AECOM

AECOM is a global provider of professional technical and management support to a broad range of markets.  Their purpose is to deliver solutions that enhance and sustain the world’s built, natural and social environments.  A Fortune 500 company, AECOM serves clients in more than 100 countries, and is a leader in all the key markets it serves.

They have worked on a number of projects on Long Island and have been staunch supporters of Smart Growth principles.

Become a Supporter of Smart Growth

Vision Long Island prides itself on having a broad range of supporters.  Become one today. A donation as small as $50 buys outreach materials to help a community build support for their vision. $500 sponsors an entire newsletter.  $5,000 makes you a lead sponsor of our Smart Growth Summit, buying 10 tickets and a key branding opportunity for your organization.
 
Your tax-deductible donation goes directly to Vision and lets you help strengthen efforts to put Smart Growth principles into action.

First Stimulus Projects Break Ground on Long Island

After months of anticipation, construction has finally begun on the first federally funded American Recovery and Reinvestment Act project on Long Island. The $1.7 million project will repair distressed concrete and aging sections of various State roadways across the Island. The contract was awarded to New York Paving Inc. of Old Bethpage. These "fix-it-first" projects will repair concrete pavement, including crack sealing and slab replacements.

Locations to receive work include: the Sagtikos State Parkway between the Southern State Parkway and the Long Island Expressway; Ocean Parkway between the Captree Toll Plaza and Zachs Bay; Meadowbrook State Parkway between Babylon Turnpike and State Route 24 (Hempstead Turnpike) and Southern State Parkway ramps at Meadowbrook State Parkway and Peninsula Boulevard. The project is set to be completed next spring.

Long Island is expected to receive about $154 million in ARRA funding for road and bridge projects, as well as $230 million this year for State highway and bridge upgrades.

Jay Walder Appointed to Lead MTA

On Tuesday, Governor David Paterson announced the appointment of Jay Walder to serve as the CEO and Chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Mr. Walder currently serves as the Global Leader of McKinsey & Co.'s Infrastructure Practice, where he specializes in the areas of large-scale capital investments, public-private partnerships, and urban transit.

No stranger to the MTA, he served as the organization's Executive Director from 1983 to 1995 and as its Chief Financial Officer from 1993 to 1995. He has also worked for Transport for London (TfL), where he worked to implement of the popular transit pass, the Oystercard.

“As Chief Executive Officer and Chair, Jay Walder will assume leadership of the MTA at one of the most significant junctures in its history. I am certain that with his breadth of experience and insight, Jay will shepherd the Authority into the 21st century, helping to achieve fiscal solvency as well as greater transparency and public accountability,” Governor Paterson said. “With Jay’s record of ingenuity and his familiarity with global transportation systems, including the MTA, he will bring new life to the organization to better serve all its customers.”

Mr. Walder takes over the MTA at a time of great financial difficulty, replacing former CEO/Executive Director Lee Sander and interim leader Helena Williams. We hope he brings transportation solutions to Long Island and the entire region.

Vision Long Island attended the press conference and we are looking forward to working with Chairman Walder. Specifically, we look forward to developing the MTA capital project that reflects Long Island's needs and improved services and operations for Long Island transit services.

HUD, DOT, EPA announce Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities

In March of this year, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) joined forces to design a plan for smart, sustainable growth in our country. This past June, the EPA announced that it too will partner with these two organizations to find ways to lower transportation costs, offer greater transportation options, and increase access to affordable housing, all without sacrificing environmental health.  This union will be known as the HUD-DOT-EPA Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities. The powerful partnership will hopefully resolve the housing, transportation, and climate change issues the US has been facing and successfully further the principles of sustainable development.

The EPA's involvement suggests that, for the first time, environmental concerns will be driven closer to the forefront of planning decisions regarding national housing and transportation issues. This union looks very promising and serves as further proof that the Obama administration is making a healthy push toward sustainable development.

The principles of the HUD-DOT-EPA Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities, as listed by the EPA, include: providing more transportation choices; promoting equitable, affordable housing; increasing economic competitiveness; supporting existing communities; leveraging federal investment; and valuing communities and neighborhoods.

