobs and the stores to support a logical affordable housing program.
Marita Eybergen
10:34 am on Monday, January 3, 2011
The reason people aren't parking in the parking garage is because they do not want to pay for a parking permit. Just look at the surrounding area of the station, most of all the cars parked there are commuters. We have a one hour parking area and the commuters still park there. Now if the town would ticket them, they would make a fortune. Beside, I have not heard of any shooting or muggings that happened in the garage.
Huntington Resident
8:45 am on Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Come on Ilene.
First of all, I am not Matt.
Second of all I wish I could share you optimism about having "a beautiful thriving downtown". Nice building facades do not make a thriving area. People do. I will not go to CVS on Depot Rd until they rid the area of day laborers who loiter in and around the CVS parking lot, who oogle at and comment to all the women who walk by. I always think twice before shopping at Walgreen's on NY Ave and forget about KMart.
Jen LaVertu
9:29 am on Monday, January 3, 2011
Well there is an entire parking field you can't park in because the DOT uses it to make $$$$ for the State of NY by pulling over the hard working truck drivers and giving them a finiancial enema in the form of 15-20 tickets hoping at least 5 will stick so they can pay their paychecks. I have video if anyone is interested.
That is why you have empty parking lots. THAT coupled with people not being able to find work......duh
David Livingston
9:52 am on Monday, January 3, 2011
I don't care who builds what. If Starbucks wants to put a store near a D&D, let them. If it eradicates and eyesore, and those who were responsible for the eyesore, then so be it.
Marita Eybergen
10:26 am on Monday, January 3, 2011
I agree with you David. All is fair in retail verse retail. Starbucks would help the area, besides I like Starbuck over DD.
Jen LaVertu
11:02 am on Monday, January 3, 2011
Either way Starbucks backed out and it's not even worth debating over. As far as "those responsible for the eyesore" they can be found at 100 Main Street. You might want to consider voting them out in Novemeber. Would you like a ride to the polls?
Ilene Fucci
10:06 am on Monday, January 3, 2011
True David, but the Town is not putting together a logical revitalization plan. A store opens, and then goes out of business before the next one opens. In addition, they put apartments above the stores and then you have people living above a vacant store. This is a recipe for disaster.
Patched Out
10:16 am on Monday, January 3, 2011
WOW is this a New Year? or 2010? or 2000? or 1990? or 1980? or 1970? or 1960? JUST CHECKING.....
David Pennetta
11:06 am on Monday, January 3, 2011
The EDC does a lot considering it's run by volunteer residents, the persistence of the economic downturn and all of the red tape that needs to be addressed on the state and federal level to get anything accomplished.
We appreciate all of those that have joined us at our board meetings last year with your questions and suggestions. Starting at our first 2011 board meeting, which is scheduled for tomorrow night at 7pm (Tuesday Jan 4th), the EDC has moved to larger accommodations at the TOH Town Hall Board room.
The EDC and the community has benefited from a number of residents who have attended our meetings and spent the time to understand the issues and contributed with their expertise on certain projects. If you have the time, please consider attending one or more meetings this year.
David Pennetta, Vice Chairman EDC
Patched Out
11:08 am on Monday, January 3, 2011
Thank you David
Ilene Fucci
11:25 am on Monday, January 3, 2011
David, I sincerely respect the hard work you do for this community and many of the other members of the EDC board. Unfortunately, you and the EDC lost credibility with many member of this community when you supported the lies of the downzoning and the mistreatment of members of the Huntington Station community. Until the supporters of the downzoning are ready to step forward and acknowledge where they went wrong, there will never be a relationship of trust. The ZBA scheduled for January 20, is further proof that the residents of this community were correct in their fears that there was a bigger picture in mind for our community. I have no intention of going back and forth with you on this topic, as it will be a very unpleasant reminder of the previous summer. Anyone who is still unaware of the truth and lies surrounding the TOD, or is unwilling to be forthcoming, is frankly not fit to make decision for the future of the Huntington Station community.
Patched Out
11:42 am on Monday, January 3, 2011
Amen and Thank You Ilene!
