Port Washington Awarded $270K to Develop GIS Mapping Program

Town of North Hempstead announced Monday that it has been named the recipient of four New York State Regional Economic Development Council Initiative awards, totaling $757,950.

These awards will address projects across the Town, including the development of a consolidated GIS mapping program in Port Washington

Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth said the funding will serve as an economic engine for the town.

“These grants will enable the Town to address several environmental initiatives that are critically important to the Town’s environmental health, as well as other projects that will improve our infrastructure and enhance our communities,” she said in a press release.

These awards are among the $2 billion in economic grants announced this week by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

North Hempstead provided additional information on their awards:

$270,000 for a Joint Municipal Asset Mapping Project

The Town and the Village of Port Washington will work together to develop a consolidated GIS mapping program that will digitize roadways, sidewalks, curbs, catch basins, street signs, hydrants, street lighting and trees. This will create a central repository for all surface features that can be used as a tool to track location, condition, and age of assets as well as measure asset life cycles, maintenance costs and depreciation.

$316,250 for a North Hempstead Storm Water Mapping Project

The Town will conduct a comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping on behalf of the Town and 20 villages within the Town’s borders and the village of Sea Cliff. The project will generate a “Surface Water Priority Action Zone” to support policymaking and capital planning and create a GIS attribute layer that identifies and characterizes septic systems to support municipal efforts to inspect septic systems that may be contributing to water quality impairments. The project will address water quality in Little Neck Bay, Manhasset Bay and Hempstead Harbor.

$122,200 for an Environmental Master Plan

The Town will prepare an environmental master plan which will include planning for surface and groundwater protection, habitat (preservation, restoration and enhancement) and climate change strategies. It will also include conceptual designs for an environmental and waterfront recreational area comprised of 83 acres of beach parks with approximately 6,000 feet of shoreline, 200 acres of wetlands and meadow habitat.

$49,500 for a North Hempstead Cultural Master Plan

This plan will assist the Town to prioritize arts initiatives, support traditionally underserved talent pools and raise the visibility of local artists to a platform beyond the community level.