|
|
Smart Growth Awards Coming June 12th: Register Today!
Registration forms can be mailed to our office at 24 Woodbine Ave., Suite One, Northport, NY 11768, sent by fax to 631-754-4452, or emailed to info@visionlongisland.org. Sponsorship packages are available. Reserve your seats today. Click here for the registration form. Be sure to stay tuned next week when we reveal this year's honorees!
|
Last year, over 500 people came out to honor projects from across the Island in fields such as mixed-use development, green building, and regional leadership. See more on last year's event 
|
Be a Smart Growth News or Smart Talk Visionary
Archives of Smart Talk and Smart Growth News Weekly are available on our website. For more information on this chance to be at the forefront of Long Island’s Smart Growth Movement, call Vision Long Island, 631-261-0242 or email info@visionlongisland.org. |
We invite you to strengthen and sustain VISION's e-news publications by becoming a Smart Talk Visionary. For $500, you can sponsor Smart Growth News, our weekly publication. In recognition, your firm’s logo and a short description of your work will be featured in every issue. For $1,000, your organization can sponsor Smart Talk. This monthly news resource will include your firm’s logo and feature revolving articles on the organizations helping inform Long Island.|
Montauk Highway Sewers ADvance
This is a decisive victory for advocates of the Montauk Highway revitalization efforts as well as groups who sought to protect the Forge River. According to Long Island Business News' BizBlog, Suffolk Leg. Kate Browning said, "the bill will allow the county to include sewer lines in the plans, so our business district along Montauk Highway can begin to thrive, and also so these businesses will stop contributing to problems in the Forge River.” She continued, "it’s fiscally responsible to lay the sewer lines now while the road is open for the reconstruction... I am planning for the future of this community, which is something that wasn’t done in the past here. It makes sense for the taxpayers and it falls in line with the creation of a sewer district." |
On Tuesday, the Suffolk County Legislature's Public Works and Transportation Committee voted to introduce a $3 million sewer infrastructure bill to the full Legislature on April 29th. The money would be transferred to the build sewers on the stretch of Montauk Highway in Mastic and Shirley. If the legislature approves the bill, construction could start as early as next spring.|
Anti-Homelessness Strategies Proposed
While Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, county officials, and advocates are coming together to work on a 10-year plan to end homelessness, there are actions that can be taken now to address this issue. Part of this equation includes changing our preconceived notions of “affordable housing” and the stereotypes that come with it. According to the article, a recent study by the Empire Justice Center, a nonprofit advocacy group, found that seven of the 10 most endangered communities in the state were right here on Long Island. We all know that on Long Island, “one major cause of homelessness is the lack of affordable housing, whether rent or ownership.” According to the Long Island Index 2007 Report, only 17% of the housing units on Long Island are rentals, a much lower percentage than other areas of the country or other neighboring counties—Westchester is 38%, Rockland County is 26%, Bergen County, NJ is 32%. Like the rest of Long Island’s housing market, high rents are increasingly more common. One-third of rental units cost $1,500 per month or more in 2005, up from only 11% five years prior. The Office of the State Comptroller describes Nassau County as having the second-highest rents in the State (behind Westchester County), and the 14th highest in the U.S. The housing market has yet to meet this demand for rentals and affordable housing options, but there are opportunities in front of us. Long Island’s downtowns need housing to bring pedestrians, activity, and commerce back to Main Street. Creating affordable housing stock would attract a range of residents- from seniors who can no longer afford their single-family home to first-time home buyers and our young professionals who must choose between living with their parents or leaving Long Island. In addition, urging our representatives in the Senate and Assembly to support legislation like the Downstate Suburban Workforce Housing for Economic Stability Act and DiNapoli and Balboni’s “inclusionary zoning” bill are essential to aiding our neighbors and the region. Whatever measures can be taken to solve this crisis should be taken, sooner rather than later. An interesting discussion followed the publication of this Op-Ed and can be read here. Poverty in Suburbia..."The Next Slum"?
