Beatty Harvey Coco Architects

Founded in 1880, Beatty, Harvey, Coco Architects has provided design services to a wide range of clients for over 125 years. Today, under the direction of Todd Harvey and Salvatore Coco, the multi-disciplined, full-service firm continues to provide highly personal service to its prestigious list of clients. Our firm's partners are actively involved in every aspect of each project. They are members of the US Green Building Council and currently have sustainable projects in the works for East Hampton High School, the Town of Southampton Flanders Nutritional Center, and Westhampton Town Hall.

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.

Eight Long Island Towns collaborate to request energy Stimulus funds

In an encouraging show of solidarity, eight Long Island Towns have collaborated to announce that they will be requesting stimulus funds from the US Department of Energy. The towns include Babylon, Brookhaven, Huntington, Islip, Smithtown, Southampton, North Hempstead, and Oyster Bay. According to a press release, the Community Development Corp. of LI is acting as the lead applicant and grant administrator, LIPA will provide some of the efficiency work, and the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College will act as a key strategic partner.

The towns will request funds from $454 million that is available for Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs and the "Retrofit Ramp-up"grant. The amount requested is to be determined, but the Department of Energy will provide 8-20 grants of $5 million to $75 million, totaling $390 million. According to Thursday's Newsday, "Such programs allow homeowners to retrofit their homes to make them more energy efficient, paying off the cost over time through their property tax bill." An example, which the towns will likely emulate, is Babylon's Long Island Green Homes program; Brookhaven recently implemented a similar program. The collaboration comes from a recommendation by the Department of Energy to encourage large-scale projects and innovative partnerships.

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said, “This is an historic opportunity for Long Island. The Green Homes initiative was born right here on Long Island and there's no better place for this type of investment."

Sewage Stinks -- and it's time to do something about it

"In the last three years alone, more than 9,400 of the nation’s 25,000 sewage systems — including those in major cities — have reported violating the law by dumping untreated or partly treated human waste, chemicals and other hazardous materials into rivers and lakes and elsewhere."

Vision often talks about the need for sewer infrastructure funding. Suffolk County is 70% unsewered, limiting downtown growth. Nassau County is in serious need of infrastructure repairs. An article in the NY Times on November 22nd, "As Sewers Fill, Waste Poisons Waterways," exposes the details of what is truly a desperately deteriorating issue nationwide. 

Every time it rains hard, a Brooklyn sewage treatment plant overfills and must close its intake gates, causing something pretty disgusting to be forced out into New York's waterways. Laura Serrano of Bay Shore said her home was damaged in 2005 by a sewer overflow: “'After the storm, the sewage flowed down the street faster than we could move out of the way and filled my house with over a foot of muck.' ... Ms. Serrano, who says she contracted viral meningitis because of exposure to the sewage, has filed suit against Suffolk County, which operates the sewer system. The county’s lawyer disputes responsibility for the damage and injuries. 'I had to move out, and no one will buy my house because the sewage was absorbed into the walls,' Ms. Serrano said. 'I can still smell it sometimes.'"

Sewage overflow violates laws and is incredibly dangerous toward human health, but due to a lack of capacity (and funding) there is no current way around this mess, literally. An analysis by the NY Times on the issue shows that only one in five sewage systems that broke the law this way were ever fined or sanctioned by state or federal regulators. The article continues, "As cities have grown rapidly across the nation, many have neglected infrastructure projects and paved over green spaces that once absorbed rainwater. That has contributed to sewage backups into more than 400,000 basements and spills into thousands of streets, according to data collected by state and federal officials."

According to Craig Michaels of Riverkeeper, and environmental advocacy group, "The [Environmental Protection Agency] would rather look the other way than crack down on cities, since punishing municipalities can cause political problems...But without enforcement and fines, this problem will never end." Plant operators say fines would take away from their already-strained budgets. 

Moving forward, the article suggests that municipalities continue to encourage "sewer-friendly development," in the public and private sector: "New York, for instance, has instituted zoning laws requiring new parking lots to include landscaped areas to absorb rainwater, established a tax credit for roofs with absorbent vegetation and begun to use millions of dollars for environmentally friendly infrastructure projects." The best solution, say many lawmakers and environmentalists, is large-scale new spending on sewer systems that have been ignored for decades. The EPA estimates that up to $400 billion is needed over the next decade to fix the nation's sewer infrastructure. $6 billion was provided in the federal stimulus package. 

There's a long way to go, and it's about time we pay attention.

Read the full article here.