Vision Long Island is excited about this development, as we have partnered closely with the EPA Smart Growth Network since our acceptance in 1997. The promise of close collaboration between multiple government agencies was seen as a distant goal and it is a pleasant surprise to see these developments.

Long Island Solar Park Holds Open House

This past February, Governor Paterson announced plans for the largest solar power plant in New York history. The project is projected to increase the State’s total solar energy production threefold.

The solar project is in harmony with the Governor’s “45 by 15” program, which establishes the goal for New York to meet 45% of its electricity needs by means of improved energy efficiency and renewable sources by 2015.

BP Solar has been contracted to build a separate block of solar generators to power parts of BNL and is proposing two other large-scale commercial solar photovoltaic projects: “BNL Area 1” (a project sized at 18.7 MW) and “BNL Area 2” (a project sized at 18.2 MW).

In addition to the 36.9 MW, BP Solar will work independently with BNL to build more solar panels to make the Laboratory more energy efficient and independent. They also intend to partner with BNL to develop a solar photovoltaic R&D facility that will be used for research, education and outreach.

Long Island Power Authority’s solar project aims to support the recommendations for solar power from Governor Paterson’s Renewable Energy Task Force; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; reduce the consumption of fossil fuels; create clean energy jobs and advance renewable technologies; and utilize private and public non-residential roofs and/or other appropriate spaces for solar generating facilities.

The Long Island Solar Park held their open house at the Mt. Sinai Heritage Center on Tuesday, July 14th. Residents, elected officials, and interested stakeholders were able to review the proposed project and get educated about the potential for large scale solar on Long Island.

For more information on this project, contact LIPA or BP Solar.

Towns Consider Objecting Heartland Proposal

The grandiosity of the proposed Heartland Square Development has caused concern.  Officials are worried about an unsustainable increase in traffic.  In response, both Smithtown and the Town of Huntington are considering to formally object to the development.

As municipalities within 500 feet of the Heartland project, Smithtown and Huntington have the right to submit such an objection.  But both towns agree that before making a decision, they need more information.  Huntington town spokesman A.J. Carter told the press that a consultant has been hired to look at the project and its traffic implications. 
 
Heartland developer Gerald Wolkoff contests the traffic allegations.  He believes Heartland, with more than a million square feet of retail, 4.2 million square feet of office space, and 9,000 housing units, will be a self-contained development.  Residents will work, live, and shop within Heartland, thus reducing the need for a car.  But Smithtown planning director Frank DeRubeis says there’s no way to tell if that would be the case.

Wolkoff insists that his vision for a self-contained town has worked in the past, leaving little need for transportation outside of the development.  And in response to Smithtown and Huntington’s possible objection, he says “They just don’t have the vision”. 

Smithtown and Huntington have 20 days since being formally notified of the development to object.  If they submit an objection, a public hearing will be held, and the county’s planning commission will have to approve the project by a two-thirds vote.  Smithtown has until July 28 to file an objection.

Historic Booker T. Washington House in Danger

The house where Booker T. Washington spent the last five summers of his life is in danger due to erosion of the bluff on which it sits.  Both The Times of Northport & East Northport and the Long Island Press are reporting that the shingle-style house Washington purchased in 1911 is facing possible demolition.  The owner of the property is looking to demolish the house as a part of a large slope stabilization project.  The bluff on which the house sits overlooking Long Island Sound in Northport is eroding, partly due to runoff from the neighboring Indian Hills golf course.  The owner has already spent $100,000 in engineering studies and on a new roof. The slope stabilization measures are estimated to cost between $600,000 and $1.1 million and the owner is looking to demolish or donate the house to the Town, though they are not willing to pay for its relocation.