According to Mr. Leinberger’s article, “the story of vacant suburban homes and declining suburban neighborhoods did not begin with the crisis, and will not end with it. A structural change is under way in the housing market—a major shift in the way many Americans want to live and work. Its ultimate impact on the suburbs, and the cities, will be profound.” This structural trend is a combination of changing demographics in America, increasing preferences for healthier environments and lifestyles, and the rising financial and environmental costs of the suburban lifestyle. Arthur C. Nelson, Director of the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech, has looked carefully at trends in American demographics, construction, house prices, and consumer preferences. The article states that Mr. Nelson forecasted a likely surplus of 22 million large-lot homes (houses built on a sixth of an acre or more) by 2025—that’s roughly 40 percent of the large-lot homes in existence today. So what does this mean for Long Island? It means that without alternatives to the traditional suburban pattern, the “suburbia” as we know it could decline into poverty and crime if it does not adjust to changing trends and consumer preferences. What Leinberger calls “walkable urbanism,” is familiar on LI, but we’ve given it a different name. It is visible in our downtowns and compact communities that offer excitement, diversity, a range of housing options, and more lifestyle choices. Real-estate has begun to pick up on this change around the country, with “infill” development, “lifestyle centers” like Reston Town Center, located between Virginia’s Dulles International Airport and Washington, D.C. are national examples. Long Island must do the same and move towards this economically, environmentally and physically healthier, if it hopes to avoid this fate. Dan Burden’s Waking Walk in London
Vision Long Island brought Dan to Long Island in 1998. Since then, he has worked with VISION on 6 design charrettes and toward 13 of our communities. We always look forward to his journey to make communities more walkable and healthy for their residents. Read Mr. Burden’s complete and captivating article here. |
On April 13th, Newsday featured an Op-Ed entitled, “
The Atlantic recently published an article by Christopher B. Leinberger, a notable land-use strategist and developer, entitled
He offers London as the global inspiration, innovator and leader in solving the forthcoming challenges that cities face. “With the challenges we all face in building a new world where we learn to harness the best ideas for new buildings, new streets, using new town making platforms, London gives us a start.”|
Downstate Suburban Workforce Act
Supporting documentation can be found here, along with sample letters here and here that can be modified and sent out. |
VISION urges you to get out your pens and take action to join a letter writing campaign in support of the Downstate Suburban Workforce Act. The Downstate Act (which differs somewhat from the LI Workforce Housing Act) supports a tiered income structure targeted from 80% below median to 120% above median, includes support for development of rental units, encourages higher density developments, and establishes a one-time payment for planning and developing Housing Opportunity Areas.
Canvas Magazine Holds Earth Day Events
The exhibit, curated for Canvas by Cherie Via of Ripe Art Gallery in Greenlawn, New York, is one of many efforts throughout the year by Canvas Magazine to bring attention to the sustainable issues facing Long Island. An Artists Reception for the Exhibit will be held Saturday, April 26, 5-8pm, when visitors can meet many of artists and learn first-hand what their inspiration was for their work and enjoy refreshments served compliments of Whole Foods. For more information about the canvas Gallery and event, call: 631-351-6480 MobiliZed Interfaith Coalition Against Hunger To Host "Ending Poverty on Long Island: An Action Plan" Conference on April 28th
Space is limited, so you must pre-register by April 18 to attend. $20 registration fee includes lunch and checks should be made payable to Catholic Charities. They will take e–mail registrations to robinson.mary@catholiccharities.cc by April 18th with payment at the door for any group that can’t make the April 18th mail deadline. Mail can be sent to Parish Social Ministry at Catholic Charities, 90 Cherry Lane, Hicksville, NY 11801. When emailing registration information, please include first, second, and third choices for workshops, names of attendees, congregation/agency affiliation, address, phone, fax, and email. For more details on the event, please contact: robinson.mary@catholiccharities.cc. Green Building, Design, and Development Panel at Southampton Expo to Take Place May 2nd-4th
