Cuomo Announces Plans For $10M Revitalization Grant

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY - One year after receiving a multi-million grant, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that seven projects have been scheduled in Central Islip as part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative award.

Last August, the community was named the Long Island winner of the third round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

"I am so proud of our Town and certainly Central Islip-today even more so as we see long-awaited investments come to life," Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter said.

On Wednesday, Cuomo announced that the money will go towards several projects that will promote transit development and downtown revitalization near the Central Islip LIRR station.

"As part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, Central Islip will be able to further diversify its already growing economy through increased access to transportation and the redevelopment of mixed-used spaces," Cuomo said. "This thriving community will serve as an example to other cities for how targeted investments can enhance opportunities and quality of life."

Central Islip is a diverse economic and residential community with more than one-third of its population represented by ethnic minorities.

According to Cuomo, as a result of this diversified economy and workforce and increasing residential population, downtown Central Islip is on the "verge of becoming a vibrant transit-oriented epicenter for the entire Islip community."

"Central Islip has seen significant investment over the last couple decades with housing and recreational complexes," Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said. "We're building on that growth by funding projects as part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative that will make needed infrastructure upgrades, streetscape improvements, and add housing and retail for residents. We are focused on revitalizing the area by supporting economic development that creates jobs, continues to attract businesses, and strengthens the economy of Long Island."

Central Islip developed a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize its downtown using $300,000 in planning funds from the $10 million grant.

A local planning committee made up of municipal representatives, community leaders, and other stakeholders led the effort, supported by a team of private sector experts and state planners.

The Strategic Investment Plan for downtown Central Islip looked at local assets and opportunities to find economic development, transportation, housing, and community projects that align with the community's vision for downtown revitalization.

"Central Islip is now on the cusp of great things and we are all excited to see these projects come to fruition," Senator Monica Martinez said.

The specific projects to be funded through the $10 million award include:

• Enhance the Pedestrian Experience in the Downtown Corridor: Install streetscape improvements along Carleton Avenue between Suffolk Avenue and Smith Street to enhance pedestrian safety and experience of the corridor, and to strengthen connections between downtown and other community resources. Improvements include corridor-wide amenities, as well as site-specific lighting, signage and trees defining a northern gateway to the corridor; a new Clayton Place Plaza adjacent to the fire department; and lighting at additional key locations.
• Install Infrastructure along Carleton Avenue: Introduce a sewer system in downtown Central Islip to eliminate current limitations to the area's development and support a more varied and vibrant mix of commercial activities, including 'wet uses' like restaurants. This project consists of installing new sewer line along Carleton Avenue between Suffolk Avenue and Smith Street, promoting dense, mixed-use development along the corridor and laying the foundation for future investment.
• Redevelop Site of Former Train Station into a Mixed-Use Development: Transform the site of a former Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) station into a transit-friendly, mixed-use development providing community members with affordable and market-rate apartments, retail space, a cultural facility, and a public plaza - all accessible from the current LIRR station. DRI funds will help the Town of Islip secure a developer for the site and offset costs associated with site acquisition, on-site improvements, vertical construction, parking, and gap financing.
• Create a Central Islip History Trail: Celebrate Central Islip's history by developing a five-mile hiking and biking trail extending from the Federal Courthouse to the Historic Heines Homestead, with interpretive signage at historic sites along the way, encouraging historical tourism and active lifestyles. DRI funds will be used for trail costs within the DRI area, such as signage identifying six downtown sites, audio/phone enhancement, and distance markers.
• Construct a Downtown Mixed-Use Development: Construct a 26,000 square foot mixed-use multi-story building at 108 and 110 Carleton Avenue with ground-floor retail or commercial use and upper-story affordable apartments, parking, providing opportunities for downtown living, enabling new commercial uses, and increasing foot traffic.
• Create a Mixed-Use Development on a Prominent Downtown Corner: Build a two-story, mixed-use building on a highly visible corner of the corridor at 69 and 75 Carleton Avenue to provide opportunities for new commercial uses, parking, a mix of studio and one-bedroom residences for a multi-generational community, and a downtown destination for visitors and residents.
• Establish a Commercial Property Improvement Fund: Establish a grant program supporting the rehabilitation and improvement of buildings within the DRI area to support owners' and merchants' investment in the Carleton Avenue area, shift perception of the corridor, and attract new businesses, activities, and customers. Potential projects include façade enhancement, signage, or interior fit-out improvements.

"These investments are smart in that they are targeted and structured to support further growth for our community," Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said.