David Pennetta
12:01 pm on Monday, January 3, 2011
Ilene,
I dont seek your validation that I'm a good person and I'm sorry we were on separate sides of the fence with Avalon. :)
I understand there are matters of perspective, but neither did I or the EDC ever lie about that development or its benefits or problems (I openly stated that there were issues that needed addressing). The TOD should have been done differently but they didnt consult me when they wrote it. I would be happy to meet with you to discuss and clear the air. We do agree on this- recently I've been posting again since backing off at the end of the summer, so I didnt enjoy those days either. We do appreciate your husband attending some of the last EDC board meetings, he may be able to help us.
Here is an update on some of the projects in HS:
http://town.huntington.ny.us/pdfs/HS_Project_Updates_12-21-10.pdf
The EDC also identified technology and orchestrated the initial meeting at town hall with our public officials, Suffolk County Police Chief and representatives of ShotSpotter to discuss how to get funding for this technology and bring it to Huntington Station. The EDC subsequently testified to the legislature for ShotSpotter, and Legislator Jon Cooper fought very hard over many months and through many obstacles to successfully procure funding for it and championed this through. Other than its obvious safely benefits it also helps economic development.
Mike Field of Huntington Station
9:12 pm on Monday, January 3, 2011
You wrote:
"The EDC subsequently testified to the legislature for ShotSpotter, and Legislator Jon Cooper fought very hard over many months and through many obstacles to successfully procure funding for it and championed this through. Other than its obvious safely benefits it also helps economic development."
How does the installation of an unproven (no unbiased effectivness studies in a US urban environment have been completed) ShotSpotter system help the community? With all the ShotSpotter PR done how do you expect to get businesses and people to move into a community that is concerned about people firing guns. Do you see the contradiction here?
There are hundreds of houses available for sale in HS. There are 30 or so for $175,000. Why not help people buy these houses with that $400,000+ ShotSpotter money? That would really be helping HS.
Ilene Fucci
12:25 pm on Monday, January 3, 2011
Kim, I will only speak for myself, but I am pretty sure many of the residents you are referring to share a similiar answer. In response to "Also I do hope your motivations are pure and that is to help move the revitalization forward and or not suddenly just showing up to try and block things since you are working on someone's political campaign for Nov." the answer to your questions are yes on both accounts. My motives are very pure, as I will not give up until we see true revitalization of our community, and yes, I will be working very hard to get new candidates in this November. It is the only way we have a chance of seeing change. I also look forward to the positive things that will happen this year only because it is an election year, and I look forward to the benefits that will bring. Of course, if the current administration stays as it, the improvements will stop immediately after Nov. 2011. I will support any real attemp at improvement and I will continue to work towards exposing the lies. Maybe there will even be things we can agree on this year. Would you ever support a good republician candidate?
Frank H.
5:39 pm on Monday, January 3, 2011
I like the new 7-11 I use it all the time after I get off the train. Would love if there were more stores across the street from the train station.
David Livingston
6:08 pm on Monday, January 3, 2011
No one is going a penny into a dump, unless is it some affirmative action program sponsored by the Feds.
Frank H.
6:18 pm on Monday, January 3, 2011
It is sad to hear about the old huntington hotel in the village being torn down and replaced with a TD bank. It will feel strange coming into the village.
Marita Eybergen
5:01 pm on Monday, April 4, 2011
I just want to make note of a conversation that I transpired while I was at a soccer game at Manor Field on Sunday, April 3, 2011. This is how it went: A woman from Mattituck was coming to game at Manor from Deer Park Road/Park Avenue, not knowing that area, she happen to get lost and ended up on New York Avenue in Huntington Sta. Well, when she finally got to Manor after being lost for about a 1/2 an hour going up and down NY Avenue and spoke to her friend that lives in Mattituck that was originally from Melville, she said to her "I thought you said Huntington was a beautiful town". Her friend replied, "Huntington is beautiful but you were in the station area". Well the woman who got lost said, "I felt like I was in danger when I stopped at Dunkin Donuts on NY Avenue by the puppy store to get coffee and directions back to the field". She also said, that the area was rundown and disgusting. My point is that this is how many people feel about Huntington Station that has to pass through this area in order to get to "the beautiful down town area known as Huntington Village". Then the lost woman happen to say to me, are you from this area, and with great embarrassment, I told her that I live a few blocks from the this field and she said "REALLY! And then I went back to watch the game with the parents from the team. So when is the Revitalization of the Station going to start. The weather should not be of any concern now.
