Amityville unveils 40 projects for $10M revitalization funds

Amityville has unveiled 40 proposed projects that are being considered for $10 million in revitalization money the village received from the state.

The village was awarded the money in January through the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative. An 18-member Local Planning Committee of leaders and residents must vote on which projects to pursue by July 7 and the projects then need to be approved by the state, said Mayor Dennis Siry. All projects must begin within two years.

The proposals, which are a mix of village, business and community-sponsored projects, must align with at least one of six goals: support connectivity, beautification and walkability; promote investments to the business environment; improve the Long Island Rail Road station and its links; use transit-oriented zoning to create new housing; help redevelopment of underutilized properties; and create spaces for arts, cultural and recreational activities.

“Some of the proposals you could toss out because they’re not in the boundaries, but other ones you say, OK, what kind of an impact is it going to have on the village, is it going to be something that’s going to turn the village around?” Siry said. “That’s how people have to look at it.”

The village submitted 13 proposals as part of its application for the funding, including a $4 million “complete streets” initiative involving the narrowing of Route 110, the closure of a portion of Greene Avenue to vehicles, and the installation of smart parking meters and free Wi-Fi downtown.

There are 11 proposals that involve renovations to downtown businesses and the addition of new features — including rooftop dining, a beer garden and an oyster bar — that range in DRI funding requests from $44,000 to $730,000. Other projects are sponsored by the village or residents and organizations and include LIRR area improvements and creating housing as well as a new park, an arts project, a community center and a Brazilian-Mexican eatery. Those projects ask for $50,000 to $2.5 million.

One proposal is from Lenore Brathwaite, commander of American Legion Hunter Squires Jackson Post #1218. Brathwaite aims to use $410,000 of the funding to renovate the post’s building on Dixon Avenue, which has fallen into such decay that it has been unusable for five years. She wants the building to showcase military history and also have eight housing units for service members, veterans and their families.

“The doors are closed, but we’re not,” Brathwaite said at a meeting last week to discuss the proposals. “This post has a rich history. These veterans from the community gave their land for that building.”

Amityville business owner James Giambrone said money should be spent on creating more cohesive store signage and projects that improve areas like the LIRR and library, but he balked at paying for business upgrades.

“We’re supposed to give money to businesses to try to renovate their buildings?” he said. “They should be using their own money.”

Siry said he understood that viewpoint, but the state was looking for improvements that would contribute to an overall impact on the downtown.

“There’s always that thought of why help out the private businesses,” Siry said. “But if it can end up being better for the village as part of a team effort then it’s worth it.”

The village is accepting feedback on the proposals until Saturday The feedback survey is at amityvilledri.com/proposals.

By Denise M. Bonilla

denise.bonilla@newsday.comdenisebonilla

Denise Bonilla has worked at Newsday since 2003 and covers the Town of Babylon, including the villages of Lindenhurst and Amityville.