The house was designated as a historic structure in 2005 and the owner is going before the Town of Huntington’s Historic Preservation Commission to try to have its historic status revoked.  Irene Moore, chair of the town’s African American Historic Designation Council says that preservation of the home is vital.  “He’s really a larger figure than just Huntington; he’s known not only as a prominent resident in Huntington but he’s known in the United States and abroad.”  Washington taught Sunday school at the Bethel AME church in Huntington, spoke at other local institutions, and donated proceeds from his speeches to the Huntington Sewing and Trade School which now houses the Huntington Historic Society.  Thelma Jackson-Abidally, author of “African Americans in Northport: An Untold Story,” who almost singlehandedly saved the house several years ago has started a group “Save the Booker T. Washington House.”

New Rochelle Implements Mandatory Bike Racks

New Rochelle, in southern Westchester County, has implemented a new regulation that requires bike racks to be included in new buildings. Any new commercial or residential building will require one bicycle parking space for every 10 motor vehicle spaces. If developers do not install the bike racks, they must pay into a "Bicycle Rack Fund" that will install them elsewhere--at $300 per required space. Mayor Noam Bramson said, "This is one of several steps New Rochelle has taken and hopes to take in order to become more bicycle-friendly and provide residents with transportation options that promote public health, enhance recreation, and reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions."

Residents strongly favored the legislation at a public hearing for the measure on June 16. Shortly after the New Rochelle City Council voted and adopted the resolution.

Two Weeks Left in Heartland Comments Period

Get your comments in now on the DGEIS for the Heartland Town Square proposal for the Pilgrim State property, as the public comment period will close on July 28th. Heartland Town Square is proposed to be "a unique mixed-use development of approximately 9,130 residential units, 105,000 square feet of civic space, 1,030,000 square feet of retail space and 4,150,000 square feet of office space to be built over a 15-year period." The site is in Brentwood where the Long Island Expressway meets the Sagtikos State Parkway.

A public hearing for the project was held in May.

Comments can be mailed to Islip Town Hall at 655 Main Street, Islip, NY 11751. 

Read the DGEIS here and Vision's testimony here.

The House Transportation Bill Needs Your Help! Call your representative's office today!

Representative James Oberstar, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, just released the long-anticipated first draft of the Surface Transportation authorization bill to replace the expiring SAFETEA-LU legislation. The bill is a good start, but as it stands today, it leaves out a few things, including something crucial: Clear national performance targets. Adjacent to the Surface Transportation Bill, Congressman Carnahan and others have released the National Transportation Objectives Act of 2009, which defines a set of objectives and performance targets for the nation's transportation future.

With Congress moving quickly on transportation, we must go the extra mile today to make sure that Congress gets the message. Please call your federal representative's office right now. It will make a real difference, and it only takes about one minute:

1. Call the Congressional Switchboard at 202-224-3121, and ask to speak to your representative's office.

2. Tell the staff member answering the phone where you are calling from and that you'd like to urge the representative to support the National Transportation Objectives Act of 2009 (H.R. 2724). You can add that you want to make sure the billions spent on transportation help us cut down on emissions, give us real energy security, and provide you with more affordable options for getting from A to B.

3. After you hang up, the Transportation for America campaign wants to know that you made the call. Please fill out this form to help the group track how many members of Congress have been reached.

What will $450 billion in transportation spending achieve? Without over-arching goals and targets -- such as reductions of vehicles miles traveled, CO2, and household transportation costs -- there's no way to be sure billions of dollars in transportation spending will truly deliver clean, affordable and smart transportation. Oberstar's bill includes a lot of what Smart Growth supporters have been pushing for, but as it stands today, it still falls short. We can do better. We can't keep pouring tax dollars into the same flawed transportation system that leaves us stuck without options. Let's tell Congress to make transportation funding smart, clean, and accountable starting TODAY.

Sustainability Institute Presents a Cocktail Reception on July 23

On Thursday, July 23rd from 5:30-7:30pm, join the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College for a Cocktail Reception. President of Molloy College Drew Bogner and the Sustainability Institute's Neal Lewis will host the reception, taking place at the Anselma reception room at Molloy's Rockville Centre campus. Molloy College has proudly launched The Sustainability Institute, Long Island's first-ever venture combining sustainability education and policy analysis within an academic institution. This is The Sustainability Institute's first event, so come out and support!