LEED AP Sustainable Design Leader and member of the Congress for the New Urbanism, Charles Bergen, of WDG Architecture PLLC Washington, DC, will moderate a panel focusing on green building on Sunday, the 4th from 12pm-2:30pm. The Residential Green Building, Design, and Development panel will also feature Chris Earley PE with Greening Urban, Rick Stott with Flynn and Stott, and Ari Meisel with LEED Pro LLC,and will cover the basic principals of green building and sustainable site design, the costs and benefits of green building and green real estate development, as well as the current green building rating systems. Each panel participant will present their recent work in green building, development, and design before opening up the floor to questions. The Elks Lodge is located at 605 County Rd. 39 in Southampton. |
Canvas Magazine will be holding its first Eco Art Exhibit in honor of Earth Day at their gallery at 51 Gibson Ave in Huntington, from April 22 through June 14. Numerous Long Island Artists will be showing their unique works that employ the use of materials such as recycled stacking pallets, automotive belts, plastics, metals, and many others. The goal of the exhibit is to showcase art and artists who understand the impact we have on our environment. By using art as a format to express the need for change, it also raises environmental awareness on Long Island. "This is very much in-line with the goals and values of Canvas — a commitment to local art and artists, as well as sustainable living. It also allows us to bring attention to two causes very important to us and Long Island," said Canvas Publisher Tom Pellicane.
On Monday, April 28th, Adelphi University will be hosting a conference on “Ending Poverty on Long Island: An Action Plan.” Organized by the Mobilized Interfaith Coalition Against Hunger (MICAH), the conference features a range of speakers invested in changing the systems of poverty on Long Island. Workshops include “Overcoming Racial and Class Inequities in Public Schools,” moderated by Elaine Gross of ERASE Racism, “Funding the Departments of Social Services for Success,” moderated by Dr. Richard Koubek of Catholic Charities, “Funding Child Care for Quality Services,” moderated by Dana Friedman of the Early Years Institute, “Securing Decent Pay for Decent Work,” moderated by Professor Trudy Goldberg of Adelphi University, “Organizing Your Community to Create Affordable Housing,” moderated by Michael White of the LI Regional Planning Board, “Ensuring Health Care for Poor Long Islanders,” moderated by Professor Suzanne Michael of Adelphi University, “Expanding Public Transportation for Working Long Islanders,” moderated by Neal Lewis of Neighborhood Network, and “Social Work for Social Justice,” moderated by Professor Carol Ann Daniel of Adelphi University. Eric Alexander, Executive Director of Vision Long Island, will speak in the closing plenary/call to action.
The Southampton Elks Lodge will host the 4th annual Hamptons Home and Garden Expo on May 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. 
Belmont State Fair Opens
For more information, visit their website or call 718-408-1654. Visit Long Island's East End Vineyards
For a weekend away, a company called Vine Time offers a 3-day getaway package with bed & breakfast accommodations, wine and cheese platters, a walk in the vines, tours, tastings, dinners, free time, and transportation. For more information, call 631-765-1234. |
After some legal issues delayed its opening, the Belmont State Fair starts this weekend and runs through the end of the month. Enjoy the beautiful spring weather with the whole family at the Belmont Park Raceway on Hempstead Turnpike. The fair has rides, shows, live music, food, and games and is open from 6:00-10:00pm Fridays and 1:00-10:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is $6 if you are over 32 inches tall (free for children who are under) and parking is $5.
If you are looking to spend some time away from the kids and still want to spend time outdoors, why not head out at one of Long Island's East End Vineyards. 
We thought we would close this week with some humor. This story comes to us from Texas EDGE Magazine, but hits close to home.
Hey, at least he was walking! |
SMART GROWTH NEWS Newsletter Editor: Michelle Dutchen, Communications Director We strive to provide continued quality publications such as this each week. If you are interested in becoming a newsletter or news blast sponsor, please call the office at 631-261-0242 for rates and opportunities. If you have any news or events that you would like to add to our newsletter, submit them to info@visionlongisland.org for consideration.
For more information about Vision Long Island, visit http://www.visionlongisland.org or contact us at: |
