| Board of Directors | |
Ruth Negrón-Gaines: President
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Kevin McDonald: Vice President
The Nature Conservancy
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Charlotte Biblow, Esq: Secretary
Farrell Fritz, P.C.
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Lauren Furst: Treasurer
Pathways to Wealth, LLC
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Albanese Organization Inc. --------------- Lennard Axinn Island Estates --------------- Robert Bernard Capital One Bank
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Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III
SUNY College at Old Westbury
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Dr. Miriam K. Deitsch
Farmingdale State College, State University of New York
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Pat Edwards
Citi Community Development
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Amy Hagedorn
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Jeff Kraut
North Shore - LIJ Health System
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Mitchell H. Pally
Long Island Builders Institute--------------- Ron Shiffman
Pratt Institute
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Long Island Brownfield Redevelopment and Food Access Mapping Update
Sustainable Long Island works with the Long Island Index
Over the past few months, Sustainable Long Island has worked with the Long Island Index (2013 Report: How the Long Island Rail Road Could Shape the Next Economy) to update features of their interactive online maps identifying brownfield sites and detailing the existing food retail environment across Long Island.
These maps are intended to bring attention and problem-solving ideas to the issue of brownfield redevelopment and food equity. Available on the Long Island Index's website, at www.longislandindexmaps.org, these maps show federal Superfund, NY State Superfund, and brownfield sites across Nassau and Suffolk Counties and locations where supermarkets and large grocery stores exist across Long Island, as well as where there are gaps in, or areas without, the availability of these stores.
The Brownfields map received new/updated data from NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and US Environmental Protection Agency including information on funding and mapped sites of Federal Superfund, State Superfund, and Brownfield sites across the region. The Food Access map received newer, more up-to-date data including seasonal information (not year-round) on Nassau and Suffolk Counties farmers' markets and farm stands. The information presented on these maps can be used to develop solutions suited to each community, from land use recommendations in community plans to project implementation.
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Exciting News: NY Cosmos Soccer Team Plans Belmont Park Stadium
Visible results coming to the gateway of Nassau County
The New York Cosmos, one of the world's best-known soccer franchises of the 1970s, proposed last week to construct a 25,000-seat, privately financed stadium at Belmont Park racetrack.
Plans for the $400 million project were submitted last week to New York's Empire State Development Corp., which will decide later this year on how to develop the 400-acre racetrack property in Elmont.
Thanks to funding from Senator Jack Martins, New York State completed a study of the south lot at Belmont and issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to explore development options. The State has been taking real steps to develop this lot and bring real economic development to Elmont. This exciting RFP submission can, in part, be thanks to the visioning process Sustainable Long Island helped facilitate in 2006 alongside Nassau County, the Town of Hempstead, Saccardi & Schiff, Inc. and the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development.
The tireless dedication of Sustainable Long Island's long-standing partner, the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development, was recognized and has resulted in tangible, real results for Elmont. Sustainable Long Island first helped form the Coalition to help guide the community planning process and ensure that the Elmont community had meaningful opportunities to participate in the planning process, as well as to carry out implementation of the community's vision.
Sandra Smith, Chairperson of the Coalition, stated: "The idea that Elmont can be home of the legendary New York Cosmos and that their plan includes a community park, shopping, restaurants and a hotel, is incredibly exciting... A privately financed (no taxpayer dollars) investment in Elmont of $400 million is something of which the Coalition can be truly proud."
The Cosmos' proposal, called Elmont Crossings, includes nine new restaurants, retail space, a 175-room hotel and a 4.3-acre public park. Team officials say it would create more than 500 construction jobs and over 3,000 full-time permanent jobs.
If approved, the team expects to break ground in 2014. Retail sites would open in 2015 and the team could begin play in the spring of 2016.
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Northwest Hicksville
Brownfield Opportunity Area Step I
Public Open House Workshop
Community members provide their input at Jan. 17 meeting | |
BOA Study Area
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On Thursday, January 17th The Town of Oyster Bay and the Northwest Hicksville Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Steering Committee co-hosted a Public Open House workshop facilitated by the project team, consisting of Sustainable Long Island, H2M, and Nelson, Pope & Voorhis.
This public workshop was designed to receive input from Northwest Hicksville residents, businesses, and other stakeholders on ideas for potential revitalization of underutilized, vacant, and other potential brownfield sites in the study area.
