Long Beach Awarded $4.5 Million For Downtown Upgrades

LONG BEACH, NY —The City of Long Beach has been awarded $4.5 million as part of the state's NY Forward revitalization program.

The funding is to support and make upgrades to the downtown area.

Specifically, Long Beach seeks to enhance its downtown's status as a major regional destination by expanding an initiative to make Park Avenue Central Business District, friendlier for pedestrians and bikers. Other plans include promoting transit-oriented development and growing existing and new local businesses.

State Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said: "Long Beach has a long and storied history as a vibrant and beautiful seaside community by the shores of the Atlantic. The receipt of NY Forward funds will be an important catalyst to help further revitalize the downtown area of the City by the Sea.

Long Beach will now begin the process of developing Strategic Investment Plans to revitalize its downtown.

"Home to 35,000 residents and a major destination for visitors in the summer, a thriving business district is key to Long Beach's success," Long Beach City Council President John Bendo said. "With this historic investment, we can now focus on a much-needed renewal of our central business district, to meet the needs of our residents and visitors alike."