Tickets are $75, with special rates available for not-for-profits. To register by the July 16th deadline, email Leigh at lmusarra@si.molloy.edu, call (516) 678-5000 x7562, or simply register online.

East End GreenFest August 1st-2nd

The East End GreenFest will take place on August 1st and 2nd, an outdoor festival that celebrates the latest green solutions to help people live in a better, healthier world. The festival will take place that Saturday and Sunday from 10am-6pm at the Strawberry Fields Fairground in Mattituck. 

There are ten live bands on a solar powered stage, local wineries, performers, entertaining and informative speakers, kid’s activities and hands-on demonstrations.   Bring a chair, learn, and enjoy the music, eat healthy foods, and shop for all-natural and sustainable products.  See exhibits on alternative energy, organic and natural products, natural health and beauty, green building, green living, healthy food and beverages, green kids, green transportation, earth friendly fashion, waste reduction, and non-profit associations.  The cost is $3 for adults and children 12 and under are free.

If you are interested in exhibiting or sponsoring the GreenFest, there are a limited number of spots left.  For more information on the festival visit eastendgreenfest.com, call 631-734-5894, or email info@eastendgreenfest.com.

ERASE Racism Presents "Invisibility: A Case Study of Latinos on Long Island" on August 12

On Wednesday, August 12th from 5:30-8pm, ERASE Racism presents the next Race & Racism Dialogue in its series on Invisibility. "A Case Study of Latinos on Long Island" will take place at the Patchogue Theatre and will feature "Broken Identities." The program will be moderated by Margarita Espada, Artistic Director of Teatro Experimental Yerbabruja and Luis Valenzuela, President of Long Island Immigrant Alliance. The event's hosts will be Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri and ERASE Racism's President Elaine Gross. There is no cost for the event and a light supper will be provided. Register to attend on their website or contact Rosemarie Walker at (516) 921-4863 or rosemarie@eraseracismny.org.

The 2009 Race & Racism Dialogues are focused on the theme “Invisibility,” which connotes lack of value, worth or consideration. Through the lives and experiences of African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans, this dialogue series is designed to explore how people, of different racial or ethnic backgrounds, living on Long Island, have experienced inequality. It looks at how they have been impacted by institutional policies that promote exclusion and can obscure or obliterate the histories of these people.

Small Business & Non-profit financing nOW aVAILABLE FROM lidc AND gREATER ny dEVELOPMENT cO.

The Long Island Development Corporation and the Greater New York Development Co. provide low down payment, low fixed-rate long term second mortgages (behind banks and other lenders) for small businesses and nonprofits acquiring, renovating, or constructing their own facilities throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. 

The US Small Business Administration's (SBA) 504 Certified Development Company loan program now allows businesses to refinance existing debt, expand, and create new jobs. SBA 504 is a second mortgage loan for capital projects - to help businesses acquire, construct or renovate their facilities. Small businesses can restructure eligible debt to help improve their cash flow which, in turn, will enhance their viability and support growth and job creation. In an SBA 504 loan, the financing is split between the borrower, a conventional lender (such as a bank), and a nonprofit community development company, such as LIDC/GNYDC. 

GNYDC/LIDC's loan finances up to 40% of the total project cost (including soft costs), usually maxed at $1.5 million. SBA 504 can go up to $2 million for women, minority, veteran owned businesses, exporters, businesses in empire zones, and, now, projects with LEED or Green Building Certification. The maximum is $4 million for manufacturers and, now, for any business whose project will reduce energy consumption by 10% or uses significant renewable energy sources. While most projects require the borrower to retain or create jobs, when these new goals are accomplished, no job creation/retention is required.

For more information, visit lidc.org or gnydc.org or call (866)-433-5432.

Riverhead Blues Festival

Come out to the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall and the surrounding downtown area this weekend for the annual Riverhead Blues Festival. A weekend's worth of blues, food, and good times kicks off July 18th and continues on the 19th, both days from 11am-11pm, with fireworks closing out the event on Sunday night. Performers include Kim Simmonds & the Savoy Brown Blues Band, Nicole Hart, Little Toby Walker, Rage & Beyond, and many others.

