The concept of downtown revitalization is no stranger to the media and public knowledge. These endeavors consist of sewer installation and wastewater management, updating and beautifying streets and storefronts, installing traffic-calming measures to improve transportation for pedestrians and bicyclists, improving general quality of life, and increasing commerce with the goal of making local economies more self-sustaining.
However, these initiatives are often costly as they are time-consuming. But with the help of state and federal grant programs, these revisions and master plans can become a reality.
The Town of Smithtown, with the help and lobbying of Kings Park community organizations, successfully appealed to Albany in the seventh annual Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Grant round, making Kings Park the top winner in the state and in the Long Island region.
The grand prize: a $10 million check for downtown revitalization for Kings Park. Governor Kathy Hochul (D) herself made a surprise visit to Kings Park High School last Thursday morning to congratulate the community herself. The Governor also announced $4.5 million each for the villages of Bellport and Mineola as part of the New York Forward program.
“There’s nothing like Long Island; it is a microcosm of the entire state. Investments we make here we can transport to other parts of the state,” said Hochul. “You have wineries, small farms, charming rural areas, and suburbs. I’m the first governor from the suburbs; I understand what they’re all about. We [Long Island] have vibrant cities and communities, we have the oldest history in the state and we have the brightest future. To me, you’re not remote at all, you’re always top of mind. I knew I had to come to Long Island first for my first rollout [of this grant] in the state.”
Hochul then touted her record in office over the last two years and summarized her controversial $233 billion budget for the 2025 fiscal year as it pertains to Long Island. She mentioned retail theft, public safety, rebuilding the state’s mental health system, keeping kids in school, getting “back to basics” on phonics, among other initiatives.
“Through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward, we are investing in New York’s downtowns – the heartbeat of our communities,”said Hochul. “With this funding, Smithtown-Kings Park, Brookhaven-North Bellport and Mineola will have the tools they need to reimagine their downtowns to enhance the quality of life for residents, draw visitors, and spur economic opportunity throughout their communities.”
This competitive grant is the largest annual grant provided by New York State, to one community in each of the State’s ten Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) regions. The Town of Smithtown has applied for the grant in all seven of the years it has been administered. Previous grant winners include Westbury, Hicksville, Central Islip, Baldwin, Amityville, Riverhead, and Huntington Station.
“This is a historic moment for the hamlet of Kings Park and the people of Smithtown,” said Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park). “It is the culmination of years of community-based planning, working together with dedicated planning and environmental experts, local businesses, civic leaders, our great school districts, and our partners Government. I want to thank Governor Hochul for recognizing our unwavering commitment in building a vibrant, sustainable downtown together.”
The hamlet of North Bellport and the Village of Mineola each received $4.5 million in the form of New York State Moving Downtown Forward grants. According to the New York State website, the money will be used to “overcome inequities and strengthen the North Bellport community through the development of new affordable housing close and accessible to the LIRR station; creation of a mixed-use business district, which will include both fresh food and financial establishments; building façade improvements; and streetscape enhancements to improve pedestrian safety.”
The Town of Brookhaven states that with the “Governor’s commitment this year of $100 million each for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward, the State has now invested a combined total of $1 billion in both programs since their inception.”
“Last year I went to Melville, on behalf of the Town of Brookhaven, for a major revitalization project that we are undertaking for North Bellport,” said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico (R-Center Moriches). “I presented before an esteemed NYS Empire State Development (NY ESD) panel and I’m proud to report that we won that grant for a wonderful revitalization project diagonally across from the Bellport Train Station – over every other finalist. Our commitment to ensuring land use remains locally controlled, to our communities, and to the people of North Bellport is long-standing and steadfast. I believe the Governor has learned that local land use control is essential and I trust that she recognizes the Brookhaven Town Board is committed to community supported revitalization and has the legitimacy to lead on this issue. We thank her, our Secretary of State, and all those who saw the wisdom of investing in Brookhaven.”
Councilman Michael Loguercio (R-Ridge), who represents the Fourth Council District, which includes North Bellport, gave his thoughts.
“This is wonderful news and is a tremendous help in moving forward with our promise to revitalize the area, create jobs, provide affordable housing, generate revenue, and help the good folks of North Bellport to live and work close to home,” said Loguercio. “Thank you to Governor Hochul for her assistance, and we look forward to working together on many more projects in Brookhaven town, especially within the Fourth Council District.”
“I thank the Governor for her continued commitment to Suffolk County,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches). “This funding is vital to the ongoing downtown revitalization efforts in both Kings Park and North Bellport and will help create jobs and jumpstart local economic growth in our communities.”
Mineola Village Mayor Paul Pereira said: “The Village of Mineola has been leading the way in downtown revitalization, smart growth, and transit-oriented development for nearly two decades. Mineola has served as an example to other communities as to how you can both meet housing demands on Long Island while still protecting a suburban quality of life. This award not only validates the work that the Village has been doing for the last twenty years, but it also prepares us for the next twenty years. It will help the village better prepare its infrastructure for the continued growth and development of our downtown. The village is grateful to Governor Hochul and her staff, the Empire State development office, and all those that saw the Village of Mineola as a worthy recipient of this award. This award will be put to good use for the continued growth and development of Mineola’s downtown.”
“The Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs are proving to be incredibly transformational for so many New York communities looking to reinvigorate and energize their downtowns,” said New York Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez (D-Manhattan). “These awards will provide the jumpstart needed to drive their revitalization efforts forward and improve their communities economically and socially. The Department of State looks forward to working with you and seeing your progress.”
The New York Forward program “works in concert with the DRI to accelerate and expand the revitalization of smaller and rural downtowns throughout the State so that all communities can benefit from the State’s revitalization efforts, regardless of size, character, needs and challenges,” according to the state website. “Both programs are creating a critical mass of vibrant downtowns in every region of the State that is enhancing economic development, quality of life and socio-economic diversity.”
Once awarded, communities who receive the NY Forward grants are “supported by a professional planning consultant and team of State agency experts led by the Department of State to develop a Strategic Investment Plan that includes a slate of transformative, complementary, and readily implementable projects. NY Forward projects are appropriately scaled to the size of each community; projects may include building renovation and redevelopment, new construction or creation of new or improved public spaces and other projects that enhance specific cultural and historical qualities that define and distinguish the small-town charm that defines these municipalities.”
“The Strategic Investment Plans and projects are driven by a Local Planning Committee, which conducts extensive community outreach and engagement. The Department of State also provides expansive technical assistance and capacity-building webinars — featuring staff, experts and peers from DRI communities —which are geared toward supporting communities that may have less resources and capacity than larger, more urban communities.”
In attendance also were Smithtown Board members Thomas J. McCarthy (R-Nissequogue), Tom Lohmann (R-Smithtown), and Lisa Inzerillo (R-Kings Park), as well as New York Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez (D-Manhattan), Suffolk County Clerk Vincent Puleo (R-Nesconset), State Senator Monica Martinez (D-Brentwood), and Suffolk County Legislators Catherine Stark (R-Riverhead), Ann Welker (D-Southampton), Sam Gonzalez (D-Brentwood), Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga), Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), and Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station).