Gated Communities highlighted in the NY Times

In the November 13th edition of the New York Times, Marcelle Fischler covered the pros and cons of gated communities in Long Island and beyond in the article "The View Inside the Gates." The pro argument essentially comes from families who want their children to grow up in a safe, quiet place with other children nearby to play with. Stephen Melman of the National Association of Home Builders cited a 2007 consumer preference survey on "the home of the future:" up to 25% of 2,400 square foot homes will be behind gates, while 54% of homes 3,000 square feet or more may be gated.

From experience, however, many of these neighborhoods are a little too quiet and do not offer the vibrant play scene for children that they are fabled to provide. Many books have been written about the dark secrets of gated communities and cul-de-sacs. For example, Suburban Nation suggests that children who grow up in these economically segregated communities are missing out on heterogeneity, which can lead to further segregation and racist attitudes down the road. More tangibly, the market segment that Long Island should be looking at in order to sustain its economic base is young people, the majority of whom prefer to live in dense, walkable communities. From a Smart Growth perspective, gates certainly are not the way to build. The article quoted Vision's Eric Alexander, as well as Vision Board Member Steven Krieger, who put it more simply:

Smart-growth advocates and developers, perhaps unsurprisingly, are not big fans. Eric Alexander, the executive director of Vision Long Island, described gated communities as “isolated in a way that’s so obvious” and “the antithesis of smart growth.”

He acknowledged that “the desire for community and connectivity with your neighbors” was praiseworthy, but asserted that the gated lifestyle “speaks to the failure of creating neighborhoods where people can feel safe and secure.” To his way of thinking, the goal should be to “make the public space and open streets a community.”

Nor are all developers in love with the fortress idea. Steven Krieger, a principal with Engel Burman, developer of the 53 homes at the Meadows at West Hempstead, described the new subdivision as “an enclave by itself without being gated.”

“When you are in the middle of a neighborhood like we have in West Hempstead, to separate yourselves would be a negative.”

In a way, gated communities and Smart Growth communities are both responding to a failure in longstanding suburban development patterns. While Smart Growth looks to repair the ills of suburban isolation by harking back to traditional neighborhood design, gated communities takes a more negative approach by insisting that what we've done cannot be repaired, so instead we should retreat by embracing isolation. 

Read the full article here.

Riverhead Councilman plans to run Town vehicles on filtered vegetable oil

According to Riverhead News Review, Riverhead Town Councilman John Dunleavy is trying to run two Town vehicles on filtered vegetable oil to determine how much money could be saved on diesel fuel. There is a company that sells filtered used oil from restaurants for around $1 a gallon, while diesel prices are close to the cost of regular gasoline. A mixture of 3 parts oil to 1 part diesel would effectively run the cars.

Mr. Dunleavy still needs to gain the approval from both the Town Board and the Department of Environmental Conservation before his plan can move forward.

For more information on using vegetable oil to power diesel vehicles, see the League of Conservation Voters' website for more information on this project.

"Brad Pitt Houses" are the newest tourist attractions in New Orleans

The Brad Pitt Houses have arrived, and they are a sight to behold. 

The Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans has been one of the most economically and physically depressed areas of the city as a result of Hurricane Katrina. In 2007, actor Brad Pitt was so frustrated with the government's inaction in New Orleans that he created the Make It Right Foundation. The Foundation hired 13 architecture firms to design 150 affordable, green homes in the Lower Ninth Ward--15 of which are currently occupied. The architecture may have gone a little overboard with the creativity, to the point where the houses do not fit in with the historic character of the neighborhood. The New York Times calls them "sprawling, angular buildings in bold hues not usually seen outside a gelateria."

As residents settle into the colorful, mismatched buildings, the tourism industry has set its sights on the area. Currently, at least two tour bus companies make trips past the houses (though they do not stop to let passengers walk around). 

NY Times author Fred Bernstein wrote, "Indeed, the houses seem better suited to an exhibition of avant-garde architecture than to a neighborhood struggling to recover. A number of designers... lamented the absence of familiar forms that would have comforted returning residents." Though many place-based architects decried the odd houses, suggesting that many more homes would now exist if they were built in context to the neighborhood, they all added that credit is due to Mr. Pitt, who has accomplished what various government agencies have not. Clearly, there is something to be said for the power of private investment. 

For the full story, see the New York Times.

Vote in Chase Community Giving on Facebook

If you're on Facebook, you may have seen mentions of the Chase Community Giving program. Chase is donating $5 million to 100 charities across the United States and Facebook users are voting for the recipients. This is a great opportunity to help out Long Island 501(c)3 organizations. Everyone gets 20 votes and the first round of voting ends on December 11th.