Attendees included representatives of:
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- Members of the Steering Committee including:
- The Town of Oyster Bay
- Nassau County
- The Hicksville Chamber of Commerce
- The Northwest Civic Association
- The Long Island Railroad
- Nassau County Police Department
- The Hicksville Water District
- Concerned and involved community members
After a brief presentation on the New York State BOA program, as well as the Northwest Hicksville BOA project, the project team guided participants through a series of interactive activities to identify what they value in a community and what they envision Northwest Hicksville to become.
Participants then broke into groups representing portions of the study area to examine more closely what assets, opportunities, and potential for revitalization exist. Groups discussed various concepts, such as land use, changes to roadways and pedestrian areas, housing, space for recreation and activities, beautification, and more.
Some of the preliminary ideas shared by the various groups (which will be revisited throughout the course of the project) included:
- Beautifying and/or improving facades and storefronts
- New space and/or opportunities for recreation and activities, especially for young people
- New types of buildings and uses to attract people, such as high tech educational facilities, collaborative live/work space for creative businesses, etc.
- Making West John Street more walkable
- Redesigning the area around the LIRR station to better accommodate buses and safety for people using multiple modes of transportation
Moving forward, the project team is compiling and analyzing all the feedback and preliminary ideas generated, which will be used to help create a draft vision, goals, and objectives for the study area. Please stay tuned for future updates about this project, including another future community workshop!
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The Seventh Annual
Sustainability Conference
Friday, April 12, 2013 at the Carlyle on the Green
It's that exciting time of year again! Hundreds of community members and activists, government officials, planners, builders, decision makers, and important stakeholders will gather for the Seventh Annual Sustainability Conference on Friday, April 12, 2013 at the Carlyle on the Green in Bethpage State Park. The conference will feature: - Keynote Speakers
- Interactive Workshops
- Sustainable Samplings Luncheon
- The 3rd Annual "Getting It Done" Awards
- The Hall of Exhibitors
Sponsorship, exhibitor, and advertising opportunities are available! Stay tuned to Sustainable Long Island's enewsletter, conference homepage, and social media accounts for more details on the agenda and day-of schedule in the coming weeks!
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Downtown Bethpage
Youth Visioning Exercise
Thurs. Jan. 31 at the John F.Kennedy Middle School
Bethpage Middle School and High School aged students will have the opportunity to get involved in the Downtown Bethpage Revitalization project by participating in a youth visioning exercise on January 31st. Taking place at the John F. Kennedy Middle School Cafeteria from 3:30-6:00pm, students will see what it is like to plan for their future; providing input and opinions on what young adults from Bethpage High School want to see in their community. Interested students should contact Sustainable Long Island at 516-873-0230 or at info@sustainableli.org. For more information of the Downtown Bethpage Revitalization project, visit the project website.
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USGBC-LI Brownfield to Greenfield Conference & Expo
Sustainable Long Island discusses authentic community engagement at recent, informative event
Sustainable Long Island recently attended the U.S. Green Building Council's (Long Island Chapter) Brownfield to Greenfield Conference and Expo where attendees learned how a brownfield becomes a greenfield with a panel of experts who face the challenge of Land, Legal, LEED and Development.
Amy Engel, Executive Director of Sustainable Long Island took part in a panel discussion alongside Shefali Sanghvi, Project Manager, PM Architecture; Michael J. Posillico, Executive VP, Posillico, Inc; and Eric Weinstock CA Rich Consultants, Inc. The discussion centered on components of redevelopment including environmental issues, remediation methods, and case studies.
Sustainable Long Island focused on authentic community engagement and how it is a key element of any successful land use, community revitalization, or development strategy. This engagement is done in a manner that is flexible so that each community's participation process meets local needs and builds on local practices.
It is crucial community members are involved and brought together to refine their visions, goals, and objectives for any potential brownfield redevelopment; exploring alternative uses, building consensus, and creating a community-driven redevelopment plan.
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New Sustainable Long Island
Intern and Volunteer Opportunities
Need for consulting services also posted
At Sustainable Long Island, we work every day to better Long Island for all residents, now and for future generations. We do it because we care and more importantly, because you care about the future of Long Island. We have worked across the region for over a fourteen years and now is your chance to make a difference.
