Curran Asks Feds For $500 Million In Stimulus For Projects

NASSAU COUTNY, NY — On Tuesday, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran announced details of a federal stimulus proposal the county is submitting to request more than half a billion dollars for 12 projects around the county, which would create more than 3,300 full-time jobs.

Curran's proposal requests $583 million from the federal government for infrastructure projects around the county, and is part of the county executive's pandemic economic recovery plan. The advancement of the projects would create thousands of jobs and more than $400 million in economic output, Curran said.

“I am calling on our federal representatives to approve this infrastructure stimulus package to help us build back a county that is stronger than ever,” said Curran. “Infrastructure investments are the foundation of our economic recovery — and essential to getting thousands of people back to work. The construction industry was hit hard by the pandemic with over 37,000 jobs lost on Long Island. Delays to infrastructure improvements are costly and have a rippling effect on our economy — when roads and bridges are poor, shipments of products are slower, vacant storefronts are harder to fill and employees have a more difficult time getting to work. Robust federal stimulus is vital to preventing further economic catastrophe.”

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic and limited access to financial markets, the county’s 2021-24 Capital Plan is constrained. In some cases, large scale infrastructure improvements that are ready to award and commence in early 2021 were postponed to late 2021 and beyond in order to lessen short-term financing needs to support the capital plan.

Delaying the award of these construction projects would delay the creation of construction jobs associated with them and the economic multiplier effect that also benefits the Nassau County and regional economy, Curran said.

“Due to the unprecedented fiscal constraints of the pandemic, progress on several critical infrastructure projects in Nassau County has been on hold,” said Congresswoman Kathleen Rice. “But as we continue to fight this virus, investments in our infrastructure will be essential for getting people back to work again. I commend County Executive Curran’s leadership on this front, and I support her call for a federal stimulus. I will continue fighting in Congress for the resources Nassau County needs to get through this crisis.”

Projects outlined in Curran’s proposal include:

1. Family & Matrimonial Court Phase Two: $102,925,000 – 478 Jobs
   • Phase two work will consist of interior construction of new courtrooms, hearing rooms and office space, as well as new mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, security systems, landscaping and site improvements. The renovation will also include dedicated space for a Family Justice Center.
2. Bayville Bridge Rehabilitation Program: $13,706,806 – 110 Jobs
3. Bay Park Conveyance Project: $394,028,000 – 2,293 Jobs
   • Curran called it the most significant environmental investment to be made on Long Island in many decades, helping to clean our waterways, restore marshland, improve shell-fishing, and increase storm resilience. It will also translate into a tremendous economic boost for the region. Stimulus funding would offset long-term county debt in excess of $350 million.
4. Baldwin Complete Streets: $3,000,000 – 45 Jobs
   • This project that would enhance the ongoing downtown revitalization efforts being conducted together with the Town of Hempstead and other community organizations. It consists of pedestrian and traffic safety improvements, lane reduction/modifications, intersection realignment, curb bump-outs, new crosswalks and signals.
   • These complete streets improvements will support several planned developments in downtown Baldwin, consisting of mixed-use and multi-family housing.
5. Austin Boulevard Road Improvement, Island Park: $8,978,689 – 81 Jobs
   • This project will take a comprehensive and innovative approach to improving the 1.4 mile stretch of Austin Boulevard in Island Park and Barnum Island. Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) including cameras, driver feedback signs for speed awareness and variable message signs will also be installed along the corridor to facilitate traffic flow and emergency evacuations. The roadway construction will improve pedestrian and vehicle safety, and drainage and storm resiliency improvements, to create a safer and more sustainable corridor.
6. Police Academy Tactical Village: $6,000,000 – 27 Jobs
   • The village will replicate a series of structures common on Long Island, such as a residential dwelling, small office, and gas station, where training can be carried out under real-world conditions.
7. Nassau Hub Bus Rapid Transit Phase 1: $2,875,000 – 13 Jobs
8. Manorhaven Boulevard, Manorhaven Road Improvements: $3,853,000 – 19 Jobs
9. West Broadway Road Improvements: $15,500,000 – 72 Jobs
10. Centennial Park Improvements: $2,680,000 – 12 Jobs
11. Cedar Creek Electrical Distribution Project: $9,480,051 – 50 Jobs
12. Park Street/Beech Street Drainage Improvements: $20,000,000 – 116 Jobs

“The effects of this pandemic have been cruelly uneven. While some individuals and businesses remain unscathed or even better off, others have been completely devastated,” said Congressman Tom Suozzi. “And with thousands of Long Islanders in need of work, what better way to create jobs for hardworking men and women than rebuilding our region’s infrastructure. We cannot, in good conscience, leave DC before the holidays without a relief package and when we come back after the inauguration of the new president, the first priority must be creating a robust infrastructure program for the nation. We must provide federal funding to help New Yorkers get back to work.”