Here's a list of Long Island organizations that we think deserve your vote:

Long Island Fund for Women and Girls
LIFWG funds programs that improve the lives of women and girls, highlights and addresses women's issues and develops women's philanthropy. Their grantmaking program is their primary initiative. This year, they are granting $150,000 to 23 organizations on Long Island to support programs for women and girls. Their annual Gender Equity in Education Conference has close to 200 attendees from LI high schools, community reps, and parents. Their annual signature Women Achiever's Breakfast held each November had over 700 attendees and honored local women achievers and a high school student as well as grantees.

Huntington Arts Council
Since it was founded in 1963, the Huntington Arts Council has inspired and aided in the growth of art organizations and individual artists now flourishing in Suffolk County. Serving as the catalyst for arts advocacy is the essence of our charter at the Huntington Arts Council, a not-for-profit that inspires lives and minds through education, entertainment and intellectual motivation, ensuring each of us a place for expression and creativity. The Council provides many diverse programs and services to more than 600 individual and cultural organization members. More than 80% of its operating budget is dedicated to these programs each year. The Huntington Arts Council has been designated a "Primary Institution" by the New York State Council on the Arts, a title meaning "vital to the cultural life of New York State." The Council is also the official arts coordinating agency for the Town of Huntington, and it serves as the primary regranting agency on Long Island for the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA).

Long Island Traditions, Inc.
Long Island Traditions seeks to identify those people who are carrying on important traditions within their families and communities that have been passed down from generation to generation by examining fishermen and baymen, recent immigrants from Asia and Latin America, and the maritime architecture of our region. LI Traditions has an extensive arts in education program for primary and secondary schools that focuses on the traditional culture of Long Island's ethnic and occupational groups. They work with master traditional artists who have extensive educational experience. Programs offered include maritime ecology and culture, Native and African American culture, and Latino culture. All programs feature local artists.

Long Island Council on Alcoholism
The LI Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence's mission is to address the addictive climate of our times by providing initial attention and referral services to individuals, families, and children, through intervention, education, and professional guidance to overcome the ravages of alcohol and other drug-related problems. This pioneer not-for-profit agency on Long Island has been on a mission to save lives for over fifty years. Our staff is dedicated to helping individuals, families and members of the workplace prevent or recover from alcoholism and/or other drug addictions.

Earth Day New York Incorporated
Earth Day is more than a one-day event or annual environmental wake-up call. It is a catalyst for ongoing education, action and change. It simultaneously broadens the base of support and rekindles old commitments through highly participatory strategies. Earth Day is uniquely positioned to effectively implement public participation and education programs. Broadly recognized and understood, it is a powerful and positive image for the environmental movement. Earth Day New York is a low-overhead, broadly educational non-profit 501(c)3 organization that promotes environmental awareness and solutions through a three-pronged program: 1) involving schools, teachers and students through the Earth Day Education Program; 2) educating public and private policymakers through conferences and publications; and, 3) involving the general public in annual Earth Day events.

Islip Arts Council Inc.
The Islip Arts Council provides a diverse audience with activities that encompass both presentation and service to the Arts field. Its presentations cover a variety of disciplines ranging from fine classical music to young persons’ programs to avant garde “performance art”. The Council services enable existing and emerging Arts Organizations to gain information and assistance from the Arts Council library and staff in applying for not-for-profit status, funding, computer services, publicity, mailing lists, etc. The Arts Council website publicizes the activities of the various Arts Organizations around the Island.

Citizens Campaign for the Environment
Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) works to build widespread citizen understanding and advocacy for policies and actions designed to manage and protect our natural resources and public health. CCE carries out this mission through public education, research, lobbying, organizing and public outreach.

A Midwinter Nights Dream, Inc.
We provide financial support for ALS research facilities such as Project A.L.S, The Robert Packard Center for ALS Research, The ALS Association - Greater NY Chapter, and Columbia University Medical Center. However, we also prove emotional support to all ALS patients. Something unique to A Midwinter Night's Dream is that we have developed a close relationship to our ALS patients.

Urge the Nassau Legislature to vote "YES" on the acquisition of the Banfi Fields

A key component of Smart Growth is preserving open space in situations where development is not appropriate. One such case is the Banfi Fields in Old Brookville. On Monday, December 7th, the Nassau County Legislature plans to vote to acquire the land to protect it from residential development. These rolling agricultural fields, if acquired by Nassau County, will double the amount of locally-grown food available to County residents and ensure that the region's agricultural heritage lives on.

