Lindenhurst Awarded $4.5 Million For Downtown Upgrades

LINDENHURST, NY — The Village of Lindenhurst has been awarded $4.5 million as part of the state's NY Forward revitalization program.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the Village, as well as the City of Long Beach, were declared the winners of the initiative to support a more equitable downtown decovery for New York's smaller and rural communities.

The funding will to support and make upgrades to the Village's downtown area.

"Our downtowns create a vital economic lifeline for so many of our smaller communities to thrive, flourish, and reach their full potential," Governor Hochul said. "As we continue to assist New York businesses recover from the pandemic, we are executing an equitable plan with NY Forward to uplift our business districts utilizing the successful blueprint of our Downtown Revitalization Initiative."

Each NY Forward community will develop a strategic investment plan to revitalize its downtown through a slate of readily implementable projects. They may include building renovation and redevelopment, new construction or creation of new or improved public spaces and other projects that elevate specific cultural, historical qualities that enhance the feeling of small-town charm.

State Senator Alexis Weik said that Mayor Mike Lavorata, Village Trustee, RJ Renna and assistant to the Village Board, Katie McCaffrey, have worked hard to garner support to bring these funds to their village.

"The Mayor has brought many new family friendly changes to the village, like removing an abandoned building to create a village square park, a gathering place for concerts, family-fun events and New Year's Eve festivities," she said. "They have their sights set on possibly acquiring and removing an old court house to increase that small-town charm that has become Lindenhurst. These funds will bring so much more to the charming village and certainly make it a destination."

To spur economic growth, the Village has already engaged in numerous planning efforts, including creating a downtown redevelopment district floating zone to encourage residential and mixed-use development and redevelopment on sites within walking distance of the LIRR and the central business district, a release said.

The timing of the award also comes at a time of celebration, as the Village celebrates its centennial anniversary this year.

"The Village of Lindenhurst is thrilled to receive this grant award," said Mayor Lavorata. This is truly a historical event for us in our Centennial year and as we look forward to our next 100 years."