Marita Eybergen
10:36 am on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Kim, that is such great news to hear about the brick sidewalk. Let's hope they keep on top of the train station and cleanup that area. I read that the town has put money aside to fix the outer side of the train station of NYAve & Broadway. Do you know if they are replacing the fence under the overpass? Also what about putting a stone or brick over that grey wall under the overpass instead of the grey wall. If not, maybe the could get a local dealer to sponsor this and have there name as a dedication plate that they did this. I think that would look better than the grey wall.
Jen LaVertu
12:19 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The activity you are seeing is a private electric company doing work. I would not start a rumor about sidewalks that have been almost 7 years in the making until you know for sure.
Marita Eybergen
12:22 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Thanks for the update, I guess it was to good to be true that they would be starting the sidewalks.
Marita Eybergen
12:20 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Ok, can't wait for that project to start. I can see the mural being an issue but I am still in favor of replacing the gray wall with stone or brick. Like when you go to thru the Bronx, they changed the wall to brick and it looks wonderful. Anyway, if you haven't heard it in a while, thank you for all your time and hard work you do for this community. There should be a lot more people like you in this community then we wouldn't have so many problems. You truly care and I personally thank you.
Jen LaVertu
12:37 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Thanks Marita!!! btw....if we are having issues that require the uprooting I am seeing I am glad the sidewalks are not in yet. Only because I would hate to pay for them twice! lol....
Marita Eybergen
12:43 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
I agree, they did this on my block. We finally get our area streets paved and then LIPA within two weeks after being paved, dig a huge hole they replace the big hole and it looks horrible. Keep us posted after the meeting tonight, would love to hear what they have to say to your questions.
Kim
12:49 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
I think the best thing we who truely care for HS can do today is go and VOTE YES for the Huntington library budget. I heard a rumor that there was a group of people who launched a campaign to take down the budget with the intent of getting the HS branch library closed. In my mind that would be setting the HS revitalization efforts backwards!
Marita Eybergen
1:00 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Really, that would be a disaster. Why do they want that branch not to exist anymore? That Library is always busy and we definitely need that branch there. Do you think they started this rumor to get people just to vote? And yes, that would put the station backwards.
Kim
1:03 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
I could speculate.....the branch location serves minority?
Marita Eybergen
1:08 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
But then so does the 7-11, the gas station, the Church, the schools, the train station, the Big H, I could go on, but that would be terrible is that is the case. Let's hope not. Keep eyes and ears open to see if this is true.
Marita Eybergen
1:25 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
That is the same reason why business do close because they cannot afford to pay the taxes, especially if you are on a main road. The business can't survive and that is why they close and the burden falls on us, the homeowners. How much can we take. Maybe we need LIPA to move to the station to help us subsidize our taxes instead of NPT & ENPT. I am in favor of keeping the Library and think our tax dollar for this is well spent.
Jen LaVertu
1:28 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Thats a horrible rumor!!!
" I heard a rumor that there was a group of people who launched a campaign to take down the budget with the intent of getting the HS branch library closed. In my mind that would be setting the HS revitalization efforts backwards!"
Why would you even put this out there Kim? You even state it's a "rumor". And claiming because it's minority is like trying to align anyone who does not agree with the budget ($8.7 MILLION???!!!! come on now....not all of us agree) but to try to claim because it's a "minority library"??? Why do you always start making stuff up ?Your back to your old tricks with "I do so much in the community " people who need to lay out "what I have done" are doing it from a place of needing credit and not a place of true caring. Try being a little humble. I have known you for over a year now and I can vouch this is a pattern with you.
This thread is not about the library budget. It is off topic. It is also now full of rumors that some will believe and it is proactive in our community to be doing such things. It is a shame to try to bring us back to a racial issue over a library budget. Shame on you Kim! I hope Pam see's this and removes it...it is truly shameful how hateful you try to make this community.