A "yes" vote will ensure that these fields remain in agricultural production and be protected forever.

The North Shore Land Alliance is leading the charge to protect this cherished community space. They are asking for your help to convince the Legislature that this acquisition is important to all of Nassau County. Please take a moment and sign their petition, and forward the petition along to your friends. 

This acquisition will be funded through the proceeds from the 2006 Nassau County Environmental Bond Program, a fund designated for open space acquisition, and the North Shore Land Alliance Conservation Action Fund.

You can sign the petition here. If you have any additional questions, please contact the North Shore Land Alliance at 516-626-0908 or email info@northshorelandalliance.org.

"Meet Me on Main Street" this Saturday in Oyster Bay

The Oyster Bay Main Street Association invites you to the first ever “Meet Me on Main Street” event to be held at Atelier Studio at 9 East Main Street in Oyster Bay this Saturday, December 5, from 6-9pm. Members of the Main Street Association Board of Directors will be on hand for a meet-and-greet, and to talk about the work of the program. Main Street President Ellen Roché, speaking of the event said, “After a successful Annual Meeting in September, many members suggested their desire to get together more often. This is a wonderful opportunity to talk about the work of our organization and to show off our growing arts community downtown.”

The Main Street Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 2001, with the mission to “create and promote a healthy economy and an attractive hamlet, while maintaining historic character and integrity.” For more information, please visit their website.

Please RSVP by Friday, December 4 to 516-922-6982 or oysterbaymsa@gmail.com. Complimentary wine and food will be served. Active and prospective Main Street members are welcome to attend.

Keeping You Informed: Student Job & Internship Fair January 12th

On January 12th, the Long Island Works Coalition will be holding a job & internship fair aimed at drawing high school students from the region and beyond into the workforce.  Hoping to draw up to 1,200 students for both paid and for-credit positions, the Coalition will also be running seminars for all registrants on how to have an effective internship program.

The event will be held at the Huntington Hilton in Melville from 4:30 to 7:30 in the evening and will cost up to $250 for each sponsor except for non-profits, which will only have to pay $100.  Companies interested in this opportunity should contact the Long Island Works Coalition at their registration website or call at 631-843-4010.

Vision Long Island seeks interns

Vision Long Island is seeking unpaid interns. We had such success in the past that we've decided to continue our internship program throughout the year. If you are interested in suburban/urban planning, community development, local government, or sustainability, consider working for us part time during your next semester.

Our staff likes to say we "wear many hats," and interns will have to do the same. Interns will assist with planning, design, outreach, event planning, writing, research, attending meetings, reporting, photography, and more. Bring your unique skill set to the table! We are looking for energetic and conscientious individuals with an interest in planning from a bottom-up perspective. This is a valuable opportunity to work with great people in a small office environment and learn about the issues impacting Long Island.

Note that hours, start date, and end date are all flexible. Although this is an unpaid position, we will gladly work with you to provide college credit. We will also work with you to make sure you have a great experience that is tailored to your specific interests and skill set.

Individuals and universities interested in learning more are encouraged to contact us at info@visionlongisland.org. You are welcome to include a resume and/or letter. Please put "2010 Internships" in the subject heading.

Dickens Festival in Port Jefferson all weekend

This Friday through Sunday, the annual Charles Dickens Festival is taking place in downtown Port Jefferson. There are tons of activities and performances for the whole family, including an international crafts fair, a "Grand Finale Parade" with 30-foot puppets, an old-fashioned marketplace on East Main Street, carriage and trolley rides, a Victorian Christmas tree, music, a lantern-lit house tour of historic homes, costumed characters, shows, refreshments, and more. This is a great way to experience a classic Long Island tradition and enjoy one of our greatest downtowns.

For a full schedule, visit their website.

Old Fashioned Village Christmas in Babylon Friday Night

Tonight, Friday December 4th, from 5-9pm, Main Street in Babylon will be transformed into an Old Fashioned Village Christmas! Don't miss this fabulous family event which is the kick-off to the holiday shopping season. There will be horse drawn carriages, elves, village carolers, choir performances, Holiday cheer, decorations, and, of course, Santa!

As a special bonus, Babylon's downtown shops will be open each Friday night in December and on many Sundays as well, with special holiday savings! The Nathaniel Conklin House will also be open for tours. Rain date is Friday, December 11th.

For more info on this free event, call 631-376-1070 or visit the Babylon Chamber website.

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