Hicksville Downtown Gets $150K For Transit-Focused Projects

HICKSVILLE, NY — Oyster Bay town officials are receiving $150,000 in transit-focused grant money that will support pedestrian safety infrastructure and streetscape efforts near the Long Island Rail Road train station in Hicksville. Laura Curran, the county executive, on Friday announced the winners of the county's first transit-oriented development funding competition. The money is meant to help restore downtown areas and develop more walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods near public transit.

Just over $1 million was allocated to the new grant program, which was created in October. While the county said it received a robust number of applications from grant-seekers, seven municipalities were selected as winners: Long Beach, the towns of North Hempstead, Oyster Bay and Hempstead, and the villages of Freeport, Farmingdale and Hempstead. Each will receive $150,000, officials said.

Here's how officials plan to use the money in Hicksville.

• Support a project at the center of Hicksville's downtown section that surrounds a multimodal center with the train station and Nassau Inter-County Express bus stops.
• Projects will make improve pedestrian safety and make it easier for pedestrians to walk to parking and other amenities.
• Improve the aesthetics of the area, including through benches, planters, lighting and more.
• Hicksville is reviewing its local zoning laws to allow more density in its downtown area. The project will help the town prepare for future expected construction.

The money comes from the federal Community Development Block Grant program that Nassau County receives each year. The initiative seeks to help ease project costs and promote development that best uses housing, business and public open space within walking distance of public transportation.

Curran said pedestrian safety improvements, traffic-calming and parking access are necessary as Main Street business districts grow.

"We must continue to capitalize on New York State’s investments in the LIRR and push our towns, villages and local developers to build ideal destinations for commuters and residents that attract the next generation and boost our local economy," Curran said.

Funding applications for the grants were reviewed by the county's Office of Community Development, which sussed out whether the proposals would encourage development that improve access to public transportation and promote sustainable growth.

Joseph Saladino, supervisor of the Town of Oyster Bay, called downtown Hicksville a "prime location" for transit-oriented development and revitalization. He called its "continued renaissance" a cornerstone of his administration's achievements.

"I thank Nassau County for investing federal money in the downtown as these funds will assist us with pedestrian safety improvements and beautification initiatives," Saladino said in a statement.

The projects all had to be eligible for the block grant, officials said, and they had to meet certain low- and moderate-income criteria. Furthermore, the projects must be completed within two years of the funding deal.