Rather than sitting here reading about our organization, you can join us in our efforts by interning and volunteering Sustainable Long Island today. Every Long Islander can work with staff on sustainability issues, community planning, and revitalization projects; while experiencing all the different aspects of a non-profit organization.
Here are some of the just-announced, exciting opportunities:
Brownfield Opportunity and Economic Revitalization Intern
- This internship is geared to those interested in economic development of underutilized and potentially hazardous properties through community outreach and engagement techniques.
Food Policy Analyst Intern
- This internship is geared to those interested in the food system with a focus on policy work.
Farmers' Markets Analyst Intern
- This internship is geared to those interested in promoting the viability of farmers' markets with a focus on community outreach and engagement techniques.
Community Environmental Awareness Intern
- This internship is geared to those interested in environmental initiatives with a focus on equity, community outreach, and engagement techniques.
Post-Disaster Economic Recovery Intern
- This internship is geared to those interested in environmental initiatives with a focus on community outreach and engagement techniques, specifically targeting post-Hurricane Sandy economic recovery efforts.
Please send your resume and a brief cover letter, addressed to Janice Moynihan, Educational Program Coordinator, to jmoynihan@sustainableli.org. The subject line of the e-mail should state which internship in which you are interested.
Sustainable Long Island has also posted a Request for Proposals (RFP): An economic feasibility study for proposed mixed-use redevelopment.
Sustainable Long Island is providing technical services for Hempstead Rebirth, a faith-based not-for-profit community development corporation whose mission is to provide and assist the housing and economic development of low to moderate income individuals, families and small businesses through community revitalization and building strategic partnerships in the Village of Hempstead.
Sustainable Long Island is inviting qualified applicants to provide an economic feasibility study for the redevelopment of several properties currently managed by Hempstead Rebirth in line with the organization's stated mission. All proposals will be evaluated by Sustainable Long Island in conjunction with Hempstead Rebirth.
Read more about the RFP and how to submit an application on Sustainable Long Island's website.
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Loan Application Deadline Nears
U.S. Small Business Administration provides Sandy update
So far the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than $842 million in disaster assistance loans to thousands of homeowners, renters and businesses in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island who are recovering from Hurricane Sandy.
If you have a disaster loan application, you should complete and send it back as soon as possible.
The filing deadline for physical property damage disaster loan applications is now January 28th for New York.
Your insurance policy may not cover all the replacement, repair and rebuilding costs - and the disaster loan is available to cover the difference. You don't have to wait for an insurance settlement, though. If the insurance money covers damage that you've borrowed for, the overlap can be used pay down the loan.
If you think you need help filling out the application, or have questions about what documents are required to complete the process, here's you what you can do:
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Sustainable Communities Resource Center
Information that supports local and regional strategies
Increasingly, America's communities are developing strategies to help ensure their economic, environmental and social well-being. A sustainable community is an urban, rural, or suburban community that has a vibrant local economy, more housing and transportation choices, is closer to jobs, schools and shops, is more energy independent, and helps protect clean air and water.
Because every community is different and sustainability encompasses a range of needs and opportunities, there is no "one size fits all" model. Rather, sustainability uses a bottom-up approach and a range of strategies in response to the needs, assets, and visions that each community brings to the table. What all of these communities have in common are coordinated, well-thought-out approaches to leveraging investments that attract jobs, save taxpayer money, offer more energy-efficient housing and transportation choices and that balance economic and natural assets to meet both the current and future needs of all Americans.
The Sustainable Communities Resource Center is intended to provide the public with a comprehensive set of information that supports local and regional strategies, with a particular emphasis on sustainable housing and planning. The Resource Center provides ready access to best practices, cutting edge research, new reports and resources, and spotlights innovation in the field.
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Together we can build a more
sustainable Long Island
These challenging economic times have magnified the problems we Long Islanders face each and every day. With our leaders warning us of tougher times to come, thinking regionally and acting locally is urgent. It is in all of our best interests to stay engaged and do what we can together to build a more sustainable Long Island.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Sustainable Long Island that will help support our ongoing and future work within your Long Island communities; while helping advance economic development, environmental health, and social equity!
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Want community updates on various planning projects? Exciting tidbits on events, meetings, and engagements in your neighborhood? Exclusive information and the latest feedback about everything Long Island?Real-time updates on all the news you've read today? What are you waiting for? Join us, like us, follow us, and stay informed!
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The Board and Staff of Sustainable Long Island |
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