Amityville Plans Improvements To The Triangle

AMITYVILLE, NY — Amityville received a $1.5 million JumpSMART grant from Suffolk County, and Mayor Dennis Siry thinks it's the perfect holiday gift to complement the village's $10 million downtown revitalization initiative.

The $1.5 million will be used to make improvements to Triangle Park — a focal point in the heart of the village at Broadway and Park Avenue — and create a type of village square/pedestrian plaza on Greene Avenue.

That's one of the projects proposed but not picked by state officials when Amityville won one of New York's highly sought after $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grants to improve its downtown.

"This is perfect," Siry told Patch. "It definitely ties in."

Amityville has undertaken 11 transformational projects under the DRI to enhance walkability and transit access, expand small businesses and housing opportunities to promote growth of the downtown as a transit-oriented center.

Projects to enhance connectivity, walkability, transit access and beautification include:

• Implementing a series of roadway and pedestrian realm improvements on Broadway from Sterling Place to Ireland Place, as well as Avon Place to West Smith
• Upgrading the LIRR station entrances and connections to create more welcoming arrival for passengers, as well as clear, safe pedestrian connections between the station, downtown shops and new residential development.
• Developing and installing distinctive Village way finding signage to enhance the appearance of the downtown and improve the pedestrian experience.

Projects to expand small business and housing opportunities include:

• Developing a mixed-use building at 21 Greene Avenue, the former Village Hall, to increase the building size and add eight residential units and a mural honoring Amityville's history.
• Implementing a commercial storefront revitalization fund to renovate building exteriors within the DRI area.
• Rehabilitating a professional office building at 137-157 Broadway, to honor historic design character and positively contribute to the overall aesthetics of the Village.
• Restoring Losi's Corner with Hook & Ladder No.1 Building
• Renovating 140a Broadway into a mixed-use dining and office building
• Creating a new eatery at 217 Broadway and generating new employment opportunities
• Establishing an artists' studio at 187 Broadway
• Installing an outdoor beer garden at 136 Broadway

The traffic and walkability studies have been completed, Siri said, with a few options to choose from. Village officials are reviewing them with the expectation of making a decision by January.

All the applications are in for the facade revitalization project, and village officials chose Vision Long Island to coordinate outreach.

"It's like painting your house — the most important part is all the prep work, though people don't see the prep work," Siry said.