Tickets are $10 to $15. The Music Hall is located at 18 Peconic Ave., off East Main Street in downtown Riverhead. For more information, including a schedule of performances, visit their website.

Summer Concert Special: Get outside this summer!

Last week, we brought you a sampling of summer farmers markets in Long Island downtowns. We already highlighted the Riverhead Blues Festival, but check out this list of some other exciting local outdoor summer concerts, bring your friends and family, and have fun:

Bethpage:
- Bethpage Community Park, Stewart Ave:
July 20, 8:00 - Dr. K's Motown Revue

Copiague:
- Tanner Park, Kerrigan Road (all free)
July 17, 23, 31, August 7, 14; 7:30 - Little Anthony & The Imperials, Los Lobos, Bo Bice, Dennis DeYoung: The Music of Styx, Gary U.S. Bonds

Farmingdale:
- Ellsworth W. Allen Town Park, Motor Avenue:
July 27, 8:00 - Al Martino

Huntington:
- Heckscher Park, Main Street and Prime Ave:
Everyday except Mondays - Summer Arts Festival

Massapequa:
- John J. Burns Town Park, Merrick Road:
July 18, 22, 25, 26, 28, August 1, 4, 8, 8:00 - Tony Orlando, Lou Gramm, Brenda Lee, Jack Jones, The Fifth Dimension ft. Florence Larue, David Cassidy, Andy Cooney/Ronan Tynan, Doo Wop Extravaganza
- Tobay Beach:
July 21, 8:00, Al Jardine's Endless Summer Band

Northport:
- Village Park at the Harbor, Main Street (all free)
July 17, 24, 31, August 7, 9, 14, 21, 28, September 4; 7:00 - Happenings on Main Street
July 23, 30; 8:30 - Northport Community Band
August 6, 13, 20, 27; 8:00 - Summerfest Concerts

Oyster Bay:
-Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park and Beach, Larabee Avenue:
July 24, August 7; 8:00 - The Fireflies, Kenny Vance and the Planotones; 70s Disco Night

Riverhead:
- East End Arts & Humanities Council Lawn, 133 East Main Street:
July 31 (7:30), August 7, 14, 21; 7:00 - Riverhead Summer Concert Series (free)

Rocky Point:
- St. Anthony's of Padua Church parking lot, 614 Rt. 25A (all free):
July 28, August 11, 25; 8:00 - The Driftwoods (Beach Boys tribute band); Risky Business; Big Shot (Billy Joel tribute)  

Smithtown:
- Hoyt Farm, New Highway in Commack (free):
July 19, 26, 31, August 2, 9, 16, 23; 7pm - Family Concert Series
- Smithtown Library at 1 North Country Road:
July 21; 8:00 - Smithtown Community Band
July 23, 30, August 6, 13; 8:00 - Family Summer Concert Series: Rag Doll: Four Seasons, Rod Stewart Show: Rick Larrimore, Dr. K's Motown Revue, Beatles Show: Strawberry Fields

West Hempstead:
- Hall's Pond Park, Nassau Boulevard and Hempstead Ave:
Sunday July 26, 6:30-8:30pm- Featuring The North Shore Pops Concert Band
Sunday August 9, 6:30-8:30pm - Featuring band The New York Connection

"For too long, federal policy has actually encouraged sprawl and congestion and pollution, rather than quality public transportation and smart, sustainable development." - President Barack Obama

SMART GROWTH NEWS

Newsletter Editor: Michelle Dutchen, Director of Communications
Contributors: Eric Alexander, Executive Director; Tara Klein, Planning Coordinator;
Tawaun Weber, Director of Special Projects; Elissa Ward, Director of Sustainability; Juliana Roberts Dubovsky, Planning Consultant

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:
24 Woodbine Ave. Suite One Northport, NY 11768. Phone: (631) 261-0242. Fax: (631) 754-4452.
Email: info@visionlongisland.org