Hempstead Town Initiative Closes Down Streets To Open Businesses

WANTAGH, NY — Town of Hempstead officials hve unveiled an initiative to encourage temporary street closures to help promote outdoor dining in a safe and social distanced manner during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

"Operation Downtown" will begin Thursday, July 23. The Wantagh Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its first street closure Thursday along Railroad Avenue and Grove Street, just east of Wantagh Avenue and north of Sunrise Highway. The popular hub of restaurants and businesses will be closed to vehicular traffic on Thursdays from July 23 through October 29 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. until further notice.

The initiative was announced Tuesday by Supervisor Don Clavin, Councilman Chris Carini and Town Clerk Kate Murray in front of Mulcahy's Pub and Concert Hall. They were joined by Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll, Wantagh Chamber of Commerce President Cathy McGrory Powell and Mulcahy’s Owner John Murray, Jr.

“Reopening our economy is so critical to the future of America’s largest township,” Carini said. “By encouraging street closures and promoting outdoor dining, we’re doing our part to assist business owners as they adjust to the changes spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m proud to stand here today with the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce to launch ‘Operation Downtown’ and I look forward to seeing families enjoying Thursday evenings here in downtown Wantagh for the rest of the summer season.”

The application for the initiative, which was approved by the Hempstead Town Clerk’s office this week, includes the Chamber’s certification that it will comply with the current Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and the New York State Governor’s Executive Orders. The application also required approval from the Nassau County Police Department and the Wantagh Fire Department.

“It truly has been a pleasure working with the dedicated members of the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce to make this a reality,” Kate Murray said. “Along with Supervisor Don Clavin and Councilman Chris Carini, this is a result of teamwork comprising town officials and business leaders, and we’re confident this will act as a model for other communities to participate in this program as well.”

Clavin, Carini and Murray have been in contact with other Chambers to take part in “Operation Downtown.” Chambers and business organizations are encouraged to inquire about the street closure permits by calling the Hempstead Town Clerk’s office at 516-812-3025.

The Town of Hempstead was the first in the region to launch an outdoor dining initiative to allow for restaurant owners to create or expand outdoor seating in an effort to generate business as the county undergoes phased-in reopening under the guidance of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state health officials.

“We hope that this ‘Operation Downtown’ provides an economic boost to local businesses and also provides local families with safe dining and recreation options during the summer and early fall months,” Clavin said. “We encourage Chambers and business organizations in other communities to participate in this program and consider a street closure in their downtowns. We may be closing down the street but we are certainly open for business!”