Planning group to help revitalize Suffolk downtowns

A Manhattan planning group will continue to help communities in Suffolk County, including Amityville, seen on Oct. 30, 2015, devise strategies to redevelop downtowns and transportation hubs, officials said. Credit: Danielle Finkelstein
A Manhattan-based planning group will continue to help communities in Suffolk County devise strategies aimed at redeveloping downtowns and transportation hubs, officials said last week.
The county’s Industrial Development Agency approved spending up to $100,000 next year on services from the Regional Plan Association.
The money will come from IDA fees, not tax dollars.
Since 2013, the IDA has paid $300,000 for RPA to work with several communities, including Lindenhurst, Amityville, Smithtown, Kings Park and Babylon Town.
Most now have completed plans that, if implemented, could remove blight, bring more people to downtowns and create housing near Long Island Rail Road stations.
IDA Deputy Executive Director Kelly Morris said the agency has received positive feedback from local leaders about RPA.
IDA Vice Chairman Grant Hendricks said he hopes that communities will now turn the plans into reality.

Sarra Sounds Off Ep. 35: EI baseball, girls lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse.

Sarra Sounds Off Ep. 35: EI baseball, girls lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse.




